Science — Grade 4

The big, bad, red wolf: Fact and fantasy

This lesson will explore the myths and legends surrounding wolves. We will also investigate factual information about the endangered red wolf.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts and Science)

By steven sather.

Resources on the web

What's happening to the emperor penguins?

In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about emperor penguins' habitat and behaviors through Web sites such as National Geographic's "Creature Feature." (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

What do we know about nurse shark mating?

In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students use National Geographic articles to learn some basic information about nurse sharks and see photographs of scientists conducting nurse shark studies. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

A touch of class

This Science NetLinks lesson, the second of a two-part series on classification, extends the investigation of living organisms carried out in the first lesson by exposing students to the idea that a variety of plants and animals can be classified into one... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

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

Punching shrimp

In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, you'll hear about the mantis shrimp, a small crustacean that preys on snails. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 4 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

Folktales and ecology: Animals and humans in cooperation and conflict

Students study relationships between humans and animals in folktales in order to highlight issues concerning ecology and the environment. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)

Provided by: National Endowment for the Humanities

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

Biological clocks

Students will be introduced to the concept of biological clocks in a tangible, hands-on way. The teacher will then lead them to identify internal clues they experience at different times of the day and talk about their own biological clocks. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science