MS-ESS2-2    Earth's Systems

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

MS-ESS2-2. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how processes change Earth’s surface at time and spatial scales that can be large (such as slow plate motions or the uplift of large mountain ranges) or small (such as rapid landslides or microscopic geochemical reactions), and how many geoscience processes (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and meteor impacts) usually behave gradually but are punctuated by catastrophic events. Examples of geoscience processes include surface weathering and deposition by the movements of water, ice, and wind. Emphasis is on geoscience processes that shape local geographic features, where appropriate.]
The performance expectation above was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to include constructing explanations and designing solutions supported by multiple sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

ESS2.A: Earth’s Materials and Systems

ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes

Crosscutting Concepts

Scale Proportion and Quantity

Connections to other DCIs in this grade band:

MS.PS1.B ; MS.LS2.B

Articulation of DCIs across grade-bands:

4.ESS1.C ; 4.ESS2.A ; 4.ESS2.E ; 5.ESS2.A ; HS.PS3.D ; HS.LS2.B ; HS.ESS1.C ; HS.ESS2.A ; HS.ESS2.B ; HS.ESS2.C ; HS.ESS2.D ; HS.ESS2.E ; HS.ESS3.D

Common Core State Standards Connections:

ELA/Literacy -
RST.6-8.1Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts. (MS-ESS2-2)
WHST.6-8.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. (MS-ESS2-2)
SL.8.5Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest. (MS-ESS2-2)
Mathematics -
MP.2Reason abstractly and quantitatively. (MS-ESS2-2)
6.EE.B.6Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a real-world or mathematical problem; understand that a variable can represent an unknown number, or, depending on the purpose at hand, any number in a specified set. (MS-ESS2-2)
7.EE.B.4Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and construct simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities. (MS-ESS2-2)

MS-ESS2-2    Earth's Systems

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

MS-ESS2-2. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how processes change Earth’s surface at time and spatial scales that can be large (such as slow plate motions or the uplift of large mountain ranges) or small (such as rapid landslides or microscopic geochemical reactions), and how many geoscience processes (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and meteor impacts) usually behave gradually but are punctuated by catastrophic events. Examples of geoscience processes include surface weathering and deposition by the movements of water, ice, and wind. Emphasis is on geoscience processes that shape local geographic features, where appropriate.]
The performance expectation above was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to include constructing explanations and designing solutions supported by multiple sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

ESS2.A: Earth’s Materials and Systems

ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes

Crosscutting Concepts

Scale Proportion and Quantity

Connections to other DCIs in this grade band:

MS.PS1.B ; MS.LS2.B

Articulation of DCIs across grade-bands:

4.ESS1.C ; 4.ESS2.A ; 4.ESS2.E ; 5.ESS2.A ; HS.PS3.D ; HS.LS2.B ; HS.ESS1.C ; HS.ESS2.A ; HS.ESS2.B ; HS.ESS2.C ; HS.ESS2.D ; HS.ESS2.E ; HS.ESS3.D

Common Core State Standards Connections:

ELA/Literacy -
RST.6-8.1Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts. (MS-ESS2-2)
WHST.6-8.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. (MS-ESS2-2)
SL.8.5Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest. (MS-ESS2-2)
Mathematics -
MP.2Reason abstractly and quantitatively. (MS-ESS2-2)
6.EE.B.6Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a real-world or mathematical problem; understand that a variable can represent an unknown number, or, depending on the purpose at hand, any number in a specified set. (MS-ESS2-2)
7.EE.B.4Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and construct simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities. (MS-ESS2-2)

MS-ESS2-2    Earth's Systems

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

MS-ESS2-2. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how processes change Earth’s surface at time and spatial scales that can be large (such as slow plate motions or the uplift of large mountain ranges) or small (such as rapid landslides or microscopic geochemical reactions), and how many geoscience processes (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and meteor impacts) usually behave gradually but are punctuated by catastrophic events. Examples of geoscience processes include surface weathering and deposition by the movements of water, ice, and wind. Emphasis is on geoscience processes that shape local geographic features, where appropriate.]
The performance expectation above was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to include constructing explanations and designing solutions supported by multiple sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

ESS2.A: Earth’s Materials and Systems

ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes

Crosscutting Concepts

Scale Proportion and Quantity

Connections to other DCIs in this grade band:

MS.PS1.B ; MS.LS2.B

Articulation of DCIs across grade-bands:

4.ESS1.C ; 4.ESS2.A ; 4.ESS2.E ; 5.ESS2.A ; HS.PS3.D ; HS.LS2.B ; HS.ESS1.C ; HS.ESS2.A ; HS.ESS2.B ; HS.ESS2.C ; HS.ESS2.D ; HS.ESS2.E ; HS.ESS3.D

Common Core State Standards Connections:

ELA/Literacy -
RST.6-8.1Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts. (MS-ESS2-2)
WHST.6-8.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. (MS-ESS2-2)
SL.8.5Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest. (MS-ESS2-2)
Mathematics -
MP.2Reason abstractly and quantitatively. (MS-ESS2-2)
6.EE.B.6Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a real-world or mathematical problem; understand that a variable can represent an unknown number, or, depending on the purpose at hand, any number in a specified set. (MS-ESS2-2)
7.EE.B.4Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and construct simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities. (MS-ESS2-2)

* The performance expectations marked with an asterisk integrate traditional science content with engineering through a Practice or Disciplinary Core Idea.

The section entitled “Disciplinary Core Ideas” is reproduced verbatim from A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Cross-Cutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. Integrated and reprinted with permission from the National Academy of Sciences.

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Related Evidence Statements
MS-ESS2-2-1 Evidence Statements
Related Quality Units
Middle School: OpenSciEd Unit 6.4: How and Why Does Earth’s Surface Change?
Related Example Bundles
Middle School Phenomenon Model Course 1: Bundle 1
Middle School Phenomenon Model Course 2: Bundle 1
Middle School Topic Model Course 2: Bundle 3

How to Read the Standards

The standards integrate three dimensions within each standard and have intentional connections across standards. More...