Unit: Rolling with the Changes (Week 3, 5 Weeks)
Big Ideas/ Conceptual Lens
Change
Standards and Clarifying Objectives
NC Essential Standards: Science, NC: Grade 4 ,
Physical Science
Forces and Motion
4.P.1 Explain how various forces affect the motion
of an object.
Focus of Study
The phases of the moon.
The causes of day and night.
The causes of earths rotation.
The cause of seasons.
The cause of tides.
The erosion of the land.
The weathering of the land.
The deposition of weathered materials.
The quick and slow destruction of the land.
The relationships between the moon and earth.
Resources/Materials
Macmillan McGraw-Hill NC Science Textbook
Macmillan McGraw-Hill NC Reading in Science
Resources Book
Elmo
Projector
Laptops
Journals
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4.P.1.1 Explain how magnets interact with
AIMS Activities
all things made of iron and with other
FOSS Kits
magnets to produce motion without touching
Science Lab
them.
Book Selections:
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4.P.1.2 Explain how electrically charged
The Moon Seems to Change
objects push or pull on other electrically
Jump into Science Moon
charged objects and produce motion.
If You Decide to Go to the Moon
Papa, please get the moon for me
NC Essential Standards: Science, NC: Grade 4 ,
Hurricanes
Earth Science
Floods
Earth in the Universe
Sun, Moon and Stars
4.E.1 Explain the causes of day and night and
Earthquakes
phases of the moon.
The Moon
Lightning
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4.E.1.1 Explain the cause of day and night
Wild Earth
based on the rotation of Earth on its axis.
Volcano
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4.E.1.2 Explain the monthly changes in the
Hurricanes
appearance of the moon, based on the
The Earth
moon’s orbit around the Earth.
Tornado
How Mountains are Made
Floods
Earth History
4.E.2 Understand the use of fossils and changes in Passages:
the surface of the earth as evidence of the history of Our Changing Earth
What Glaciers Leave Behind
Earth and its changing life forms.
The Weathering and Erosion of Earth's Surface
Types of Weathering
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4.E.2.3 Give examples of how the surface
Water Carves Land
of the earth changes due to slow processes
United Streaming Videos:
such as erosion and weathering, and rapid
Space Exploration: Phases of the Moon
processes such as landslides, volcanic
Moon Cycle video - Phases of the Moon
eruptions, and earthquakes.
A Closer Look at Space: The Moon
Passages:
All About Galileo
Causes of Day and Night
Phases of the Moon
Watching for a Solar Eclipse
Why Does the Moon Orbit the Earth
Enduring Understandings
Students understand the features left behind by
glaciers and propose a possible explanation for how
they form.
Students understand the formation of glaciers and
the effect they have on the Earth's surface.
Students understand the transcendence of glaciers
over time.
Students understand agents that wear away Earth's
surface features.
Students understand that Earth's surface,
atmosphere, and life are constantly changing due to
internal and external forces.
Students understand that systems interact and
influence each other.
Students understand that processes that shape
Earth can be helpful or harmful.
Students understand Earth's rotation causes the
cycle of day and night.
Students understand the cause of the seasons
comes from Earth's tilt and revolution around the
Sun.
Students understand the moon phase and its name
in its course.
Essential Concepts and Critical Content
New Moon
Waning Crescent Moon
Full Moon
Waning Gibbous Moon
First Quarter Moon
Waxing Gibbous Moon
Last Quarter Moon
Waxing Crescent Moon
revolves
revolution
rotation
orbit
axis
internal forces
external forces
glacier
moraine
glacial till
terminus
erratic
outwash plain
weathering
erosion
deposition
seasons
Essential Questions
What are some of the ways that the surface of the Earth can be physically changed?
How does the Earth's surface change?
How does weathering change the surface of the Earth?
How do glaciers change the surface of the Earth?
How does erosion change the surface of the Earth?
How does deposition of material change the surface of the Earth?
How do wind, water, and ice changes rocks and soil over time?
Why does the appearance of the moon change?
What is the scientific method?
What is Earth Science?
What is Earth?
What is a North and South Pole?
What is an Axis?
What is a rotation?
What causes the Earth to rotate on its axis?
What is the Earth's relation to the sun?
What causes day and night?
Who is Albert Einstein?
Who is Isaac Newton?
What is gravity?
What is the moon?
Where is the moon?
What is the moon cycle?
What are effects on Earth based on the moon's orbit?
What is high and low tides?
Can catostrophic events effect the Earth and its axis?
If the Earth's axis changes what do you think could occur?
What is an earthquake?
What is a landslide?
What is a volcanic eruption?
What is weathering and erosion?
How can a catastrophic event change the Earth?
Do we affect the Earth?
Is there anything we can do to change our Earth for the better?
Integration Opportunities (Optional)
Additional Integration Opportunities
(Optional)
P21: 21st Century Student Outcomes, P21: K-12,
Info, Media & Tech Skills
Science Lab Experiments
Information Literacy Access and Evaluate
Reader's Theater on the Moon and Earth
Information
Reading - Literacy Block
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Evaluate information critically and
competently
Use and Manage Information
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Use information accurately and creatively
for the issue or problem at hand
ICT Literacy Apply Technology Effectively
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Use technology as a tool to research,
organize, evaluate and communicate
information
Character Qualities (Optional)
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Respect
Self-discipline
Caring
Responsibility
Integrity
Cooperation
Citizenship
Trustworthiness
Differentiation/Intervention Focus Areas
(Optional
Peer tutors
Reading Buddies
Cooperative Learning Groups
Ability Grouping
Inclusion
Formative, Interim, and Summative Assessments
ClassScape
Benchmark: Test: Benchmark
Topic Test
Professional Teaching Standards
NC Professional Teaching Standards, All Levels, Professional Teaching Standards
STANDARD I: TEACHERS DEMONSTRATE
LEADERSHIP
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Teachers lead in their classrooms.
Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school.
Teachers lead the teaching profession.
Teachers advocate for schools and students.
Teachers demonstrate high ethical standards.
STANDARD II: TEACHERS ESTABLISH A RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT FOR
A DIVERSE POPULATION OF STUDENTS
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Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive,
nurturing relationship with caring adults.
Teachers embrace diversity in the school community and in the world.
Teachers treat students as individuals.
Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with
special needs.
Teachers work collaboratively with the families and significant adults
in the lives of their students.
STANDARD III: TEACHERS KNOW THE CONTENT THEY TEACH
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Teachers align their instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.
Teachers know the content appropriate to their teaching specialty.
Teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content areas/disciplines.
STANDARD IV: TEACHERS FACILITATE LEARNING FOR THEIR STUDENTS
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Teachers know the ways in which learning takes place, and they know
the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional
development of their students.
Teachers plan instruction appropriate for their students.
Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.
Teachers integrate and utilize technology in their instruction.
Teachers help students develop critical thinking and problemsolving skills.
Teachers help students work in teams and develop leadership qualities.
Teachers communicate effectively.
Teachers use a variety of methods to assess what each student has learned.
STANDARD V: TEACHERS REFLECT ON THEIR PRACTICE
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Teachers analyze student learning.
Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.
Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment.