Grade 4 Science Unit 1

Animals

Classifying Animals
Students will classify the animals into groups. Students will how explain how they grouped the animals using the animals' observable features by creating a label for each group.

National Geographic Kids
Students will read about different groups of animals and how they are classified. Students will select an animal to learn more about it. Students should be able to describe the observable features of the animal and why it is classified into a specific group. Videos and sound clips are included.
DI/UDL Option: Allow students to use Inspiration or Kurzweil Writing Tools to create a Thinking Map to organize their ideas.

Animals- A-Z
Students may use the National Geographic site with animal facts, photos and videos to research animals to gather information about their observable features. Then complete this graphic organizer to compare and contrast their observable features!

Switcheroo Zoo
Students can make new animals and then describe how changing the observable features of this animal affects it. Students can change the head, legs, and tail of an existing animal. Facts are given for each animal for the students to read as they create their new animal.

KidsBiology
Students may use this animal database to gather quick facts.

Animal Sort
Students will classify reptiles, birds, mammals, and fish by their observable features.

Animal Sort 2
Students will classify reptiles, birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, and invertebrates by their observable features.

Animal Classification Find (Advanced)
Students will find animals that fit into each classification of reptiles, birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. Students will write to describe why each animal fit into these classifications.

Basic Needs of Animals
Students will organize their research when finding the basic needs of animals.

Classifying Plants
Students will sort the pictures into groups based on observable features. Students will create a title for each group.

Parts of a Plant
Students will view video to learn the parts of a plant and will organize what they learned using a Thinking Map, graphic organizer, or two-column notes.
If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link.

Plant Basics
Students will read about how plants are classified. Students can organize what they learned using a Thinking Map, graphic organizer, or two-column notes. This Biology4Kids website includes a short reading, slideshow and quiz.

Just for Kids - A Walk in the Woods
Students will take a virtual walk in the woods or learn about the mysteries of plant life.

Life Cycle of a Plant
Students will virtually experience the life cycle of a plant and virtually experience plant growth.

Plant Parts 1
Students will label the basic plant parts.

Plant Parts 2
Students will identify the basic plant parts by dragging the labels to each part.

Name the Plant Parts
Students will identify and name the basic plant parts.


Grade 4 Science Unit 1
We Are Family Essential Questions: How can we justify the classification of organisms based on their traits? How can we determine if traits of an offspring are inherited or learned?

Enduring Understandings	Student Resources
Diversity of Life Animals and plants can be classified by their observable features. Observe and compile a list of a variety of animals or plants in both familiar and unfamiliar environments by researching in books and approved websites. (3.A.1.a) Explain how plants and animals can be classified according to observable features by organizing a variety of pictures and providing reasons for placing them into different groups (3.A.1.b) Justify reasons for placing new animals into established groups or creating a new group by classifying pictures of animals (3.A.1.c.) Describe what classifying tells us about how plants are related to each other by growing a variety of seeds (3.A.1.d)	Animals Classifying Animals Students will classify the animals into groups. Students will how explain how they grouped the animals using the animals' observable features by creating a label for each group. National Geographic Kids Students will read about different groups of animals and how they are classified. Students will select an animal to learn more about it. Students should be able to describe the observable features of the animal and why it is classified into a specific group. Videos and sound clips are included. DI/UDL Option: Allow students to use Inspiration or Kurzweil Writing Tools to create a Thinking Map to organize their ideas. Animals- A-Z Students may use the National Geographic site with animal facts, photos and videos to research animals to gather information about their observable features. Then complete this graphic organizer to compare and contrast their observable features! Switcheroo Zoo Students can make new animals and then describe how changing the observable features of this animal affects it. Students can change the head, legs, and tail of an existing animal. Facts are given for each animal for the students to read as they create their new animal. KidsBiology Students may use this animal database to gather quick facts. Animal Sort Students will classify reptiles, birds, mammals, and fish by their observable features. Animal Sort 2 Students will classify reptiles, birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, and invertebrates by their observable features. Animal Classification Find (Advanced) Students will find animals that fit into each classification of reptiles, birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. Students will write to describe why each animal fit into these classifications. Basic Needs of Animals Students will organize their research when finding the basic needs of animals. Plants Classifying Plants Students will sort the pictures into groups based on observable features. Students will create a title for each group. Parts of a Plant Students will view video to learn the parts of a plant and will organize what they learned using a Thinking Map, graphic organizer, or two-column notes. *If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link.* Plant Basics Students will read about how plants are classified. Students can organize what they learned using a Thinking Map, graphic organizer, or two-column notes. This Biology4Kids website includes a short reading, slideshow and quiz. Just for Kids - A Walk in the Woods Students will take a virtual walk in the woods or learn about the mysteries of plant life. Life Cycle of a Plant Students will virtually experience the life cycle of a plant and virtually experience plant growth. Plant Parts 1 Students will label the basic plant parts. Plant Parts 2 Students will identify the basic plant parts by dragging the labels to each part. Name the Plant Parts Students will identify and name the basic plant parts.
Genetics Similarities between parents and offspring can be inherited or learned. Essential Question How can we determine if traits of an offspring were inherited or learned? Describe traits found in animals and plants, such as eye color, height, leaf shape, seed type that are passed from one generation to another. (3.C.1.a) Decide if certain traits are inherited or learned by classifying pictures (3.C.1.b)	Animals and Babies Students will read a list of animals with male, female, baby and group names. Students will choose a group and list the similarities between parents and offspring by describing their observable features. Inherited Traits and Learned Characteristics Real World Reading: Short expository text explaining the differences between inherited traits and learned characteristics with a short online quiz that follows it. Focus Question: What are examples of inherited traits? DI/UDL Option: Level the amount of support given to readers. (Curriculum link doesn't work - use supplimented resources below). Other online articles of inherited and learned traits.* Basic Article NYT Study - Traits are Mostly Inherited Pets: Oh Behave! Double Take Real World Reading: By studying twins, scientists help us understand what makes people who they are. Focus Question: How can studying twins help us understand how some likenesses are learned and other likenesses are inherited? DI/UDL Option: Level the amount of support given to readers. Life Cycle of a Butterfly Students will view video to learn the life cycle of a butterfly and will organize what they learned using a Thinking Map, graphic organizer, or two-column notes. If the link does not work, login to Discovery Education first and then select the link. Mealworm Life Cycle Interactive Students will label the mealworm life cycle changes. Brain Pop Video: Heredity Students will view video explaining how traits are inherited and can be predicted and will organize what they learned using a Thinking Map, graphic organizer, or two-column notes. Offspring Match Students will match the offspring with their parents, and then will write at least one learned and inherited trait for each. Learned Behaviors vs. Inherited Traits Quiz Students will sort this group of online notecards into two piles/categories. A Skateboard Riding Dog! This 5E lesson allows students to explroe differences between learned and inherited behaviors in animals. This lesson includes engaging videos of animals! Learned and Inherited Traits Use this Smart Notebook to have students list characteristics/traits of learned and inherited behaviors. Then have students sort the descriptions into 2 categories. Can be used whole class.
Required Lab: Is My Leaf Unique? Student Outcome: Develop investigative questions about classifying plants by comparing leaves of the same kind of tree. (3.A.1.b)	Leaf Key Guide to Common Trees in Maryland Students will read the leaf key guide to determine how common trees are identified and will organize what they learned using a Thinking Map, graphic organizer, or two-column notes. (Curriculum link doesn't work). Use this Leaf Key Guide to identify plants based on its observable features! Nature walk! Tree Identification Students will read to be informed about how to identify leaves. Tree Identification by type of leaf Students will read the guide to identify trees based on observable properties of leaves. Graphing Data (Extension) After gathering leaves, students will graph the type of leaves found. Students will graph the type of leaves found based on the observable properties of the leaves.
Project: New Zoo for You! Classify a variety of animals according to their observable featrues and provide reasons for placing them into different groups by designing a new zoo. Driving Question: How can we classify animals according to their observable features and provide justification for placing them into different groups?	The Other Side of the Zoo Fence Read World Reading: Students will read to be informed to find out the importance of making sure to understand the observable features of each animals when building a zoo. Students will read about why a Zoo designers work hard to make exhibits safe and enjoyable—for people as well as animals. Focus Question: How do designers use information about animals to design zoos that allow animals to live in more natural habitat, as well as provide background knowledge about planning a zoo? DI/UDL Option: Chunk the text and have students do a Jigsaw Activity to break up the reading demand. Classifying Animals Interactive Students will learn what makes a mammal a mammal, or a bird a bird. Students will learn to classify animals according to their observable features and provide justification for placing them into different groups. Students will organized what they learned using a Thinking Map, graphic organizer, or two or three column notes. Students may also take the interactive quiz to test their knowledge. Brain Pop Video Students will watch a video to be informed how animals are classified into vertebrate and invertebrate, and then classify them in to smaller groups.

Teacher Resources
Curriculum Links Readings, SMART board Lessons, and Websites	Resources
Diversity of Life Animals and plants can be classified by their observable features.	Animals Classification Observe, describe and group animals. Classifying Animals *Login to Discovery Education before selecting the link. Please note that Discovery Streaming videos must be downloaded prior to viewing as per AACPS guidelines.* National Geographic Kids Creature Feature, animal pictures Animals- A-Z National Geographic, please note that the site asks for registration KidsBiology Animal Database Pebble Go Database for emergent readers. Each school has a unique login and password. See your media specialist for details. PlantsClassifying Plants *Login to Discovery Education before selecting the link. Please note that Discovery Streaming videos must be downloaded prior to viewing as per AACPS guidelines.* Classify Seeds Activity that includes a video of a distance learning instructor Classifying Seeds and Plants Life cycle of a plant lab Life Cycle of a Butterfly *Login to Discovery Education before selecting the link. Please note that Discovery Streaming videos must be downloaded prior to viewing as per AACPS guidelines.* Mealworm Life Cycle Interactive Brain Pop Video: Heredity A video explaining how traits are inherited and can be predicted. Real World Reading: Common Trees of Kentucky Study Guide Graphing Data (Extension) The Other Side of the Zoo Fence Brain Pop Video Explains how animals are classified in to vertebrate and invertebrate and them in to smaller groups.
Genetics Similarities between parents and offspring can be inherited or learned.	Litter of Puppies Picture Can be used in connection with the following picture Parents and Litter of Puppies Picture Real World Reading: Inherited Traits and Learned Characteristics Comprehension questions follow the text Is it Inherited or is it Learned? Printable cards that can be used for a sorting activity Double Take Article on twins Career in Science: Geneticist Website with information about geneticist - connected to Virginia standards Alternate Resource: BrainPop: Heredity
Required Lab: Is My Leaf Unique?	Leaf Guide to Common Trees in Maryland

Teacher Notes
Standards	Resources
Content Standard: 3.A.1.a Observe and compile a list of a variety of animals or plants in both familiar and unfamiliar environments by researching in books and approved web sites. Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Select relevant information from technology resources.	Animals and Babies National Geographic Kids Animal Bytes-Seaworld Site with Links about Vertebrates Animals- A-Z- National Geographic Switcheroo Zoo- Make new animals Creature Feature KidsBiology-Animal Database Pics4 Learning Photos
Content Standard: 3.A.1.b Explain how plants and animals can be classified according to observable features by organizing a variety of pictures and providing reasons for placing them into different groups. 1.C.1.b Describe and compare things in terms of number, shape, texture, size, weight, color, and motion. Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Select relevant information from technology resources.	Animal Bytes-Seaworld Site with Links about Vertebrates Animals- A-Z- National Geographic Switcheroo Zoo- Make new animals Creature Feature Classifying Animals Interactive
Content Standard: 3.A.1.b/1.0 Skills and Processes Develop investigative questions about classifying plants by comparing leaves of the same kind of tree. Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Select relevant information from technology resources.	Plant Basics- Biology4Kids Just for Kids-Plant Life Cycle of a Plant Parts of a Plant *Login to Discovery Education before selecting the link.* *Please note that Discovery Streaming videos must be downloaded prior to viewing as per AACPS guidelines.* Graphing Data (Extension) Bar Graph
Content Standard: 3.A.1.c Justify reasons for placing new animals into established groups or creating a new group by classifying pictures of animals. Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Select relevant information from technology resources.	Real World Reading: Common Trees of Kentucky Study Guide
Content Standard: 3.A.1.d Describe what classifying tells us about how plants are related to each other by growing a variety of seeds. Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Select relevant information from technology resources.	Classify Seeds Classifying Seeds and Plants
Content Standard: 3.C.1.a Describe traits found in animals and plants, such as eye color, height, leaf shape, seed type that are passed from one generation to another. Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Use Technology to locate, evaluate, gather and organize information and data. Select relevant information from technology resources.	Career in Science: Geneticist Alternate Resource: BrainPop: Heredity
Content Standard: 3.C.1.b Decide if certain traits are inherited or learned by classifying pictures. Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Use Technology to locate, evaluate, gather and organize information and data. Select relevant information from technology resources.	Real World Reading: Inherited Traits and Learned Characteristics Is it Inherited or is it Learned? Double Take
Content Standard: 3.C.1.c Make predictions of what a parent looks like based on pictures of the offspring in order to ask questions like, “Why don’t all puppies have the same traits as their parents?” Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Use Technology to locate, evaluate, gather and organize information and data. Select relevant information from technology resources.	Litter of Puppies Picture Parents and Litter of Puppies Picture
Content Standard: 3.C.1.d Write an explanation to support the idea that information is passed from parent to offspring. Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Use Technology to locate, evaluate, gather and organize information and data. Select relevant information from technology resources.	Animal Babies and Adult Picture Cards.
Content Standard: (Project) 3.A.1.b Classify a variety of animals according to their observable features and provide reasons for placing them into different groups by designing a new zoo. Technology Standard: 5.A.1.a Use Technology to locate, evaluate, gather and organize information and data. Select relevant information from technology resources.	The Other Side of the Zoo Fence