Earth and Space Science
MS-ESS2-3
Evidence of past plate motion
Performance expectation
Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of past plate motions.
Clarification
Examples include matching rock and fossil types, continental shelves, ridges, fracture zones, and trenches.
Assessment boundary
Paleomagnetic anomalies in oceanic and continental crust are not assessed.
SEP
Practice
- Analyzing and Interpreting Data
DCI
Core idea
- ESS1.C
- ESS2.B
CCC
Reasoning lens
- Patterns
Evidence map
Rooms connected to MS-ESS2-3.
“Primary” means the chapter includes an observable performance and assessable artifact for this expectation; “supporting” builds context.
Connections recorded in the official model
ELA/literacy: RST.6–8.1, RST.6–8.7, RST.6–8.9
Mathematics: MP.2, 6.EE.6, 7.EE.4
California Environmental Principles and Concepts: III
Verified 2026-07-29. Open the official California source.