Unit Lesson Plan – Earth and Human Activity
Teacher:
Grade:
Subject:
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Time
Frame:
4
25 days
School:
PSI 4th Grade Science
NGSS DCI
ESS3.A:Natural Resources
Energy and fuels that humans use are derived from natural sources, and
their use affects the environment in multiple ways. Some resources are
renewable over time, and others are not. (4-ESS3-1)
ESS3.B: Natural Hazards
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. (4-ESS3-2) (Note: This Disciplinary
Core Idea can also be found in 3.WC.)
Ets1.B: Designing Solutions to
Engineering Problems
Testing a solution involves investigating how well it performs under a
range of likely conditions. (secondary to 4-ESS3-2)
http://www.nextgenscience.org/4ess3-earth-human-activity
Instructional Objective:
4-ESS3-1:
Instructional Objective:
4-ESS3-2:
Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are
derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment.
Generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural
Earth processes on humans.
Essential Questions
(What questions will the student be able to answer as a result of the instruction?)
1. What classifies a resource as renewable or nonrenewable?
2. How is the environment affected by the use of different forms of energy and fuels?
3. What can humans do to reduce the impact of the hazards that result from natural processes?
4. What considerations should be made in constructing an “Earthquake proof” building?
Knowledge & Skills
(What skills are needed to achieve the desired results?)
By the end of this unit, students will know:
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:




What renewable and nonrenewable
resources are, especially as that applies
to fuels
What the sources of fuel are.
There are benefits and consequences to
the use of fuels.
Humans can reduce the impacts of
natural processes through monitoring
Earth’s processes.
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



Define natural resources
Define renewable and nonrenewable fuels
List 3 benefits of using fuels
List 3 consequences to the environment of
using fuels
 Contrast and compare Earth’s natural hazards
and their effect on humans.
 Design a structure that addresses impacts of
Earth’s natural hazards.
4th Grade PSI
Earth and Human Activity

Humans can reduce the impacts of
natural processes through engineering
innovation and design.
Assessment
(What is acceptable evidence to show desired results (rubrics, exam, etc.)? Attach Copy
During the Smart Notebook lesson designed to introduce concepts, students will be continually
questioned on these concepts using a combination of class work/homework questions and the
SMART Response system. Classwork and Homework questions will be discussed as a class and
misconceptions will be addressed by the teacher prior to the formal evaluations listed below.
Lab 1: Solar Cooker
Lab 2: Mining
Quiz 1: Resources Quiz
Lab 3: Energy from Garbage Activity
Quiz 2: Fuels Quiz
Lab 4: Natural Hazards Current Event
Lab 5: Earthquake Proof Building
Quiz 3: Natural Hazards Quiz
(What is the sequence of activities, learning experiences, etc, that will lead to desired results
(the plan)?
Topic
Classwork/Labs
Homework
1
Natural Resources
Slides 4-15
Natural Resources HW
#1-6
2
Natural Resources
Scavenger Hunt
Slide 16
Finish follow-up
questions (if necessary)
3
Renewable Resources
Slides 17-31
Renewable Resources
HW #1-3
4
Solar Cooker
Slide 32
Optional: Extension
ideas
5
Nonrenewable
Resources
Slides 33-41
Nonrenewable
Resources HW #1-6
Day
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4th Grade PSI
Earth and Human Activity
6
Mining
Slide 42
Finish follow-up
questions; Study for
Quiz
7
Resources Quiz
Quiz
N/A
8
Fuels; Set up Energy
from Garbage Activity
(to be checked back
on in a week)
Slides 44-55
Fuels HW #1-8
9-10
Fossil Fuels and
Electricity
Slides 56-69; Magnets
and Electricity Demo
Fossil Fuels and
Electricity HW #1-5;
Study for Quiz
11
Fuels Quiz
Quiz
N/A
12-13
Natural Hazards
Slides 71-87; Recent
Natural Disasters
Activity
Natural Hazards HW
#1-5
14
Energy from Garbage
Activity Follow-up
Activity WKST
Finish follow-up
questions (if needed)
15-18
Natural Hazards
Activity WKST
19-22
Earthquakes;
Earthquake-Proof
Building
Slides 88-94; Build
Earthquake-Proof
building, Test Building,
Complete Journal, Do
one Post-Activity
Assessment
Complete Post-Activity
Assessment; Study for
Quiz
23
Natural Hazards Quiz
Quiz; Start Study
Guide
Complete Study Guide
24
Test Review
Study Guide Review
Study for Test
25
Unit Test
Test
N/A
*While there are many slides for each topic, several slides within the notebook are
hidden and won’t be used during instructional time.
**HW Problems are currently not scaffolded from least to most difficult, but are instead
listed in order of topic. Teacher should pay special attention at the end of each class
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4th Grade PSI
Earth and Human Activity
period when assigning HW so that only problems related to the topic that was taught are
being assigned.
***Pacing guide is based on 40 minute periods, it may need to be adjusted to fit your
school schedule.
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4th Grade PSI
Earth and Human Activity