Unit 1

Physical Science: Matter

Properties of Matter: Measuring mass, volume, and density. States of Matter (solids, liquids, gases) and how they change (freezing, melting, evaporation). Mixtures and Solutions.

Using tools to measure (balances, graduated cylinders). Data collection and graphing.

Design a system to separate a complex mixture.

Unit 2

Physical Science: Energy & Forces

Energy: Forms of energy (light, heat, sound, electrical, mechanical). Transfer of energy. Forces: Gravity, friction, and magnetism. Simple Machines (lever, pulley, wheel and axle).

Designing and building simple machines. Investigating how force affects motion (push/pull).

Build and test a vehicle powered by a non-mechanical energy source (ee.g., rubber band, balloon).

Unit 3

Earth Science: Weather & Water

Weather: The water cycle, measuring weather conditions (temperature, wind speed, precipitation). Cloud formation and basic weather prediction. Erosion: The effects of wind, water, and ice on landforms.

Observing and recording weather data over time. Creating models of the water cycle.

Create a weather station using household materials and record data for one week.

Unit 4

Earth Science: The Solar System

Space: Components of the Solar System (Sun, planets, moons, asteroids). Earth's rotation (day/night) and revolution (seasons). Moon phases and eclipses.

Building scale models of the solar system. Observing and charting the Moon's appearance over a month.

Research and present on one planet, focusing on its relationship to the Sun.

Unit 5

Life Science: Organisms & Environments

Ecosystems: Producers, consumers, and decomposers. Food chains and food webs. Adaptations: How plants and animals adapt to survive in their specific environments (deserts, forests, aquatic).

Identifying components of a local ecosystem. Observing animal behaviors and plant responses.

Research an animal's unique structural or behavioral adaptation and design a way to protect that adaptation.

Unit 6

Life Science: Structures & Functions

Plants: Identifying and explaining the function of plant parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers). Photosynthesis (basic understanding). Animals: Human body systems (skeletal, muscular, digestive—overview).

Dissection (virtual or physical) of a flower/seed to identify parts. Modeling how plant structures help them grow.

Create a labeled diagram or model of a flowering plant, explaining the function of each part.

Unit 1

Setting Goals & Narratives

Fiction & Personal Narrative: Understanding plot, setting, characterization, internal/external conflict, and theme. Analyzing point of view (1st and 3rd person).

Personal Narrative Writing: Drafting, revising for sensory details, dialogue, and sequence. Grammar: Reviewing sentence structure and types.

Unit Assessment 1

Unit 2

Invention & Informational Texts

Informational Texts: Making inferences, synthesizing information from multiple sources, identifying main ideas and supporting evidence. Analyzing text structure (compare/contrast, cause/effect).

Informational Writing / Persuasive Pitch: Research skills, citing sources, and writing a persuasive essay/pitch using logical reasons and evidence.

Unit Assessment 2

Unit 3

Poetry & Figurative Language

Poetry & Literary Nonfiction: Analyzing poetic elements (rhyme, rhythm, stanza), understanding figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification, idioms/adages). Interpreting mood and tone.

Poetry Writing: Creating various forms of poetry; focusing on precise word choice and imagery. Grammar: Punctuation and capitalization rules.

Unit Assessment 3

Unit 4

Drama & Text Features

Drama & Literary Text: Identifying dramatic elements (dialogue, stage directions, cast of characters). Using text features (headings, captions, graphs) to locate and understand information.

Short Script Writing: Writing dialogue, stage directions, and creating a brief scene. Language: Recognizing and correcting fragments and run-on sentences.

Unit Assessment 4

Unit 5

Biographies & Research

Expository Texts (Biography/Autobiography): Distinguishing between fact and opinion, identifying primary and secondary sources, and evaluating the author's purpose in conveying biographical information.

Research Project: Conducting multi-step research on a historical figure, synthesizing information into a structured report, and organizing paragraphs logically.

Unit Assessment 5

Unit 6

Argument & Persuasion

Persuasive Texts: Analyzing argumentative texts; distinguishing claims from evidence, recognizing rhetorical devices, and evaluating the logic of an argument.

Argumentative Essay: Stating a clear claim, supporting it with evidence, and structuring a multi-paragraph essay. Grammar: Verb tense consistency and subject-verb agreement.

Unit Assessment 6

Unit 7

Synthesis & Review

Cross-Genre Skills: Review and application of all major 4th-grade comprehension skills across fiction, informational, and literary genres in preparation for standardized testing.

Review & Editing: Intensive focus on editing for conventions (spelling, capitalization, punctuation) and revising for clarity and coherence.

Final Comprehensive Assessment