Year 4
The science inquiry skills and science as a human endeavour strands are described across a two-year band. In their planning, schools and teachers refer to the expectations outlined in the achievement standard and also to the content of the science understanding strand for the relevant year level to ensure that these two strands are addressed over the two-year period. The three strands of the curriculum are interrelated and their content is taught in an integrated way. The order and detail in which the content descriptions are organised into teaching and learning programs are decisions to be made by the teacher.
Incorporating the key ideas of science
Over Years 3 to 6, students develop their understanding of a range of systems operating at different time and geographic scales.
In Year 4, students broaden their understanding of classification and form and function through an exploration of the properties of natural and processed materials. They learn that forces include non-contact forces and begin to appreciate that some interactions result from phenomena that can't be seen with the naked eye. They begin to appreciate that current systems, such as Earth's surface, have characteristics that have resulted from past changes and that living things form part of systems. They understand that some systems change in predictable ways, such as through cycles. They apply their knowledge to make predictions based on interactions within systems, including those involving the actions of humans.
(source: www.australiancurriculum.edu.au)
Achievement Standard
By the end of Year 4, students apply the observable properties of materials to explain how objects and materials can be used. They describe how contact and non-contact forces affect interactions between objects. They discuss how natural processes and human activity cause changes to Earth’s surface. They describe relationships that assist the survival of living things and sequence key stages in the life cycle of a plant or animal. They identify when science is used to understand the effect of their actions.
Students follow instructions to identify investigable questions about familiar contexts and make predictions based on prior knowledge. They describe ways to conduct investigations and safely use equipment to make and record observations with accuracy. They use provided tables and column graphs to organise data and identify patterns. Students suggest explanations for observations and compare their findings with their predictions. They suggest reasons why a test was fair or not. They use formal and informal ways to communicate their observations and findings.
(source: www.australiancurriculum.edu.au)
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Working Scientifically Knowledge Check Worksheet
A worksheet used to check the students' knowledge of working scientifically.
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Friction Poster
Show students frictional force examples using this friction poster perfect for Year 4 science lessons.
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Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores – Sorting Activity
Determine if animals are omnivores, carnivores, or herbivores based on their diet with this sorting activity.
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Desert Food Chain - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Create a desert food chain to show how energy flows between organisms with this cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Arctic Food Chain - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Create an Arctic food chain to show how energy flows between organisms with this cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Tree Observation Worksheets
Record observations of trees in the local environment with a printable graphic organiser.
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Plant Journal Observation Worksheets
Observe and record information about plants with a printable plant journal worksheet.
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Grassland Biome Food Web - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Challenge students to create a food web and explain how energy flows between organisms with this cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Tundra Biome Food Web - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Challenge students to create a food web and explain how energy flows between organisms with this cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Desert Biome Food Web - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Challenge students to create a food web and explain how energy flows between organisms with this cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Freshwater Biome Food Web - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Challenge students to create a food web and explain how energy flows between organisms with this cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Magnetism Crossword Puzzle
Use this magnetism crossword puzzle to reinforce the scientific vocabulary related this non-contact force.
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Is It Magnetic? Sorting Activity
Use this sorting activity when classifying objects as magnetic or not magnetic.
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Lab Equipment Vocabulary – Match-Up Activity
Identify different types of science tools by matching vocabulary terms, pictures and definitions.
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Spring Scale Poster – Diagram with Labels
A poster containing a diagram with labels showing the key parts of a spring scale.
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Bunsen Burner Poster – Diagram with Labels
A poster containing a diagram with labels showing the key parts of a Bunsen burner.
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Triple Beam Balance Scale Poster – Diagram with Labels
A poster containing a diagram with labels showing the key parts of a triple beam balance scale.
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Lab Equipment Poster – Diagram with Labels
A poster containing a diagram with labels showing standard lab equipment.
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Refracting Telescope Poster – Diagram with Labels
A poster containing a diagram with labels showing the key parts of a refracting telescope.
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Thermometer Poster – Diagram with Labels
A poster containing a diagram with labels showing the key parts of a thermometer.
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Microscope Poster – Diagram with Labels
A poster containing a diagram with labels showing the key parts of a microscope.
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R.E.R.U.N. - Writing a Scientific Conclusion Fact Sheet
An educational fact sheet introducing the students to the R.E.R.U.N. method for writing a scientific conclusion.
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Freshwater Ecosystems Poster
A poster explaining Freshwater Ecosystems.
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Minibeasts Teaching Resource Pack
This extensive collection of minibeasts resources includes educational posters, classroom decorations, word wall templates, page templates and worksheets for you to mix and match with your class.
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Science Equipment Poster Bundle for the Classroom
A poster resource pack containing a diagrams with labels showing the key parts of various pieces of scientific apparatus.
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Australian Animals Teaching Resource Pack
A comprehensive resource pack of posters, worksheets and activities for teaching Australian animals.
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Material World Unit Plan
This Chemical Sciences unit investigates natural and processed materials. Demonstrations and experimental procedures are explored with particular attention given to the scientific method.
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Living in the Material World - Examining Natural and Processed Materials
A 60 minute lesson in which students will examine and understand the differences between natural and processed materials and their uses.
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Vital Vegetation
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate the different ways that vegetation can be beneficial.
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Exploring Plants
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate the importance of natural vegetation to animals and people.
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Natural Science - How Do People Use Natural Materials?
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate the use of natural materials by humans throughout history.
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Working Scientifically Knowledge Check
An assessment task in which students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of how to work scientifically.