Grade 4

The Nature of Science

Earth and Space Science

Physical Science

Life Science

The Practice of Science

Design, Process, and Problem Solving (STREAM)

Earth in Space and Time

Earth Structures

Properties of Matter

Changes in Matter

Forms of Energy

Energy Transfer and Transformations

Forces and Changes in Motion

Organization and Development of Living Organisms

Generate questions about the natural world, use reference materials to obtain information (identifying the source), conduct both individual and team investigations through free exploration and systematic investigations, and generate reasonable and logical explanations.

Compare the observations made by different individuals or teams using multiple methods and/or tools to seek reasons to explain the differences across teams.

Recognize that science does involve the use of observations and empirical evidence but may not always follow a rigidly defined method ("the scientific method").

Compare the methods and results of investigations done by other individuals or teams.

Propose reasonable answers to scientific questions and present evidence in support.

Interpret data that describes observations made to carefully distinguish actual observations from ideas and inferences about the observations.

Recognize and explain that scientists base their explanations on empirical evidence.

Identify three sources of human choice: object, intention, and circumstances. Understand that Catholic scientists throughout history have made contributions to the various fields of science following this moral process. 

Explain how living a moral life means they take into account how their actions/thoughts/words affect others. Recognize how the following scientists led a moral life through their work: Nicolaus Copernicus, Gregor Mendel, Georges Lemaître, Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon, Pierre Gassendi, Roger Joseph Boscovich, Marin Mersenne, Bernard Bolzano, Francesco Maria Grimaldi, Nicole Oresme, Jean Buridan, Robert Grosseteste, Christopher Clavius, Nicolas Steno, Athanasius Kircher, Giovanni Battista Riccioli, and William of Ockham.

Demonstrate a moral decision-making process, and how we can ask God to help us make moral choices.

Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. 

Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. 

Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

Demonstrate care of personal belongings, classrooms, school building, and parish grounds.

Desrcibe the importance of work and how it is a participation in God's life.

Articulate respect for the dignity of all work.

Participate in age-appropriate service projects and share reflections on our call to discipleship and building God's kingdom.

Understand gravity and energy influences the formation of galaxies.

Recognize that a galaxy consists of gas, dust, and many stars, including any objects orbiting the stars. Identify our home galaxy as the Milky Way.

Observe that the patterns of stars in the sky stay the same although they appear to shift across the sky nightly, and different stars can be seen in different seasons.

Distinguish among the following objects of the Solar System -- Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets -- and identify Earth's position in it.

Identify the three categories of rocks: igneous, (formed from molten rock); sedimentary (pieces of other rocks and fossilized organisms); and metamorphic (formed from heat and pressure).

Identify the physical properties of common earth-forming minerals, including hardness, color, luster, cleavage, and streak color, and recognize the role of minerals in the formation of rocks.

Describe the basic differences between physical weathering (breaking down of rock by wind, water, ice, temperature change, and plants) and erosion (movement of rock by gravity, wind, water, and ice).

Compare and contrast different landforms on Earth's surface and relate those landforms as they exist in Florida.

Measure and compare objects and materials based on their physical properties including: mass, shape, volume, color, hardness, texture, odor, taste, attraction to magnets.

Identify properties and common uses of water in each of its states.

Explore the Law of Conservation of Mass by demonstrating that the mass of a whole object is always the same as the sum of the masses of its parts.

Investigate and describe that magnets can attract magnetic materials and attract and repel other magnets.

Compare and contrast familiar changes in matter that result in other materials with different characteristics, such as decaying animal or plant matter, burning, rusting, and cooking.

Compare and contrast basic forms of energy, including light, heat, sound, electrical, and the energy of motion.

Investigate and explain that energy has the ability to cause motion or create change.

Investigate and explain that sound is produced by vibrating objects and that pitch depends on how fast or slow the object vibrates.

Describe how moving water and air are sources of energy and can be used to move things.

Recognize that as heat energy transfer between objects temperature changes will occur.

Identify common materials that effectively conduct heat.

Identify familiar forces that cause objects to move, such as pushes or pulls, including gravity acting on falling objects.

Investigate and describe that the greater the force applied to it, the greater the change in motion of a given object.

Investigate and describe that the more mass an object has, the less effect a given force will have on the object's motion.

Investigate and explain that when a force is applied to an object but it does not move, it is because another opposing force is being applied by something in the environment so that the forces are balanced.

Identify the organs of the human body and the systems in which they belong including, muscular, skeletal, circulatory, respiratory, and digestive. 

 Understand that God created us in His image with a unique body and unique soul, therefore all human life is sacred.

Acknowledge the unique importance of each person. 

Recognize that God creates all human beings: body and soul having intellect and free will. 

Realize the obligation of being made in God's image by taking care of my body as the "Temple of the Holy Spirit"

Understand that God created us as naturally good and destined for union with him.

Identify processes of reproduction in flowering plants, including pollination, fertilization (seed production), seed dispersal, and germination.

Explain that although characteristics of plants and animals are inherited, some characteristics can be affected by the environment.

Compare and contrast the major stages in the life cycles of Florida plants and animals, such as those that undergo incomplete and complete metamorphosis, and flowering and nonflowering seed-bearing plants.

Compare the seasonal changes in Florida plants and animals to those in other regions of the country.

Recall the seasons of the Liturgical Year, their significance, and the liturgical color.

Explain the flow of energy from the Sun as it is transferred along the food chain through the producers to the consumers.

Explain that when animals eat plants or other animals, the energy stored in the food source is passed to them.

Recognize ways plants and animals, including humans, can impact the environment.

Acknowledge the unique importance of each person [all creation].

Describe and demonstrate how not to waste God's gifts of food and natural resources.