SC.4.P.10.2

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Investigate and describe that energy has the ability to cause motion or create change.
General Information
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 4
Body of Knowledge: Physical Science
Idea: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Big Idea: Forms of Energy -

A. Energy is involved in all physical processes and is a unifying concept in many areas of science.

B. Energy exists in many forms and has the ability to do work or cause a change.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5020050: Science - Grade Four (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7720050: Access Science Grade 4 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
5020110: STEM Lab Grade 4 (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SC.4.P.10.Pa.1: Recognize a source of heat energy (fire, heater).
SC.4.P.10.In.2: Describe the results of applying electrical energy (turn on lights, make motors run); heat energy (burn wood, change temperature); and energy of motion (go faster, change direction).
SC.4.P.10.Su.2: Recognize the results of using electrical energy (turning on television); heat energy (burning wood); and energy of motion (rolling ball).

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Formative Assessment

Bounce Back Ball:

Students will be working in teams of four to measure the rebound heights of a tennis ball dropped from four different heights. Students will be investigating with the bouncing balls to measure changes in the type of energy they possess.

Type: Formative Assessment

Lesson Plans

The Fast and the Curious:

In this lesson the students learn about wind energy and how it transforms through kinetic energy by designing a wind-powered model car.

Type: Lesson Plan

Friction: Friend or Foe?:

In this lesson, students will learn how different variables (mass, friction, and force) affect the motion of an object.

Type: Lesson Plan

"Life's a Breeze!":

In this Engineering Design Challenge, students must design a vessel that will carry passengers safely and quickly across a body of water by harnessing the power of the wind. Students will be given the opportunity to test and improve their vessels as they apply various math and science skills.

Type: Lesson Plan

Waterpark Angles:

Your students have been hired as a team to build an amazing new slide for the brand new Water World theme park! Their teams will work to build multiple water slides and will decide which angle degree best helps the marble shoot farthest. Throughout the lesson they will be working with identifying and measuring angles while relating angle types and their measurements. Students will also be working with the idea of kinetic and potential energy.

Type: Lesson Plan

Sunshine Power Company MEA:

This Model Eliciting Activity (MEA) is written at a 4th grade level. In this open-ended problem, students must consider how to rank wind companies based on factors like windiness, noise levels, and power output. In teams, students determine their procedures and write letters back to the client.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

To Flow or Blow: Which One is Best for Here?:

In this lesson, 4th grade students will use web-based articles and maps to look at current and potential air (wind) and water (hydro)power plants for their, or a teacher-given, local area. Students will present an argument for which type of renewable energy plant they believe would be best citing evidence from text(s) and/or map(s). Students may work and/or write in groups or individually. Access points are included for this lesson.

Type: Lesson Plan

Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Waves:

When your classroom is the open ocean, which is the longest period? The one from the tsunami.

Related Resources:
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: GPS Data Set[.XLSX]
KROS Pacific Ocean Kayak Journey: Path Visualization for Google Earth[.KML]

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast

Resource Collection

Energy Kids:

This website provides information and resources for teachers seeking to make learning about energy fun and exciting for students. Renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy are well organized and supplemented with diagrams, maps, and graphs. Other sections include fun facts about energy, games & activities, history, and classroom activities. This resource was developed by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Type: Resource Collection

Teaching Ideas

Boing! Wind Me Up!:

This activity features a wind-up boat which uses the stored energy of a rubber band to motor around a bathtub or any other body of water you choose to use!

Type: Teaching Idea

Exploring Sound Length Makes A Difference:

In this elementary physics lab, students will begin to explore the relationship between the length of an object and the sound it produces as it vibrates, by using a wood or plastic ruler and the edge of a desk or table.

Type: Teaching Idea

Jitterbug and Shake, Rattle and Vibrate:

As a result of this activity, students will be able to explain that various objects can be made to vibrate, producing different sounds.

Type: Teaching Idea

STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity

Sunshine Power Company MEA:

This Model Eliciting Activity (MEA) is written at a 4th grade level. In this open-ended problem, students must consider how to rank wind companies based on factors like windiness, noise levels, and power output. In teams, students determine their procedures and write letters back to the client.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.