This is a bundle of PBL science units for 4th grade. These project-based learning (science-focused) research-based units are the perfect way to teach reading, writing, research skills, and science in one engaging, real-world unit. Your students will use key standards, such as research, reading comprehension, and engineering design in a real-life scenario. The best part about PBL is that student choice and differentiation are built in!
4th Grade Driving Questions:
- How can I design a solution that will reduce the impact of natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, or volcanic eruptions on humans?
- How can I communicate information on the effects of weathering and the rate of erosion with people in the community?
- How can I design an experiment for my class to test a device that converts energy from one form to another?
- How can we create models of plant and animal structures to help young children learn about how various organisms function?
Banish those boring worksheets and get your students excited about real-life learning! These projects cover the following skills:
- Research
- Reading Comprehension
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Writing
- Design & Creativity
- Critical Thinking
- Engineering Design Process
- Data Displays
- Scientific Method
Included in this Resource:
- Lesson Outline
- Sample Pacing
- Teacher Guide with Lesson Plans
- Scaffolded Research Notes
- Engineering Design Process Overview
- Rubric & Sample Answers
Plus, a BONUS digital version is included as well!
NGSS Standards Covered:
- NGSS-4-ESS2-1
Make obervations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation. - NGSS3-5-ETS1-1
Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. - NGSS3-5-ETS1-2
Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. - NGSS4-ESS3-2
Generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural Earth processes on humans. A variety of hazards result from natural processes (e.g., earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions). Humans cannot eliminate the hazards but can take steps to reduce their impacts. - NGSS.4-PS3-2: Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.
- NGSS.4-PS3-4: Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.
- NGSS. 4-LS1-1: Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
