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Georgia Standards of Excellence

Grade 4 Science Standards

Everything Georgia expects Grade 4 students to learn in Science, on one page. These are the official Georgia Standards of Excellence: the same goals teachers plan from.

8 standards · Open in the interactive explorer · Plain-text version

Earth and Space Science

Earth and Space Science

S4E1Stars and Planets Compared

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to compare and contrast the physical attributes of stars and planets.

Across the grades →

  • S4E1.a

    Ask questions to compare and contrast technological advances that have changed the amount and type of information on distant objects in the sky.

  • S4E1.b

    Construct an argument on why some stars (including the Earth's sun) appear to be larger or brighter than others.

  • S4E1.c

    Construct an explanation of the differences between stars and planets.

  • S4E1.d

    Evaluate strengths and limitations of models of our solar system in describing relative size, order, appearance and composition of planets and the sun.

S4E2Earth, Moon, and Sun Motion

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to model the effects of the position and motion of the Earth and the moon in relation to the sun as observed from the Earth.

Across the grades →

  • S4E2.a

    Develop a model to support an explanation of why the length of day and night change throughout the year.

  • S4E2.b

    Develop a model based on observations to describe the repeating pattern of the phases of the moon (new, crescent, quarter, gibbous, and full).

  • S4E2.c

    Construct an explanation of how the Earth's orbit, with its consistent tilt, affects seasonal changes.

S4E3The Water Cycle

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to demonstrate the water cycle.

Across the grades →

  • S4E3.a

    Plan and carry out investigations to observe the flow of energy in water as it changes states from solid (ice) to liquid (water) to gas (water vapor) and changes from gas to liquid to solid.

  • S4E3.b

    Develop models to illustrate multiple pathways water may take during the water cycle (evaporation, condensation, and precipitation).

S4E4Weather Prediction and Patterns

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to predict weather events and infer weather patterns using weather charts/maps and collected weather data.

Across the grades →

  • S4E4.a

    Construct an explanation of how weather instruments (thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, wind vane, and anemometer) are used in gathering weather data and making forecasts.

  • S4E4.b

    Interpret data from weather maps, including fronts (warm, cold, and stationary), temperature, pressure, and precipitation to make an informed prediction about tomorrow's weather.

  • S4E4.c

    Ask questions and use observations of cloud types (cirrus, stratus, and cumulus) and data of weather conditions to predict weather events.

  • S4E4.d

    Construct an explanation based on research to communicate the difference between weather and climate.

Physical Science

Physical Science

S4P1Light and Object Interactions

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the nature of light and how light interacts with objects.

Across the grades →

  • S4P1.a

    Plan and carry out investigations to observe and record how light interacts with various materials to classify them as opaque, transparent, or translucent.

  • S4P1.b

    Plan and carry out investigations to describe the path light travels from a light source to a mirror and how it is reflected by the mirror using different angles.

  • S4P1.c

    Plan and carry out an investigation utilizing everyday materials to explore examples of when light is refracted.

S4P2Sound and Light Communication

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how sound is produced and changed and how sound and/or light can be used to communicate.

Across the grades →

  • S4P2.a

    Plan and carry out an investigation utilizing everyday objects to produce sound and predict the effects of changing the strength or speed of vibrations.

  • S4P2.b

    Design and construct a device to communicate across a distance using light and/or sound.

S4P3Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the relationship between balanced and unbalanced forces.

Across the grades →

  • S4P3.a

    Plan and carry out an investigation on the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on an object and communicate the results.

  • S4P3.b

    Construct an argument to support the claim that gravitational force affects the motion of an object.

  • S4P3.c

    Ask questions to identify and explain the uses of simple machines (lever, pulley, wedge, inclined plane, wheel and axle, and screw) and how forces are changed when simple machines are used to complete tasks.

Life Science

Life Science

S4L1Ecosystem Roles and Energy Flow

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem.

Across the grades →

  • S4L1.a

    Develop a model to describe the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in a community.

  • S4L1.b

    Develop simple models to illustrate the flow of energy through a food web/food chain beginning with sunlight and including producers, consumers, and decomposers.

  • S4L1.c

    Design a scenario to demonstrate the effect of a change on an ecosystem.

  • S4L1.d

    Use printed and digital data to develop a model illustrating and describing changes to the flow of energy in an ecosystem when plants or animals become scarce, extinct or over-abundant.