Science - 4th Grade

Content Overview:

Science in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade is focused on a central theme.  The science theme in the grade 3-5 grade band is Interconnections within Systems. This theme focuses on helping students develop the skills for systematic discovery to understand the science of the physical world around them in greater depth by using scientific inquiry. In the elementary years, all students work to become proficient in the use of the scientific processes to construct their knowledge and understanding in all science content areas. Fourth grade students will be studying Ecosystems, Landforms, Electricity and will be engaged in various investigations to further explore the concepts within those topics.

Textbooks:

Variety of literature

Assessments:

Formative and summative classroom assessments

 

Standards/Learning Goals

Ohio’s Learning Standards in Science are comprised of 3 strands: Earth and Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. The content statements listed below state what students should learn and understand in each discipline.

1st Quarter - Earth and Space Science - Earth's Surface

  • This topic focuses on the variety of processes that shape and reshape Earth’s surface.
    • Earth’s surface has specific characteristics and landforms that can be identified
    • The surface of Earth changes due to weathering
    • The surface of Earth changes due to erosion and deposition

3rd Quarter - Life Science - Earth's Living History

  • This topic focuses on using fossil evidence and living organisms to observe that suitable habitats depend upon a combination of biotic and abiotic factors.
    • Changes in an organism’s environment are sometimes beneficial to its survival and sometimes harmful
    • Fossils can be compared to one another and to present day organisms according to their similarities and differences

4th Quarter - Physical Science - Electricity, Heat and Matter

  • This topic focuses on the conservation of matter and the processes of energy transfer and transformation, especially as they relate to heat and electrical energy.
    • The total amount of matter is conserved when it undergoes a change
    • Energy can be transformed from one form to another or can be transferred from one location to another