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    Dorothy Hains Elementary School

    2022-2023

     Mrs. Henderson’s 4th Grade Science Syllabus

     

     

    The Fourth Grade Georgia Standards of Excellence for science engage students in constructing meaningful models that allow them to gain understanding of the natural world. They speculate about the observations they make. They add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers on paper, mentally, and with calculators. They list common materials for making simple mechanical constructions and for repairing things. Fourth graders gather and interpret data and use records, tables, or graphs to identify patterns of change. They write instructions and make sketches that allow others to carry out a scientific investigation. They determine whether or not a comparison is fair if conditions are different for each thing being compared. They question claims or statements made by people outside their field of expertise. The students will use these skills to compare and contrast the physical attributes of stars and planets, model the effects of the relative motion of the Earth and moon around the sun, use weather charts/maps to predict weather events, conduct investigations about the water cycle and understand their relationship with heat energy, communicate information about the nature of light and sound, study the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on an object, and describe the flow of energy in an ecosystem and the roles organisms play in a community. Lessons are organized into several chapters that introduce and cover:

    Scientific Investigation – Students will learn the process of completing scientific investigations. Lessons reinforce the steps in the scientific method through assignments on research, investigation, conducting experiments, collecting data, recording observations, using control groups, and creating timelines.

    Earth and Space Science

     S4E1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to compare and contrast the physical attributes of stars and planets.

    S4E2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to model the effects of the position and motion of the Earth and the moon in relation to the sun as observed from the Earth.

    S4E3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to demonstrate the water cycle.

    S4E4. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to predict weather events and infer weather patterns using weather charts/maps and collected weather data.

    Physical Science

    S4P1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the nature of light and how light interacts with objects.

    S4P2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how sound is produced and changed and how sound and/or light can be used to communicate.

    S4P3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the relationship between balanced and unbalanced forces.

    Life Science

    S4L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem.

    Major Course Project & Instructional Activities: Students will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the science standards and they will complete science fair projects.

    Course Assessment Plan: Rubrics will be utilized during the school year to grade students’ project as well as course work. Students will be given tests weekly or biweekly to measure understanding as well as to monitor growth. Tests will be scheduled on Fridays. Test dates are subject to change.

    Grades will be assigned as follows:                         The Richmond County Grading Scale is as follows:

    Tests - 30%                                                                    A – 100 - 90

    Projects – 20%                                                               B – 80 – 89

    Quizzes – 20%                                                               C – 75 – 79

    Journal – 20%                                                                D – 70 – 74

    Homework – 10%                                                           F – Below 70

     

    Classroom Expectations: Students are expected to come to class prepared daily with paper, pencils, textbooks, binders, and homework assignments. Students are expected to have (2) notebooks for this class. Students are expected to come to class on time, in an orderly manner, prepared to begin their daily assignments.

    Homework Policy and Grading Scale: Homework is due the day after it is assigned. Due dates are subject to change and students will be notified of the changes.  Any student who misses an assignment due to illness or an absence will be responsible for turning in the assignment upon returning to school.