Grade 4 · Science
4.10A
Water cycle
Describe and illustrate the continuous movement of water above and on Earth through the water cycle and explain the Sun’s role as the major energy source.
4.10B
Slow changes to Earth’s surface
Model and describe slow changes to Earth’s surface by weathering, erosion, and deposition from water, wind, and ice.
4.10C
Weather vs. climate
Differentiate between weather and climate.
4.11A
Renewable & nonrenewable resources
Identify advantages and disadvantages of using renewable and nonrenewable natural resources (wind, water, sunlight, plants, animals, coal, oil, natural gas).
4.11B
Role of energy resources
Explain the critical role of energy resources and how conservation, disposal, and recycling impact the environment.
4.11C
Properties of rocks & storage
Determine physical properties of rocks that allow natural resources to be stored there.
4.12A
Producers make food
Investigate and explain how most producers make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
4.12B
Food webs & energy flow
Describe cycling of matter and flow of energy through food webs (roles of Sun, producers, consumers, decomposers).
4.12C
Fossils & past environments
Identify and describe past environments based on fossil evidence, including common Texas fossils.
4.13A
Plant structures & survival
Explain how structures and functions of plants (e.g., waxy leaves, deep roots) enable survival.
4.13B
Inherited vs. acquired traits
Differentiate between inherited and acquired physical traits of organisms.
4.1A
Ask questions & define problems
Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.
4.1B
Plan investigations / design solutions
Use scientific practices to plan and conduct descriptive investigations and engineering practices to design solutions.
4.1C
Safety
Demonstrate safe practices and use safety equipment during classroom and field investigations per TEA standards.
4.1D
Tools & technology
Use appropriate tools (e.g., hand lenses, rulers, thermometers, balances, magnets, timing devices, models, and digital tools) to observe, measure, test, and analyze.
4.1E
Collect evidence
Collect observations and measurements as evidence.
4.1F
Organize data
Construct appropriate graphic organizers (tables, bar/line graphs, tree/concept maps, Venn diagrams, flow/sequence maps, input‑output tables).
4.1G
Develop & use models
Develop and use models to represent phenomena, objects, and processes or design a prototype for a solution.
4.2A
Models: limits/advantages
Identify advantages and limitations of models such as size, scale, properties, and materials.
4.2B
Analyze data
Analyze data by identifying significant features, patterns, or sources of error.
4.2C
Math in patterns
Use mathematical calculations to compare patterns and relationships.
4.2D
Evaluate designs
Evaluate a design or object using criteria.
4.3A
Develop explanations/solutions
Develop explanations and propose solutions supported by data and models.
4.3B
Communicate findings
Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in various settings and formats.
4.3C
Discuss evidence
Listen actively to identify relevant evidence and engage respectfully in scientific discussion.
4.4A
Impact of science & innovation
Explain how scientific discoveries and innovative solutions impact science and society.
4.4B
Explore STEM careers
Research and explore resources (museums, libraries, organizations, companies, online platforms, mentors) to investigate STEM careers.
4.5A
Patterns
Identify and use patterns to explain phenomena or design solutions.
4.5B
Cause & effect
Identify and investigate cause‑and‑effect relationships to explain phenomena or analyze problems.
4.5C
Scale, proportion, quantity
Use scale, proportion, and quantity to describe, compare, or model different systems.
4.5D
Systems & system models
Examine and model parts of a system and their interdependence.
4.5E
Energy & matter
Investigate how energy flows and matter cycles through systems and how matter is conserved.
4.5F
Structure & function
Explain relationships between structure and function of objects, organisms, and systems.
4.5G
Stability & change
Explain how factors or conditions impact stability and change in objects, organisms, and systems.
4.6A
Physical properties
Classify and describe matter using properties: temperature, mass, magnetism, relative density (sink/float), and state (solid/liquid/gas).
4.6B
Mixtures & solutions
Investigate and compare mixtures, including solutions and combinations of liquids and solids.
4.6C
Conservation of matter
Demonstrate that matter is conserved when mixtures form (e.g., soil and water, oil and water).
4.7
Patterns of forces
Plan and conduct descriptive investigations to explore patterns of forces (gravity, friction, magnetism) in contact or at a distance on an object.
4.8A
Transfer of energy
Investigate and identify transfer of energy by objects in motion, waves in water, and sound.
4.8B
Conductors & insulators
Identify conductors and insulators of thermal and electrical energy.
4.8C
Electrical energy in circuits
Demonstrate and describe how electrical energy travels in a closed path producing light and thermal energy.
4.9A
Seasonal patterns
Collect and analyze data to identify sequences and predict patterns of change in seasons (e.g., temperature, length of daylight).
4.9B
Moon patterns
Collect and analyze data to identify sequences and predict patterns of change in the observable appearance of the Moon.