Science — Grade 4

Resources on the web

Sable Island's seals, sharks, and sand lances

In this Xpeditions lesson, students discuss the concept of competition in nature and learn about competition between two seal species on Sable Island. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Responsible whale watching

This lesson, from Xpeditions, asks students to think critically about the positive and potentially negative aspects of whale-watching tours. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Really wild animals: Will people change them forever?

This lesson from Xpeditions asks students to consider the ways in which human activities in the rain forest might affect the behaviors of some well-known African mammals, particularly in the Congo River Basin. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Pond life

The purpose of this lesson is to investigate familiar and unfamiliar ecosystems using Internet resources; to explore how various organisms satisfy their needs within their environments; to study the kinds of relationships that exist between organisms within... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)

Provided by: Science Netlinks

Pilot whales' place in the ocean

In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore pilot whales' sociability and bonding and consider how the National Geographic Crittercam might help scientists learn more about their social behaviors. Activities in this lesson... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

Provided by: Xpeditions

People and endangered species

Students examine some endangered species and the ways that human activities contribute to species endangerment. Students are asked to devise their own species protection plans. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

People and African animals

In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the ways that human activities impact African animals and their habitats. Activities in this lesson engage students in online learning, whole class discussion, and creation of an artistic project. Students... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Paperbag paleontology

Cornell Paleontologist John Chiment enlists the aid of younger school children in sorting through materials collected at a dig site and, in the process, demonstrates that anyone can “do science.” (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade K–5 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

The ocean and human medicine

In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about two species of marine animal--Bugula neritina and the horseshoe crab and their medical benefits. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Introducing biodiversity

In this Science NetLinks lesson, students use online resources to identify the basic components necessary for biodiversity and the critical and countless benefits of habitats, as well as the serious present and future threats to their ongoing existence. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Icebergs and penguins

In this Xpeditions lesson, students read a National Geographic News article and explore difficulties emperor penguins face when trying to get food for their young. This lesson engages students in developing skills to evaluate various forms of media and... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

Provided by: Xpeditions

How a blue crab changes as it grows

The purpose of this lesson is to understand the changes that a blue crab goes through during molting, and why it is important for scientists to understand these changes. It is important to understand the changes an animal goes through during its life span... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

Provided by: Science Netlinks

Ferocious felines

In this Xpeditions lesson, students study the biota—or flora and fauna—of the Kalahari Desert, and the importance of the lion's role as predator within this ecosystem. This lesson engages students in small group collaboration, research using online... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Science)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Crane Cam: Conservation and community

In this Xpeditions lesson, students examine the intended and unintended consequences of human environmental intervention. They study crane activity in the Platte River Valley and research the effects of human intervention on bird populations. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Cicada invasion

In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students consider how some animals, periodical cicadas, survive well in a particular environment due to the species' life cycle. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Bird beaks

In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore the relationship between a bird's beak and its ability to find food and survive in a given environment. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Beluga whales in the ice

This lesson asks students to think about how beluga whales survive in icy Arctic and subarctic waters and why they sometimes need to migrate. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Are sharks as dangerous as we think they are?

Students conduct research to address the question: “Are sharks as dangerous as we think they are?” They present their findings in oral presentations. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

Animal adaptations

In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students will participate in classroom discussions about animals. They will also visit a website to learn more about animals and how well (or poorly) they've adapted to satisfying their needs in their natural habitats.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Science)

Provided by: Science Netlinks