4th Grade Science 

Sections: 6042C, 6042E, 6042V

Tuesdays at 11:00

Instructors:  Kim Gutierrez and Peggy Sue Anderson  

Email: kguiterrez@cwcharter.org  and   psanderson@cwcharter.org

 

Use the BigBlueButton link to join the live class.

Please use the email section in Canvas to communicate with us. This will allow both of us to view any communications promptly and efficiently. :)

Class Information:  

 

• Semester 1 - First class Online Meeting Tuesday August 20, 2024. The last day to add or drop is September 9th(Students will be charged the full price of the course if they drop the class after this deadline.)
• Semester 2 - First class Online Meeting Tuesday January 7th, 2025 The last day to add or drop is TBD (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.) 

 

Course Overview:  

Our 4th grade science class is designed to be a fun and engaging way for students to learn California Science standards.  We will be using Elevate Science curriculum, fun science experiment kits and employing technology as a learning tool for our students. 

• Semester 1 

○ Energy, Speed and Moving Objects 

○ Energy Conversions

○ Maps and Data

○ Patterns of Earth’s Features

○ Weathering and Erosion

○ Tectonic Hazards

• Semester 2 

○ Weather Hazards

○ Internal / External Structures and Functions of Plants 

○ Internal / External Structures and Functions of Animals 

○ Patterns in Fossils and Rock Formations

○ Properties and Patterns of Waves

Class Expectations:

All tests and assignments will be posted in the Modules in Canvas. This course requires that students study every day. For this reason, it is important that they attend class regularly, arrive at class on time, and come to class prepared to participate with working microphones. 

Please note: The pacing guide is subject to change. Any change will be posted in the Canvas modules. Students enrolled in the course should check the Canvas homepage for up-to-date and detailed assignments daily. 

Technology Requirements: Students must have reliable internet access, and a headset with a microphone. 

Curriculum: Required curriculum is available at the Learning Center on a first-come basis. If needed, ESs can order curriculum using the OPS catalog which will have the most up-to-date pricing. Students that need to order from Atrium Go to Atriuum, Visuals Tab, Science, 4th grade, Click on all science offerings. 

California Elevate Science 4th Grade Text with online access (4 workbooks) 

California Elevate Science 4th Grade Teacher’s Edition 

Science kits to be determined 

Other Required Materials: 

• Working external headset with mic (computer speakers do not work successfully with the Canvas setup). Plug-in headsets (rather than Bluetooth) work best.  Class is much more engaging if all students can talk in class using their mic. 

Requirements: 

• Class textbook/workbook 
• Gmail Account and ability to open/create Word documents and pdf’s 
• Reliable Internet access
• Canvas Login link: https://cwcs.instructure.com/login/canvas

Grading: 

Students will be graded on attendance, homework assignments, and module progress quizzes, tests, and projects. Overall course grade: 

30% Attendance/Participation 

30% Homework, Notebook 

40% Quizzes, Tests, Projects 

Grading Scale for TK-7:

E	S	N
Excellent= Mastery Student consistently meets or exceeds grade level standards. 89 - 100%	Satisfactory = Student is Progressing Towards Mastery Student is meeting grade level standards 70 - 88%	Needs Improvement = Student is unable to meet grade level standards on their own. Student needs support and unable to meet grade level expectations.  69% and below

Attendance: 

Attendance is required. The Truancy Policy applies to Canvas courses. An unexcused absence may be counted as a truancy. 

• Excused Absence: 

The parent shall notify the teacher by phone of the absence at least 24     hours* prior to the time the class meets. 

 

• Unexcused Absence: 

An absence that does not accompany a parent's phone call or email to the instructor at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets. 

 

*If there are extenuating circumstances that do not allow for at least 24 hours, then the teacher must still be notified prior to the start of class; allowances may be made depending on the circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances: car accidents, sudden illness, etc. Students should arrange a "backup plan" in case of unexpected computer problems the day of the class (i.e. make pre-arrangements to go to a neighbor, friend, relative, library, etc.) 

 

Daily Homework: 

Weekly assignments typically include: 

• Class attendance & participation 
• Weekly reading and textbook assignments 
• Topic Assessments 

• Quizzes

Weekly modules will guide students through their class requirements and these will be submitted through Canvas. All communication will be submitted through Canvas and Canvas’ email feature. 

Attendance & Participation

You are expected to attend class, participate in group discussions and activities weekly, and take the attendance quiz. If you aren’t able to attend, a video and notes will be posted at the bottom of the Modules. 

 

Homework is overseen by the Parent Educator 

The weekly reading and weekly assignments will be overseen and graded by the parent educator. Students will complete their assignments right in their Elevate Science Textbook which is designed for your student to write in, take notes in, and complete weekly lesson check questions located at the end of each section. The parent educator will review and grade these assignments. Your student will additionally upload/complete several assignments per semester for review by me.It is the Parent Educator’s job to make sure your student does not fall behind on his/her reading and assignments and maintains a notebook as the results will show up in weekly quizzes and tests. 

Pacing Guide: 

*PLEASE NOTE: Assignments are subject to change. The pacing and assignments of this course will greatly depend on student needs, virtual field trip scheduling, and will be updated weekly on the Canvas Modules.

Week 1: August 13  -  First week of school

Week 2: August 20 - Topic 1  Lesson 1: Energy, Speed and Moving Objects

Week 3: August 27 - Topic 1  Lesson 2: Collisions

Week 4: September 3 - Topic 1  Lesson 3: Energy Transfer

Week 5: September 10 - Topic 1  Lesson 4: Electric Circuits 

Week 6: September 17 - Science Lab / Review and Assess

Week 7: September 24 - Topic 2  Lesson 1: Energy Conversions

Week 8: October 1 - Topic 2  Lesson 2: Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Week 9: October 8 - Topic 2  Lesson 3: Renewable Energy Sources

Week 10: October 15 - Topic 2  Lesson 4: Environmental Impacts of Energy use

Week 11: October 22 - Science Lab / Review and Asses

Week 12: October 29 - Topic 3  Lesson 1: Maps and Data

Week 13: November 5 - Topic 3  Lesson 2: Patterns of Earth’s Features

Week 14: November 12 - Topic 3  Lesson 3: Weathering Erosion

Week 15: November 19 - Science Lab / Review and Assess

Week 16: December 3 - Topic 3 assessment 

Week 17: December 10 - Topic 4 Lesson 1: Tectonic Hazards

Week 18: December 17 -  Topic 4 Lesson 2 Pre view vocabulary

Spring Semester:

Week 1:  January 7 - Topic 4 Lesson 2: Weather Hazards

Week 2: January 14 - Topic 4 Lesson 3: Impacts of Natural Hazards 

Week 3: January 21 - Topic 4 wrap up and assessment 

Week 4: January 28 -  Topic 5 Lesson 1: Internal Structures and Functions of Plants

Week 5: February 4 - Topic 5 Lesson 2: External Structures and Functions of Plants

Week 6: February 11 - Topic 5 Lesson 3: Internal Structures and Functions of Animals

Week 7: February 18 - Topic 5 Lesson 4: External Structures and Functions of Animals

Week 8: February 25 - Topic 5 Lesson 5: Plant and Animal Responses to the Environment 

Week 9: March 4 - Topic 5 wrap up and assessment

Week 10: March 11 - Topic 6 Lesson 1: Patterns in Fossils and Rock Formations

Week 11: March 18 - Topic 6 Lesson 2: Evidence of Change from Fossils and Rock Formations

Week 12: Spring Break

Week 13: April 1 - Topic 6 wrap up and assessment 

Week 14: CAASPP Testing

Week 15: April 15 - Science Lab Week

Week 16: April 22- Topic 7 Lesson 1: Properties and Patterns of Waves

Week 17: April 29 - Topic 7 Lesson 2: Waves and Light

Week 18: May 6 - Topic 7 wrap up and assessment

Week 19: May 13-  Science Lab Week