4 th Grade Science Long Range Plans Presented by: Matthew Kennedy

Scientific Method Ask a question Form a hypothesis Test the hypothesis Collect data Analyze data Conclusion Further inquiry Flip Chart Use the lab report sheet (provided as a handout)

Ask a Question What do you want to find out? Why do you want to find it out? This is often the title for the experiment.

Form a Hypothesis What do you think is going to happen? I often script this for students to start: –“My hypothesis is…” –“My prediction is…” –“I think…”

Test the Hypothesis Do the experiment. What materials do you need to complete the experiment? How am I going to conduct the experiment?

Variables and Constants Independent variable – what am I going to change during the experiment Dependent variable – what am I going to measure Constants – what stays the same throughout

Collect Data Label the table. Record your data. I generally do 3 trials for any experiment. Find the average/mean.

Analyze the Data Use your table to create a graph. Label the x-axis (independent variable). Label the y-axis (dependent variable). Come up with appropriate increments to graph in.

Conclusion What did I learn? How can I use this in real life? I usually script this: –“My conclusion is…” –“My hypothesis was correct/incorrect because…” –“My hypothesis was this but this is what actually happened…”

Inquire Further Do you have any more questions? If you could do another experiment that was similar what independent variable could you change? This is great for a planned free day in science.

Long Range Plans – 1 st Quarter The big ideas for this quarter are: –Scientific Method Getting students familiar with this process Use of this will be ongoing throughout the year Be consistent –Variables Independent – the one thing that is changed in a science experiment Dependent – what is being measured

1 st Quarter Focus Lab - Swingers Part 1 – Swingers is out of you Variables FOSS kit. Materials needed for each group: –String (50cm) –Tape –Pencil –Paperclip –1 penny –Lab report sheet

Long Range Plans – 2 nd Quarter The big ideas of this quarter are: –Making observations This is done in all aspects of science and can be discussed as you move through the other big ideas in this quarter. –Magnets Review and explore. –Electricity Allow students time to explore setting up different types of circuits. –Sound Review and explore.

2 nd Quarter Focus Lab – Electric Circuits Harcourt Science textbook p. F10-11 “Making Light Bulbs Light Up” Materials needed for each group: –D-cell battery –Insulated electrical wire (at least 2) –Miniature light bulb –Tape –Paper to diagram their drawing (science notebook)

Long Range Plans – 3 rd Quarter The big ideas for this quarter are: –Ecology and Organisms Discuss and compare life cycles. Look at ecosystems. –Forces of motion Explore forces of motion and what types of things can affect how something moves.

3 rd Quarter Focus Lab - How Far Will the Ball Roll? Materials needed per group: –Bouncy ball –3 textbooks –Meter stick or tape measure –Lab report sheet

Long Range Plans – 4 th Quarter The big ideas for this quarter are: –Weather Observe weather changes. Measure daily changes in weather using simple instruments. Discuss weather and how it affects erosion. –Health and Nutrition This may be ongoing.

4 th Quarter Focus Lab – Mini- Water Cycle Harcourt Science p. D34-35 Materials needed per group: –Dixie cup –Ziploc bag –Water –Graduated cylinder –Tape –Access to a window

4 th Grade Long Range Plans