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  • Texas Standards
  • Science: 4th Grade

Texas - Science: 4th Grade

Essential Knowledge and Skills | Adopted: 2017

This correlation lists the recommended Gizmos for this state's curriculum standards. Click any Gizmo title below for more information.

2: : Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses scientific practices during laboratory and outdoor investigations.


2.A: : The student is expected to: plan and implement descriptive investigations, including asking well defined questions, making inferences, and selecting and using appropriate equipment or technology to answer his/her questions;

Screenshot of Pendulum Clock

Pendulum Clock

Find the effect of length, mass, and angle on the period of a pendulum. The pendulum is attached to a clock that can be adjusted to tell time accurately. The clock can be located on Earth or Jupiter to determine the effect of gravity. 5 Minute Preview


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2.B: : The student is expected to: collect and record data by observing and measuring, using the metric system, and using descriptive words and numerals such as labeled drawings, writing, and concept maps;

Screenshot of Measuring Volume

Measuring Volume

Measure the volume of liquids and solids using beakers, graduated cylinders, overflow cups, and rulers. Water can be poured from one container to another and objects can be added to containers. A pipette can be used to transfer small amounts of water, and a magnifier can be used to observe the meniscus in a graduated cylinder. Test your volume-measurement skills in the "Practice" mode of the Gizmo. 5 Minute Preview


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2.C: : The student is expected to: construct simple tables, charts, bar graphs, and maps using tools and current technology to organize, examine, and evaluate data;

Screenshot of Building Topographic Maps

Building Topographic Maps

Build a topographic map by flooding a three dimensional landscape with water and drawing contour lines. Draw a profile of a landscape based on the topographic map. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Prairie Ecosystem

Prairie Ecosystem

Observe the populations of grass, prairie dogs, ferrets and foxes in a prairie ecosystem. Investigate feeding relationships and determine the food chain. Bar graphs and line graphs show changes in populations over time. 5 Minute Preview


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2.D: : The student is expected to: analyze data and interpret patterns to construct reasonable explanations from data that can be observed and measured;

Screenshot of Comparing Climates (Customary)

Comparing Climates (Customary)

Compare average temperatures, precipitation, humidity, and wind speed for a variety of locations across the globe. Explore the influence of latitude, proximity to oceans, elevation, and other factors on climate. Observe how animals and plants are adapted to climate and their environment. This lesson uses U.S. customary units. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Observing Weather (Customary)

Observing Weather (Customary)

How do scientists measure and describe the weather? In this introductory lesson, students will practice using a thermometer, anemometer, rain gauge, and hygrometer to record weather conditions in a variety of locations and dates. This lesson uses U.S. customary units. 5 Minute Preview


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4: : Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student knows how to use a variety of tools, materials, equipment, and models to conduct science inquiry.


4.A: : The student is expected to: collect, record, and analyze information using tools, including calculators, microscopes, cameras, computers, hand lenses, metric rulers, Celsius thermometers, mirrors, spring scales, balances, graduated cylinders, beakers, hot plates, meter sticks, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices; and materials to support observation of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

Screenshot of Measuring Volume

Measuring Volume

Measure the volume of liquids and solids using beakers, graduated cylinders, overflow cups, and rulers. Water can be poured from one container to another and objects can be added to containers. A pipette can be used to transfer small amounts of water, and a magnifier can be used to observe the meniscus in a graduated cylinder. Test your volume-measurement skills in the "Practice" mode of the Gizmo. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Weight and Mass

Weight and Mass

Use a balance to measure mass and a spring scale to measure the weight of objects. Compare the masses and weights of objects on Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and the Moon. 5 Minute Preview


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5: : Matter and energy. The student knows that matter has measurable physical properties and those properties determine how matter is classified, changed, and used.


5.A: : The student is expected to: measure, compare, and contrast physical properties of matter, including mass, volume, states (solid, liquid, gas), temperature, magnetism, and the ability to sink or float; and

Screenshot of Density

Density

Measure the mass and volume of a variety of objects, then place them into a beaker of liquid to see if they float or sink. Learn to predict whether objects will float or sink in water based on their mass and volume. Compare how objects float or sink in a variety of liquids, including gasoline, oil, seawater, and corn syrup. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Mineral Identification

Mineral Identification

Observe and measure the properties of a mineral sample, and then use a key to identify the mineral. Students can observe the color, luster, shape, density, hardness, streak, and reaction to acid for each mineral. There are 26 mineral samples to identify. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Phases of Water

Phases of Water

Heat or cool a container of water and observe the phase changes that take place. Use a magnifying glass to observe water molecules as a solid, liquid, or gas. Compare the volumes of the three phases of water. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Weight and Mass

Weight and Mass

Use a balance to measure mass and a spring scale to measure the weight of objects. Compare the masses and weights of objects on Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and the Moon. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
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6: : Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that energy exists in many forms and can be observed in cycles, patterns, and systems.


6.A: : The student is expected to: differentiate among forms of energy, including mechanical, sound, electrical, light, and thermal;

Screenshot of Energy Conversions

Energy Conversions

Where does energy come from? How does energy get from one place to another? Find out how electrical current is generated and how living things get energy to move and grow. Trace the path of energy and see how energy is converted from one form to another. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Radiation

Radiation

Use a powerful flashlight to pop a kernel of popcorn. A lens focuses light on the kernel. The temperature of the filament and the distance between the flashlight and lens can be changed. Several obstacles can be placed between the flashlight and the popcorn. 5 Minute Preview


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6.B: : The student is expected to: differentiate between conductors and insulators of thermal and electrical energy;

Screenshot of Circuit Builder

Circuit Builder

Create circuits using batteries, light bulbs, switches, fuses, and a variety of materials. Examine series and parallel circuits, conductors and insulators, and the effects of battery voltage. Thousands of different circuits can be built with this Gizmo. 5 Minute Preview


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6.C: : The student is expected to: demonstrate that electricity travels in a closed path, creating an electrical circuit; and

Screenshot of Circuit Builder

Circuit Builder

Create circuits using batteries, light bulbs, switches, fuses, and a variety of materials. Examine series and parallel circuits, conductors and insulators, and the effects of battery voltage. Thousands of different circuits can be built with this Gizmo. 5 Minute Preview


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7: : Earth and space. The students know that Earth consists of useful resources and its surface is constantly changing.


7.B: : The student is expected to: observe and identify slow changes to Earth's surface caused by weathering, erosion, and deposition from water, wind, and ice; and

Screenshot of Erosion Rates

Erosion Rates

Explore erosion in a simulated 3D environment. Observe how the landscape evolves over time as it is shaped by the forces of flowing water. Vary the initial landscape, rock type, precipitation amount, average temperature, and vegetation and measure how each variable affects the rate of erosion and resulting landscape features. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Weathering

Weathering

Weathering is the breakdown of rock at Earth's surface through physical or chemical means. Students will learn about the different types of mechanical and chemical weathering, then use a simulation to model the effects of weathering on different types of rocks in varying climate conditions. 5 Minute Preview


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8: : Earth and space. The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among the Sun, Earth, and Moon system.


8.A: : The student is expected to: measure, record, and predict changes in weather;

Screenshot of Observing Weather (Customary)

Observing Weather (Customary)

How do scientists measure and describe the weather? In this introductory lesson, students will practice using a thermometer, anemometer, rain gauge, and hygrometer to record weather conditions in a variety of locations and dates. This lesson uses U.S. customary units. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Observing Weather (Metric)

Observing Weather (Metric)

How do scientists measure and describe the weather? In this introductory lesson, students will practice using a thermometer, anemometer, rain gauge, and hygrometer to record weather conditions in a variety of locations and dates. This lesson uses metric units. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

8.B: : The student is expected to: describe and illustrate the continuous movement of water above and on the surface of Earth through the water cycle and explain the role of the Sun as a major source of energy in this process; and

Screenshot of Water Cycle

Water Cycle

Control the path of a drop of water as it travels through the water cycle. Many alternatives are presented at each stage. Determine how the water moves from one location to another, and learn how water resources are distributed in these locations. 5 Minute Preview


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8.C: : The student is expected to: collect and analyze data to identify sequences and predict patterns of change in shadows, seasons, and the observable appearance of the Moon over time.

Screenshot of Phases of the Moon

Phases of the Moon

Understand the phases of the Moon by observing the positions of the Moon, Earth and Sun. A view of the Moon from Earth is shown on the right as the Moon orbits Earth. Learn the names of Moon phases and in what order they occur. Click Play to watch the Moon go around, or click Pause and drag the Moon yourself. 5 Minute Preview


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9: : Organisms and environments. The student knows and understands that living organisms within an ecosystem interact with one another and with their environment.


9.A: : The student is expected to: investigate that most producers need sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make their own food, while consumers are dependent on other organisms for food; and

Screenshot of Forest Ecosystem

Forest Ecosystem

Observe and manipulate the populations of four creatures (trees, deer, bears, and mushrooms) in a forest. Investigate the feeding relationships (food web) in the forest. Determine which creatures are producers, consumers, and decomposers. Pictographs and line graphs show changes in populations over time. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
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Screenshot of Prairie Ecosystem

Prairie Ecosystem

Observe the populations of grass, prairie dogs, ferrets and foxes in a prairie ecosystem. Investigate feeding relationships and determine the food chain. Bar graphs and line graphs show changes in populations over time. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

9.B: : The student is expected to: describe the flow of energy through food webs, beginning with the Sun, and predict how changes in the ecosystem affect the food web.

Screenshot of Forest Ecosystem

Forest Ecosystem

Observe and manipulate the populations of four creatures (trees, deer, bears, and mushrooms) in a forest. Investigate the feeding relationships (food web) in the forest. Determine which creatures are producers, consumers, and decomposers. Pictographs and line graphs show changes in populations over time. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
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10: : Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms undergo similar life processes and have structures and behaviors that help them survive within their environment.


10.B: : The student is expected to: explore and describe examples of traits that are inherited from parents to offspring such as eye color and shapes of leaves and behaviors that are learned such as reading a book and a wolf pack teaching their pups to hunt effectively; and

Screenshot of Inheritance

Inheritance

Create aliens with different traits and breed them to produce offspring. Determine which traits are passed down from parents to offspring and which traits are acquired. Offspring can be stored for future experiments or released. 5 Minute Preview


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10.C: : The student is expected to: explore, illustrate, and compare life cycles in living organisms such as beetles, crickets, radishes, or lima beans.

Screenshot of Germination

Germination

Plant seeds and watch how many sprout. Examine what factors affect germination. Vary the amount of heat, water, and light the seeds get. Practice designing controlled experiments and using the scientific method. 5 Minute Preview


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Correlation last revised: 9/16/2020

About STEM Cases

Students assume the role of a scientist trying to solve a real world problem. They use scientific practices to collect and analyze data, and form and test a hypothesis as they solve the problems.

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Each STEM Case uses realtime reporting to show live student results.
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STEM Cases take between 30-90 minutes for students to complete, depending on the case.

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