Science — Grade 4

All questions and comments about this curriculum should be directed to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Goal 1

The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of animal behavior and adaptation.

Objective 1.01

Observe and describe how all living and nonliving things affect the life of a particular animal including:

• Other animals.
• Plants.
• Weather.
• Climate.

Objective 1.02

Observe and record how animals of the same kind differ in some of their characteristics and discuss possible advantages and disadvantages of this variation.

Objective 1.03

Observe and discuss how behaviors and body structures help animals survive in a particular habitat.

Objective 1.04

Explain and discuss how humans and other animals can adapt their behavior to live in changing habitats.

Objective 1.05

Recognize that humans can understand themselves better by learning about other animals.

Goal 2

The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate technology to build an understanding of the composition and uses of rocks and minerals.

Objective 2.01

Describe and evaluate the properties of several minerals.

Objective 2.02

Recognize that minerals have a definite chemical composition and structure, resulting in specific physical properties including:

• Hardness.
• Streak color.
• Luster.
• Magnetism.

Objective 2.03

Explain how rocks are composed of minerals.

Objective 2.04

Show that different rocks have different properties.

Objective 2.05

Discuss and communicate the uses of rocks and minerals.

Objective 2.06

Classify rocks and rock-forming minerals using student-made rules.

Objective 2.07

Identify and discuss different rocks and minerals in North Carolina including their role in geologic formations and distinguishing geologic regions.

Goal 3

The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of magnetism and electricity.

Objective 3.01

Observe and investigate the pull of magnets on all materials made of iron and the pushes or pulls on other magnets.

Objective 3.02

Describe and demonstrate how magnetism can be used to generate electricity.

Objective 3.03

Design and test an electric circuit as a closed pathway including an energy source, energy conductor, and an energy receiver.

Objective 3.04

Explain how magnetism is related to electricity.

Objective 3.05

Describe and explain the parts of a light bulb.

Objective 3.06

Describe and identify materials that are conductors and nonconductors of electricity.

Objective 3.07

Observe and investigate that parallel and series circuits have different characteristics.

Objective 3.08

Observe and investigate the ability of electric circuits to produce light, heat, sound, and magnetic effects.

Objective 3.09

Recognize lightning as an electrical discharge and show proper safety behavior when lightning occurs.

Goal 4

The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate technology to build an understanding of how food provides energy and materials for growth and repair of the body.

Objective 4.01

Explain why organisms require energy to live and grow.

Objective 4.02

Show how calories can be used to compare the chemical energy of different foods.

Objective 4.03

Discuss how foods provide both energy and nutrients for living organisms.

Objective 4.04

Identify starches and sugars as carbohydrates.

Objective 4.05

Determine that foods are made up of a variety of components.