The NGSS in California

Structure, Function, and Information Processing

• 4-PS4-2 Develop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen.

  • How do we see objects? (4-H.1)

• 4-LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

  • Human organs and their functions (4-L.3)
  • Body systems: circulation and respiration (4-L.4)
  • Body systems: digestion (4-L.5)
  • Body systems: removing waste (4-L.6)
  • Body systems: perception and motion (4-L.7)
  • Identify plant parts and their functions (4-M.2)
  • Identify flower parts and their functions (4-M.4)
  • Introduction to adaptations (4-N.1)
  • Animal adaptations: beaks, mouths, and necks (4-N.2)
  • Animal adaptations: feet and limbs (4-N.3)
  • Animal adaptations: skins and body coverings (4-N.4)

• 4-LS1-2 Use a model to describe that animals' receive different types of information through their senses, process the information in their brain, and respond to the information in different ways.

  • Body systems: perception and motion (4-L.7)

Earth's Systems: Processes that Shape the Earth

• 4-ESS1-1 Identify evidence from patterns in rock formations and fossils in rock layers to support an explanation for changes in a landscape over time.

  • Interpret evidence from fossils in rock layers (4-T.5)

• 4-ESS2-1 Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.

  • Changes to Earth's surface: erosion (4-S.1)

• 4-ESS2-2 Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth's features.

  • Describe and graph water on Earth (4-V.3)
  • Read a topographic map (4-V.4)
  • Select parts of a topographic map (4-V.5)
  • Changes to Earth's surface: volcanic eruptions (4-W.2)

• 4-ESS3-2 Generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural Earth processes on humans.

  • Evaluate multiple design solutions to prevent flooding (4-Y.1)
  • Identify the best design solution to prevent hurricane damage (4-Y.2)

Energy

• 4-PS3-1 Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.

  • How are speed and energy related? (4-C.4)

• 4-PS3-2 Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.

  • Introduction to energy (4-E.1)
  • Predict heat flow (4-F.1)
  • Predict temperature changes (4-F.2)
  • Electric circuits (4-G.2)

• 4-PS3-3 Ask questions and predict outcomes about the changes in energy that occur when objects collide.

• 4-PS3-4 Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.

  • Energy transformation (4-E.2)

• 4-ESS3-1 Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment.

  • Natural energy resources: coal and wind (4-R.2)
  • Evaluate natural energy sources (4-R.3)

Waves: Waves and Information

• 4-PS4-1 Develop a model of waves to describe patterns in terms of amplitude and wavelength and that waves can cause objects to move.

  • Compare amplitudes and wavelengths of waves (4-I.1)

• 4-PS4-3 Generate and compare multiple solutions that use patterns to transfer information.

  • Communicating with patterns: Morse code (4-I.2)

Engineering Design

• 3-5-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.

  • Identify the best design solution to prevent hurricane damage (4-Y.2)

• 3-5-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.

  • Evaluate multiple design solutions to prevent flooding (4-Y.1)
  • Identify the best design solution to prevent hurricane damage (4-Y.2)

• 3-5-ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.