• Science in Fourth Grade, 2013-2014
    FOSS Module Descriptions

    Weather on Earth – 

    The constant renewal of water on Earth's land surfaces by the activities in the atmosphere is one of the defining characteristics of Earth, the water planet. The Weather on Earth Module provides students with experiences to explore the properties of the atmosphere, energy transfer from the Sun to Earth, and the dynamics of weather and water cycling in Earth's atmosphere. In this module, students will

    • Investigate properties of air.
    • Describe the atmosphere, using visual displays.
    • Use weather instruments to measure temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind direction, and wind speed.
    • Conduct experiments with heating of earth materials and with solar water heaters to build explanations.
    • Investigate the conditions that cause condensation and evaporation as part of the water cycle.
    • Interpret the data displayed on weather maps and look for patterns over time.    

    Energy and Electromagnetism –

    The Energy and Electromagnetism Module consists of five sequential investigations, each designed to introduce or reinforce concepts in physical science dealing with energy and change. Students experience electricity and magnetism as related effects and learn useful applications of electromagnetism in everyday life. In this module, students will

    • Ask questions that can be answered about electricity and
       magnetism.
    • Plan and conduct investigations about electromagnetism;
       record and organize data using appropriate tools for the task.
    • Analyze observations; build reasonable explanations; discuss
       and justify the merits of explanations.
    • Conduct an experiment to determine how the force of attraction between two magnets changes with the distance between the magnets.
    • Conduct an experiment to determine how the number of winds in an electromagnet coil affects the strength of the magnetism.
    • Design and build a model telegraph system.
    • Use tools and techniques to make observations and build explanations about light.    

    Pollution – Classroom Teacher

    Students start from the ground up, learning about litter and landfills.They sort schoolyard trash and calculate how quickly a classroom would fill with waste paper. They practice one way to recycle materials and brainstorm others. Next, they observe particulate matter in air and consider the implications. They create a filtration system, examine water pollutants, and try to clean up an oil spill. After testing the hardness, alkalinity, and acidity of water samples, students observe the effects of acid rain on plants.Finally, they define noise pollution based on opinion surveys and noise level tests.