S4E: Earth and Space Science

S4E2: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to model the effects of the position and motion of the Earth and the moon in relation to the sun as observed from the Earth.

S4E2.a: Develop a model to support an explanation of why the length of day and night change throughout the year.

Summer and Winter

S4E2.b: Develop a model based on observations to describe the repeating pattern of the phases of the moon (new, crescent, quarter, gibbous, and full).

Phases of the Moon

S4E2.c: Construct an explanation of how the Earth’s orbit, with its consistent tilt, affects seasonal changes.

Summer and Winter

S4E3: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to demonstrate the water cycle.

S4E3.a: Plan and carry out investigations to observe the flow of energy in water as it changes states from solid (ice) to liquid (water) to gas (water vapor) and changes from gas to liquid to solid.

Phases of Water
Water Cycle

S4E3.b: Develop models to illustrate multiple pathways water may take during the water cycle (evaporation, condensation, and precipitation).

Water Cycle

S4E4: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to predict weather events and infer weather patterns using weather charts/maps and collected weather data.

S4E4.a: Construct an explanation of how weather instruments (thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, wind vane, and anemometer) are used in gathering weather data and making forecasts.

Observing Weather (Customary)

S4E4.b: Interpret data from weather maps, including fronts (warm, cold, and stationary), temperature, pressure, and precipitation to make an informed prediction about tomorrow’s weather.

Weather Maps
Weather Maps - Metric

S4E4.c: Ask questions and use observations of cloud types (cirrus, stratus, and cumulus) and data of weather conditions to predict weather events.

Observing Weather (Metric)

S4E4.d: Construct an explanation based on research to communicate the difference between weather and climate.

Comparing Climates (Customary)

S4P: Physical Science

S4P1: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the nature of light and how light interacts with objects.

S4P1.a: Plan and carry out investigations to observe and record how light interacts with various materials to classify them as opaque, transparent, or translucent.

Radiation

S4P1.b: Plan and carry out investigations to describe the path light travels from a light source to a mirror and how it is reflected by the mirror using different angles.

Laser Reflection

S4P3: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the relationship between balanced and unbalanced forces.

S4P3.a: Plan and carry out an investigation on the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on an object and communicate the results.

Force and Fan Carts

S4P3.b: Construct an argument to support the claim that gravitational force affects the motion of an object.

Free Fall Tower

S4P3.c: Ask questions to identify and explain the uses of simple machines (lever, pulley, wedge, inclined plane, wheel and axle, and screw) and how forces are changed when simple machines are used to complete tasks.

Ants on a Slant (Inclined Plane)
Levers
Pulleys
Trebuchet
Wheel and Axle

S4L: Life Science

Force and Fan Carts

S4L1: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem.

S4L1.a: Develop a model to describe the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in a community.

Forest Ecosystem

S4L1.b: Develop simple models to illustrate the flow of energy through a food web/food chain beginning with sunlight and including producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Forest Ecosystem

S4L1.d: Use printed and digital data to develop a model illustrating and describing changes to the flow of energy in an ecosystem when plants or animals become scarce, extinct or over-abundant.

Forest Ecosystem
Pond Ecosystem
Prairie Ecosystem