4th+Grade+Science

Animal Adaptations
Life Requirements - Organisms have basic needs. Animals need air, water, and food. Animals use food as a source of energy and as a source of building material for growth and repair. Structures and Functions- Organisms have different structuresthat serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction. (Animals use structures for temperature control, support, movement, food-getting and protection.) Classification - Animals can be classified on the basis of observable characteristics. Animal characteristics include backbones, body coverings and limbs Environmental Adaptation - Different kinds of animals have characteristics that help them to live in different environments. (Examples include sharp teeth, claws, color, body coverings). Survival - Individuals of the same kind differ in their characteristics, and sometimes the differences give individuals an advantage in surviving and reproducing. (Examples include color, leg length, size, wing size.)

Plants
Life Requirements - Organisms have basic needs. Plants need air, water, and food. Plants also require light. Plants use food as a source of energy and as a source of building material for growth and repair. Structures and Functions - Organisms have different structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction. Plant structures include flowers, stems, roots and leaves. Classification - Plants can be classified on the basis of observable characteristics. Plant characteristics include roots, leaves, stems and flowers Environmental Adaptation - Different kinds of plants have characteristics that help them to live in different environments. (Examples include leaf shape, thorns, odor, color). Survival - Individuals of the same kind differ in their characteristics, and sometimes the differences give individuals an advantage in surviving and reproducing. Examples include (color, size, leaf shape)

Changes of State
States of Matter - Matter exists in several different states: solids, liquids, and gases. Each state of matter has unique physical properties. Gases are easily compressed, but liquids and solids do not compress easily. Solids have their own particular shapes, but liquids and gases take the shape of the container. Changes in State - Matter can be changed from one state (liquid, solid, gas) to another and then back again. Heating and cooling may cause changes in state.

Magnetism and Electricity
Forms of Energy - Heat, electricity, light, and sound are forms of energy. Electrical Circuits - Electrical circuits transfer electrical energy and produce magnetic fields. Magnets - Magnets can repel or attract other magnets. Magnets can also attract magnetic objects. Magnets can attract and repel at a distance. Conductive and Reflective Properties - Objects vary to the extent they absorb and reflect light energy and conduct heat and electricity.