Essential Elements for Science
Grade 4

(1) Manipulate laboratory materials and equipment. The student shall be provided opportunities to:

(A) manipulate objects, organisms, and models;


(B) use tools, instruments, and comparators appropriate to life, earth, and physical science activities;


(C) construct two-dimensional and three-dimensional models; and


(D) practice safety.

(2) Acquire data through the senses. The student shall be provided opportunities to:

(A) observe science models;


(B) observe properties and patterns of objects, organisms, and events in the environment;


(C) observe similarities and differences in objects, organisms, and events;


(D) observe phenomena resulting from the life, earth, and physical sciences; and


(E) explore the environment.

(3) Classify, order, and sequence data. The student shall be provided opportunities to:

(A) arrange time, events, and activities in sequential order; and


(B) classify matter and energy, organisms, actions, and events from the environment according to

similarities and differences.

(A) obtain science information from varied resources;


(B) describe objects, organisms, and events from the environment;


(C) name objects, organisms, and events from a description of their properties;


(D) describe changes that occur to objects and organisms in the environment;


(E) write the sequence of events in investigations;


(F) record data and interpret the arrangement of data on bar graphs, line graphs, tables, and other

visuals; and


(G) write conclusions to science activities.

(5) Measure using relationships to standards. The student shall be provided opportunities to:

(A) measure and compare lengths, heights, weights/mass, perimeter, and area of objects or models

using metric units;


(B) estimate and measure the volume of a container using nonstandard units;


(C) measure temperature of objects using metric units; and


(D) time an event or a process and compare change over time.

(6) Draw logical inferences, predict outcomes, and form generalized statements. The student shallbe provided opportunities to:

(A) predict the outcomes of actions based on experience or data;


(B) make inferences based on data;


(C) state generalizations about similarities and differences between objects, organisms, and events;

and


(D) draw conclusions from observed data.

(A) compare and contrast objects, organisms, and events;


(B) relate classroom objects, science principles, and activities to daily life; and


(C) relate science to careers.

(8) Apply defined terms based on observations. The student shall be provided opportunities to:

(A) use observations to form definitions of objects, organisms, events, and processes;


(B) state relationships among objects, organisms, and events using operational definitions; and


(C) apply knowledge of theories, facts, and concepts in explaining observations in experimental and

controlled situations.

(A) set up and conduct experiments using control groups and experimental groups;


(B) recognize changes in objects, organisms, and events over time;


(C) vary the conditions of if/then statements and situations; and


(D) identify the variables that change and the variables that do not change in an investigation.