S.4.11.A | TEKS Guide

SCIENCE.4.11.A — Vertical Alignment

Vertical alignment shows student expectations in the same subject area at different grade levels that are related to or build upon one another.

Previous grade

S.1.11.A

identify and describe how plants, animals, and humans use rocks, soil, and water;

S.2.11.A

distinguish between natural and manmade resources; and

S.3.11.A

explore and explain how humans use natural resources such as in construction, in agriculture, in transportation, and to make products;

S.4.11.A

identify and explain advantages and disadvantages of using Earth's renewable and nonrenewable natural resources such as wind, water, sunlight, plants, animals, coal, oil, and natural gas;

S.5.10.B

model and describe the processes that led to the formation of sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels; and

IPC.6.G

evaluate evidence from multiple sources to critique the advantages and disadvantages of various renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and their impact on society and the environment.

AQUA.10.D

describe human uses of fresh water and how human freshwater use competes with that of other organisms.

ENVIR.6.C

document the use and conservation of both renewable and non-renewable resources as they pertain to sustainability;

EARTH.12.E

predict how human use of Texas's naturally occurring resources such as fossil fuels, minerals, soil, solar energy, and wind energy directly and indirectly changes the cycling of matter and energy through Earth's systems; and

Next grade

Recurring themes and concepts — Connections to the content

Recurring themes and concepts provide a connective structure for scientific ideas across disciplines. The connection(s) below show some ways that teachers can help students understand how the content they are learning fits into the broader understanding of science. These connections do not represent all possible connections that might be made but highlight some that are appropriate for this grade level.

Cause-and-effect relationships

Cause-and-effect relationships are relationships between two or more variables or phenomena whereby one variable or event leads to a predictable response. Events have causes—sometimes simple, sometimes multi-faceted.

Using various resources causes advantageous and disadvantageous effects.

Flow of energy and cycling of matter through systems

Matter and energy are conserved, changing forms but maintaining quantities. Energy flows within a system or between systems through transfers and transformations. Matter is cycled within systems through physical and chemical processes.

As natural resources are used, matter cycles and energy flows through Earth's systems. Making decisions about using resources based on their advantages and disadvantages helps us manage the supply of resources so that resources are available for future use.

Stability and change

Stability describes a system that does not change at the observed scale. In a stable system, a small disturbance will die out and the system will return to a stable state. Change in the system can come from modifying a factor or condition.

Human behaviors can modify (change) the availability of resources (system). Making decisions about using resources based on their advantages and disadvantages helps maintain the stability and sustainability of the system.

Cross-curricular Connections

The cross-curricular connections are designed to help educators make content connections between the science TEKS and math, English language arts and reading, social studies, and technology applications. The standards below illustrate alignment between grade level content areas which may help educators develop cross-curricular lessons. These connections do not represent all possible connections that might be made.

Expand All

English Language Arts and Reading

Science.4.11.A

SCIENCE.4.11.A — Vertical Alignment

Recurring themes and concepts — Connections to the content

Cross-curricular Connections