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  • Science
  • Grade 4
  • Force, motion, and energy

Science.4.7

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The student is expected to plan and conduct descriptive investigations to explore the patterns of forces such as gravity, friction, or magnetism in contact or at a distance on an object.

A student expectation is directly related to the knowledge and skills statement, is more specific about how students demonstrate their learning, and always begins with a verb. Student expectations are further broken down into their component parts, often referred to as “breakouts.”

  • Overview
  • Alignments
Side-by-Side 

SCIENCE.4.7 — 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.

S.3.7.A

demonstrate and describe forces acting on an object in contact or at a distance, including magnetism, gravity, and pushes and pulls; and

S.K.7

describe and predict how a magnet interacts with various materials and how magnets can be used to push or pull.

S.4.7

plan and conduct descriptive investigations to explore the patterns of forces such as gravity, friction, or magnetism in contact or at a distance on an object.

S.5.7.B
design a simple experimental investigation that tests the effect of force on an object in a system such as a car on a ramp or a balloon rocket on a string.
S.6.7.A
identify and explain how forces act on objects, including gravity, friction, magnetism, applied forces, and normal forces, using real-world applications;
IPC.5.D
describe the nature of the four fundamental forces: gravitation; electromagnetic; the strong and weak nuclear forces, including fission and fusion; and mass-energy equivalency; and
PHYS.6.A
use scientific notation and predict how the magnitude of the electric force between two objects depends on their charges and the distance between their centers using Coulomb's law;
PHYS.6.B
identify and describe examples of electric and magnetic forces and fields in everyday life such as generators, motors, and transformers;
Next grade

SCIENCE.4.7 — Breakout of skills

Breakouts are the component parts that make up a student expectation. A breakout shows a distinct concept a student should know or a distinct skill that a student should be able to demonstrate.

The student is expected to
conduct descriptive investigations to explore the patterns of forces such as gravity, friction, or magnetism in contact or at a distance on an object
plan descriptive investigations to explore the patterns of forces such as gravity, friction, or magnetism in contact or at a distance on an object

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.
Patterns

Patterns are regular sequences that can be found throughout nature.
 

The patterns of forces interacting with objects are directional. Magnetism causes a push or pull between a magnet and a magnetic surface. Friction always acts in a direction which is opposite to the direction of the object's motion. Gravity always pulls an object toward the ground.
 

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.
 

A force acting on an object (cause) can change its motion (effect).
 

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.
 

Modifying a condition or factor (a force) can cause the object to start, stop, or change its motion.
 

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.
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Math

Math.4.1.A apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace

Math.4.1.D communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs, and language as appropriate

Math.4.1.F analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas

Math.4.1.G display, explain, and justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communication

Math.4.9.A represent data on a frequency table, dot plot, or stem-and-leaf plot marked with whole numbers and fractions

Math.4.9.B  solve one- and two-step problems using data in whole number, decimal, and fraction form in a frequency table, dot plot, or stem-and-leaf plot

Social Studies

SS.4.18.A identify famous inventors and scientists such as Millie Hughes-Fulford and their contributions

English Language Arts and Reading

ELAR.4.1.D work collaboratively with others to develop a plan of shared responsibilities

ELAR.4.6.F make inferences and use evidence to support understanding

ELAR.4.6.G evaluate details read to determine key ideas

ELAR.4.13.A generate questions on a topic for formal and informal inquiry

ELAR.4.13.B develop and follow a research plan with adult assistance

Technology Applications

TA.4.1.B  identify patterns in story problems and make predictions based on the pattern

TA.4.3.A explain the importance of and demonstrate personal skills and behaviors, including problem solving and questioning, effective communication, following directions, mental agility, and metacognition, that are needed to implement a design process successfully

TA.4.6.A use digital tools to transform and make inferences about data to answer a question

TA.4.7.A use digital tools to communicate results of an inquiry to inform an intended audience

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