Science - Grade Four   (#5020050)

Version for Academic Year:
loading spinner
Export Print Create CMAP Create CMAP

Course Standards

General Course Information and Notes

General Notes

Special Notes:

Instructional Practices
Teaching from a range of complex text is optimized when teachers in all subject areas implement the following strategies on a routine basis:
  1. Ensuring wide reading from complex text that varies in length.
  2. Making close reading and rereading of texts central to lessons.
  3. Emphasizing text-specific complex questions, and cognitively complex tasks, reinforce focus on the text and cultivate independence.
  4. Emphasizing students supporting answers based upon evidence from the text.
  5. Providing extensive research and writing opportunities (claims and evidence).
Additional content addressed on the Grade 4 NAEP Science assessment includes:
  • Earth materials have properties that make them useful in solving human problems and enhancing the quality of life. (SC.6.E.6.2)
  • The Sun warms the land, air, and water and helps plants grow. (SC.3.E.6.1;SC.3.L.17.2)
  • Weather changes from day to day and during the seasons. (SC.2.E.7.1)
  • Scientists use tools for observing, recording, and predicting weather changes. (SC.5.E.7.3; SC.5.E.7.4)
  • Plants and animals have life cycles. (SC.2.L.16.1)
  • Environment changes impact organism survival and reproduction. (SC.5.L.15.1)
  • Organisms need food, water, air, and shelter. (SC.1.L.17.1)
  • Some objects are composed of a single substance; others are composed of more than one substance. (SC.5.P.8.3)
  • Heat (thermal energy) results when substances burn, materials rub against each other, and electricity flows though wires. (SC.3.P.11.2)
  • Metals are conductors of heat and electricity. (SC.3.P.11.2)
  • Increasing the temperature of any substance requires the addition of energy.
  • Electricity flowing through an electrical circuit produces magnetic effects in the wires. Energy is transferred to the surroundings as light, sound, and heat (thermal energy). (SC.5.P.11.1; SC.5.P.11.2)
The NAEP frameworks for Science may be accessed at http://www.nagb.org/publications/frameworks/science-09.pdf

General Information

Course Number: 5020050
Course Path:
Section: Grades PreK to 12 Education Courses > Grade Group: Grades PreK to 5 Education Courses > Subject: Science > SubSubject: General Sciences >
Abbreviated Title: SCIENCE GRADE FOUR
Course Length: Year (Y)
Course Type: Core Academic Course
Course Status: Course Approved
Grade Level(s): 4

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this course.

Original Student Tutorials

Space and the Florida Frontier: Part 3 Partners in Exploration:

Learn about the impact of the growth and development of space exploration on the culture and economy of Florida and how the inclusion of private partners helped reach new goals with this interactive tutorial.

This is part 3 in a three-part series. Click below to view the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Space and the Florida Frontier: Part 2 The Space Shuttle Era:

Learn how the Space Shuttle program revived the area near Cape Canaveral, Florida, and how the possibility of living in space on the Space Station brought new jobs and excitement with this interactive tutorial.

This is part 2 in a three-part series. Click below to view the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Space and the Florida Frontier: Part 1 To the Moon:

Learn about the early days of NASA, the work at Cape Canaveral during the Moon missions, and how this work affected the people and economy of Florida with this interactive tutorial.

This is part 1 in a three-part series. Click below to view the other tutorials in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Thermal Conductors and Insulators:

Explore thermal energy and identify materials that allow thermal energy to transfer through them easily and materials that do not with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Working Together to Protect the Gopher Tortoise:

Explore how the Gopher Tortoise, a keystone species in Florida, is at risk due to human impact on the environment and learn what is being done to help the Gopher Tortoise with this interactive tutorial

Type: Original Student Tutorial

The Phases of the Moon:

Use observations to discover how the moon's appearance changes during a lunar cycle and learn the names of the moon's phases in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Maya's Tackle Box: Tackling Physical Properties:

Explore how objects can be compared and sorted based on their physical properties in this fishing-themed, interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Keeping A Science Notebook:

Practice distinguishing between observations and inferences that are based on observations as you help Darius fill in his science notebook in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

The Empire of Evidence: COVID-19:

Learn to discriminate between observations and inferences in scientific investigations, explore the importance of objectivity in science, classify different scientific methods, and distinguish empirical evidence from ideas and feelings within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Earth In Motion Part2: Rotation:

Explore how Earth rotates (spins) on its axis as it moves through space in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Earth in Motion Part 1: Revolution:

Explore how Earth revolves around the Sun in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 1 in a two-part series. Click  to open Part 2.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Game On Part Two: Measuring Distance with Customary Units:

Learn to convert a larger customary measurement unit into equivalent smaller units, including converting miles to yards and feet in this sports-themed interactive tutorial.

This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Click HERE to open Part 1: Measuring Length with Customary Units.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Game On Part One: Measuring Length with Customary Units:

Learn to convert a larger customary measurement unit into equivalent smaller units, including converting yards to feet and inches, in this sports-themed interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Did I Know How to Wink, Or Did My Parents Teach Me? Part 2 - Learned Behaviors:

Explore learned animal behaviors and the differences between hereditary and learned behaviors in this interactive tutorial.

This is part 2 of a two-part series. Click to open Part 1, which focuses on hereditary behaviors in animals. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

The Flu and You: Part 2:

Discover what a virus is, actions that cause viruses like the flu to spread from one person to another, and strategies to decrease the spread of viruses to others.

This interactive tutorial is part 2 in a two-part series. Click to open part 1.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

The Flu and You: Part 1:

Discover what a virus is, actions that cause viruses like the flu to spread from one person to another, and strategies to decrease the spread of viruses to others.

This interactive tutorial is part 1 in a two-part series. Click to open part 2.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Did I Know How to Blink, Or Did My Parents Teach Me? – Part 1 Hereditary Behaviors:

Learn how animal behaviors may be shaped by heredity and learning and how to distinguish between the two types of behavior in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Healthy Distance: Social Distancing Measurement Conversions:

Learn why it's sometimes important to use social distancing to reduce the spread of germs and how to estimate and convert this customary distance with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Natural Resources Part 3: Water:

Learn about the natural resources all around us in this interactive science tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Natural Resources Part 2: Material Use:

Learn about important natural resources, including limestone, silicon, and phosphate in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Let's Go Dipnetting!:

Compare the methods and results various groups have when they search for amphibians in an ephemeral wetland in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Natural Resources Part 1: Energy Use:

Learn about natural resources that humans use for energy in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Brick Masters- The Law of Conservation of Mass:

Explore the Law of Conservation of Mass using your favorite building blocks in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

GOAL! Motion of Objects:

Join in coaching the local soccer team and learn about the motion of objects with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Energy Part 5: Mechanical:

Learn about mechanical energy, including its two forms--kinetic energy and potential energy--with this interactive tutorial. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Energy Part 4: Electricity :

Explore electrical energy and electricity in this interactive tutorial about forms of energy. 

This is the fourth tutorial in a five-part series. Click below to open the others in the series.

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Energy Part 3: Sound:

Learn about sound, one of the main types of energy, as you complete this interactive science tutorial.

This is the fourth tutorial in a five-part series. Click below to open the others in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Energy: Part 2 Heat:

Discover what heat energy is and the role it plays on the Earth in this interactive tutorial.

This is the fourth tutorial in a five-part series. Click below to open the others in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Energy Part 1: Light:

Light is all around us and we need it to survive.  In this interactive tutorial, learn about light energy and how it works!

This is the first tutorial in a five-part series. Click below to open the others in the series.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Logging Lengths with Line Plots:

Learn how to create a line plot and analyze data in the line plot in this interactive tutorial.  You will also see how to add and subtract using the line plot to solve problems based on the line plots.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

In Hot Water: How Climate Change is Changing Our Planet :

Explore some facts about climate change and how it impacts our world in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

How Science Works:

Discover the methods scientists use to solve problems, answer questions, and make discoveries in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Life in the Seasons:

Explore the seasons and how plants and animals adapt to the changing environment in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Food Chains of Florida:

Explore food chains found in many Florida ecosystems as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Animals of Florida Part 2: Non-Native:

Explore some non-native animals in Florida including the honeybee, Cuban tree frog, and lionfish in this interactive tutorial.

Click the link to open .

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Animals of Florida Part 1: Native:

Explore some native animals of Florida including the Florida panther, gopher tortoise, and American alligator in this interactive tutorial.

Click the link to open .

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Plants of Florida Part 2: Non-Native:

Explore non-native plants of Florida, including orange trees, sugarcane, and Brazilian Peppertree in this interactive tutorial.

Click the link to open .

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Plants of Florida Part 1: Native:

Explore some native plants of Florida including bald cypress, longleaf pine and prickly pear in this interactive tutorial.

Click the link to open .

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Where Does the Energy Flow?:

Explore energy flow in the environment through food chains as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Where Does Your Energy Come From?:

Explore the path energy takes from the Sun to producers to consumers.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Animal Traits:

Explore animal traits and how they gain them as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Plant Traits:

Explore how traits of plants are affected by parents and the outside world in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

The Life Cycles of Florida Plants:

Explore the life cycle of different Florida seed plants: the longleaf pine and the orange tree.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

The Life Cycles of Florida Animals:

Explore the life cycles of animals including simple, complete metamorphosis and incomplete metamorphosis in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

A Plant's Life:

Follow the steps of the life cycle of flowering plants in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Natural Resources:

Explore different types of natural resources and analyze the aspects of non-renewable and renewable resources in this interactive tutorial. You'll be challenged to question what we do with our resources and why it is so important to consider what we do with them after we have used them.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Weathering and Erosion:

Dig into the effects weathering and erosion have had on the shaping of our landscape.  Sift through the rocks of our world and how weathering has cut and shaped them and how erosion has transported  and molded the surfaces of the Earth.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Categories of Rocks:

Explore the three categories of rocks and what makes each one unique.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Properties of Minerals:

Explore the characteristics of minerals in our rock formations and what makes them unique. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn about simple tests that are used to identify minerals.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Rotation of the Earth:

Explore the motion of objects in the sky like the Sun, Moon and stars and their connection to the rotating Earth in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Changes In Materials:

Identify some familiar changes in materials that result in other materials with different characteristics in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Educational Game

Identify The Rock:

This game allows students an opportunity to identify different kinds of rocks based on an actual photograph of the rock as well as characteristics of the rock, which are also shown.

Type: Educational Game

Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiasts

Magnetic Levitation:

Physics is a weighty subject, but this discussion of magnets and illusion brings a little levity.

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

Making Models - From the Mind, to Paper, to 3D:

An art studio manager describes how projects are designed and completed using mental, 2D, computer, and 3D models.

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

Student Center Activity

Edcite: ELA Reading Grade 4-5:

Students can practice answering reading comprehension questions with a text about online learning. With an account, students can save their work and send it to their teacher when complete.

Type: Student Center Activity

Text Resources

Interesting Earth Questions and Answers:

In this resource scientist Dr. Marc answers 6 interesting questions about space technology, the Earth and the Moon. There is an option to have Dr. Marc read the answers by simply clicking on the speaker icon beside each question.

Type: Text Resource

Help Protect Florida's Natural Areas from Non-Native Invasive Plants:

This resource provides information on some of Florida's non-native invasive fauna. The resource includes a list, description, and prevention guide for non-native invasive plant species in Florida.

Type: Text Resource

Tutorials

Metric System: Units of Volume:

This Khan Academy tutorial video illustrates the conversion equivalence of liters, milliliters, and kiloliters.

Type: Tutorial

U.S. Customary Units: Distance:

This Khan Academy tutorial video presents conventional examples that use specific customary units

Type: Tutorial

How to convert kilograms to milligrams and tons to ounces:

In this tutorial video from Khan Academy, explore the differences and similarities involved when converting between measurements in the metric and customary systems.

Type: Tutorial

How to convert kilometers to meters and meters centimeters:

In this video tutorial from Khan Academy, explore conversion within metric units of length, such as: kilometers, meters and centimeters.

Type: Tutorial

U.S. customary units: fluid volume:

In this video tutorial from Khan Academy, explore U.S. customary units of fluid volume (teaspoon, tablespoon, fluid ounce, cup, pint, quart, and gallon).

Type: Tutorial

U.S. customary units: weight:

In this video tutorial from Khan Academy, explore pounds, ounces and tons.

Type: Tutorial

Video/Audio/Animations

Mars Science Laboratory-Curiosity Rover-Mission Animation:

This animation depicts key events of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission, which launched in late 2011 and landed a rover, Curiosity, on Mars in August 2012.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Experiment - Which is the best insulator?:

Watch a demonstration of an experiment which tests the effectiveness of two different insulators. The participants will demonstrate their thinking as they run an experiment, identify variables and collect data.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Beavers:

The beaver is often referred to as nature's own engineer. This video segment focuses on the beaver's ability to transform its environment to suit itself. The beaver does so with an innate ability to construct dams -- a feat no creature, save humans, is able to achieve.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Sock Seeds:

This video clip presents a fun experiment: wear an old sock over your shoe and then take a walk through a grassy or weedy field or forest, and finally plant the sock to see what grows from it. This experiment sheds some light on the local plant species and also helps teach the evolutionary strategies plants take advantage of to disperse seeds. A background essay provides some very helpful information about seed dispersal as well and discussion questions help sum it all up.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Observe Sunrise and Sunset:

This video segment produced for Teachers' Domain features a time-lapse video of clouds forming, changing, and moving across the sky from day to night.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Sound:

The students will watch a short video that shows them how sound is created and how it is interpreted by our brain.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Pitch:

The students will watch a short video showing how different pitches are made.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation

Virtual Manipulatives

Tinker Ball:

Consider a wide range of possibilities when problem solving by experimenting with materials. Play around with objects and ideas to discover that there may be more than one solution. You will have an opportunity to explore with an assortment of objects to create a path for a ball to take.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

Earth in Motion: Seasons:

Seasons, the periodic climate changes that occur throughout the year, are the result of Earth orbiting around the Sun, and the tilt of its axis. A variety of climate changes occur throughout the world; some have extreme changes in temperature, while others have rainy and dry seasons, yet little change in temperature.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

WebQuest

What's It Like Where You Live?:

The website gives great information on the different biomes and ecosystems of the world.

Type: WebQuest

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this course.
Integrate Florida Standards for Mathematical Practice (MP) as applicable.
  • MAFS.K12.MP.1.1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
  • MAFS.K12.MP.2.1 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
  • MAFS.K12.MP.3.1 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
  • MAFS.K12.MP.4.1 Model with mathematics.
  • MAFS.K12.MP.5.1 Use appropriate tools strategically.
  • MAFS.K12.MP.6.1 Attend to precision.
  • MAFS.K12.MP.7.1 Look for and make use of structure.
  • MAFS.K12.MP.8.1 Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.