Students examine adjectives. They discover how adjectives make writing more interesting. Through various activities, students describe objects using different adjectives. Students write sentences on given topics using adjectives.

Students research tall buildings and identify the geometric shapes used in the construction of the buildings. They compare shapes and infer why some are better than others in building. They produce a multimedia presentation of geometric...

Fourth graders research a famous Virginian. They cite sources of the facts and data which they gather from a variety of sources. They present the material using PowerPoint and an oral presentation.

Students research the tribes of American Indians in Virginia and settled, agricultural tribes in other regions of America. They explain how geography and climate influenced the way various Indian tribes lived, and evaluate the impact of...

Fourth graders explore the interconnectedness of organisms in the environment and examine how different organisms obtain their basic needs. They discuss a frog's habitat and what is found in it. Students discuss the processes of...

Fourth graders describe the characteristics that determine if something is living, dead, or non-living. They determine the difference between living and non-living things. Students determine if an object is living or non-living and...

Fourth graders plan nutritional meals by using the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid and analyze food labels to aid in this planning. Using a slice of Wonderbread they discover what a calorie means, and that being active means burning up more...

Fourth graders plan a variety of nutritional meals using the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid as a reference and analyze food labels to plan their meals. They examine and discuss the Food Pyramid, and create dichotomous keys separating food...

Fourth graders examine the food labels on two similar items that are very different nutritionally such as a can of regular soda and a can of diet soda. Next they, sort through food labels to determine healthy and unhealthy foods by...

Students discover the meaning of the word erosion and discuss effects of rocks and sticks upon the soil. They then work in small groups to construct a model of erosion to make observations and then write them in their science journals.

Fourth graders explore the agents of erosion. They observe rocks that are rough and unweathered and record observations. They investigate rocks rubbed with sandpaper and ones that are not and the effects that the sandpaper has on the...

Fourth graders examine how to conduct a reliable scientific experiment so that the results are valid. They compare and contrast the reaction of Alka-Seltzer tables, one whole and one crushed, and time how long each takes to pop the top...

Fourth graders are introduced to a spring scale to show that the forces on both sides of the pulley are the same. They break into groups to lift objects with fixed pulleys and with multiple looped pulleys and then measure the force...

Fourth graders examine the physics behind and uses for inclined planes, screws, and wedges. They determine examples of how these simple machines are used in daily life. Working in three small groups, they move from station to station...

Students research and locate their own weather data using a weather website. They examine how to locate valid information on the www.weather.com website, and explore the website. Next, they select a city they want to visit, and compare...

Fourth graders examine the symbols used on weather maps. They analyze a newspaper weather forecast and identify and discuss the various symbols used on the map. Next, they prepare a weather map for their own city using the symbols...

Fourth graders study the Grand Canyon. They research the Grand Canyon and locate the Colorado River on the map of Arizona. They discuss erosion and read how sedimentary rock was formed. They view photographs of the Grand Canyon and...

Young scholars explore the use of sundials. They observe the shadows cast by the sun and record the times at various points throughout the day. They create sundials and record the location of the shadows and the time of day. They view...

Fourth graders explore whether the making of homemade ice cream is a physical change or a chemical change in a lab experiment. Students identify states of matter, describe the physical properties of states, and collect temperature data...

Fourth graders explore the story Mandy Sue Day and investigate centrifugal force. They demonstrate the concept of centrifugal force, use analytical thinking and they conduct an experiment using centrifugal force. Students discuss the...

Fourth graders make observations of the reactions that happens between calcium carbonate and various liquids. During the experiment the students determine if there is a chemical change, a physical reaction, or no reaction when they mix...

Fourth graders determine what is meant by a physical change, and they demonstrate how they can make physical changes. They complete activities at stations that entail changes in color, size, texture, hardness, or state of matter. Using...

Fourth graders predict what happens in a teacher demonstration of a chemical change, before watching it. They observe the demonstration and list what the see on the board before determining which represent chemical change. Working at...

Fourth graders make toffee to observe both physical and chemical changes. They determine what types of changes that are caused by the cooking process and which are chemical, and which are physical. In order to do this they follow a...