---
title: MS-LS4-6 Lesson Plans | Adaptation of Populations over Time
description: "MS-LS4-6: Adaptation of Populations over Time Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time."
image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png
---

[![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b)

[Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin)

[![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/)

# MS-LS4-6: Adaptation of Populations over Time

Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time.

[![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6)

 Science & Engineering Practices

- [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models)
- [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations)
- [Analyzing and interpreting data](https://www.knowatom.com/analyzing-and-interpreting-data)
- [Using mathematics and computational thinking](https://www.knowatom.com/using-mathematics-and-computational-thinking)
- [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions)
- [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence)
- [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information)

 Disciplinary Core Ideas

- [Inheritance of Traits](https://www.knowatom.com/inheritance-of-traits)
- [Natural Selection](https://www.knowatom.com/natural-selection)

 Crosscutting Concepts

- [Structure and Function](https://www.knowatom.com/structure-and-function)
- [Interdependence of Science Engineering and Technology](https://www.knowatom.com/interdependence-of-science-engineering-and-technology)
- [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect)

[![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f)

## Browse MS-LS4-6 Lesson Plans

Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8

<https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/natural-selection>

[![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-09-2023-07-13-15-5068-AM.png) 

](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/natural-selection)

## [Natural Selection In this unit, students figure out the interconnectedness of genetics, heredity, and evolution. For this lesson, students create an experiment to observe the phenomenon of natural selection determining which organisms are most likely to survive and pass on their traits. This page showcases parts of key components of the lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/natural-selection)

[ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/natural-selection)

Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.

![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")

Quick Links

Resources

Sign Up for Our Blog

### Sign Up for Our Blog

Connect with Us

- <https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom/>
- <https://twitter.com/KnowAtom>
- <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA>
- <https://www.knowatom.com/teaching-phenomena/rss.xml>

© 2026 KnowAtom LLC  •  10 Brady Drive Unit 3   •  Ipswich MA •   01938 USA

[DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION](https://www.knowatom.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.knowatom.com/privacy-policy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.knowatom.com/terms-of-use)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "Organization",
  "address" : {
    "@type" : "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry" : "USA",
    "addressLocality" : "Salem",
    "addressRegion" : "MA",
    "postalCode" : "01970",
    "streetAddress" : "27 Congress Suite 410"
  },
  "alternateName" : "KA",
  "areaServed" : {
    "@type" : "GeoCircle",
    "geoMidpoint" : {
      "@type" : "GeoCoordinates",
      "latitude" : "+42.5182274",
      "longitude" : "-70.8877569"
    },
    "geoRadius" : "150 km"
  },
  "description" : "Next Generation Science STEM Curriculum",
  "email" : "fvigeant@knowatom.com",
  "image" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KA-GSD.png",
  "logo" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Knowatom-2017/Image/logo-1.png",
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.knowatom.com/ms-ls4-6",
    "@type" : "WebPage",
    "description" : "MS-LS4-6: Adaptation of Populations over Time Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time."
  },
  "name" : "KnowAtom",
  "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom", "https://twitter.com/KnowAtom", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA", "https://plus.google.com/110709105138117096940" ],
  "telephone" : "(617) 475-3475",
  "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com"
}
```