SEEd - Grade 4
Lesson Plans

Strand 4.1: ORGANISMS FUNCTIONING IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT

Through the study of organisms, inferences can be made about environments both past and present. Plants and animals have both internal and external structures that serve various functions for growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction. Animals use different sense receptors specialized for particular kinds of information to understand and respond to their environment. Some kinds of plants and animals that once lived on Earth can no longer be found. However, fossils from these organisms provide evidence about the types of organisms that lived long ago and the nature of their environments. Additionally, the presence and location of certain fossil types indicate changes that have occurred in environments over time.

Standard 4.1.1

Construct an explanation from evidence that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. Emphasize how structures support an organism's survival in its environment and how internal and external structures of plants and animals vary within the same and across multiple Utah environments. Examples of structures could include thorns on a stem to prevent predation or gills on a fish to allow it to breathe underwater. (LS1.A)

• 4.1.1 Animal Structure & Function
  This is a fourth-grade student science project tied to SEEd standard 4.1.1 In this project students demonstrate the understand of how the structure of an animal or plant supports their function.This project is designed to support students in engaging in science investigations by combining their personal life with a school project. Students will use the photo they took to create an Adobe Spark Video and label the structure and function of the animal or plant. Students will share the Adobe Spark video link in the Canvas to share with the class 
• Air Plants - No Soil Needed - 4-LS1-1
  Science Phenomena: 4th grade - Life: Structures and Senses
• Animal Mouth Structures
  A lesson on mouth structures of animals and what they eat (PBS)
• CKSci Unit 3: Structures and Functions of Living Things
  A set of lessons that covers UT.SEEd.4.1.1 and UT.SEEd.4.1.2 (Core Knowledge)
• Coyote Steals Fire
  Learn about the history and culture of the Northwestern Shoshone people. Paint a watercolor landscape of an environment with Utah wildlife.
  This lesson is written in partnership with and approved by the Northwestern Shoshone cultural specialist Patty Timbimboo-Madsen. Northwestern Band of Shoshone SealBefore teaching this lesson, please explain to your students that there are many native tribes in the United States and that this lesson specifically focuses on the northwestern band of the Shoshone Nation and does not represent other Native American groups. We hope that other native tribes will respect the northwestern band of the Shoshone Nation's choice to share this aspect of their culture.
• Design an Animal
  This lesson plan is a cumulative activity for SEED 4.1.1Construct an explanation from evidence that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.Students create and write about a unique creature with a focus on structures leading to its survival. Cover Image: Personal photo taken by lesson plan creator 
• How Badger, Skunk and Sage Hen Were Marked
  According to Paiute legend, the hawk and the coyote were not always animals as we see them now. Long ago, they were people, like you and me. The hawk was known as Kuhsawv, and the coyote was known as Soonungwuv. Coyote tales are part of the Paiute oral tradition used to teach proper behavio, natural phenomenon and values from an early age. These stories are only told during the winter time. The Coyote illustrates the mischievous nature in all of us. Students will listen to a Paiute tale and learn about folktales. They will also be introduced to the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, the location and how tribal members are working to preserve their language and culture. Students will also learn about how external structures and adaptations of animals help them to survive in their environment through a group activity. 
• Inflation of Moth Coremata - 4-LS1-1, 4-LS1-2
  Science Phenomena: 4th grade - Life: Structures and Senses
• Mysterious Glowing Ball - 4-LS1-2, 4-PS4-2
  Science Phenomena: 4th grade - Life: Structures and Senses
• Polar Bears are Actually Black - 4-LS1-1
  Science Phenomena: 4th grade - Life: Structures and Senses
• The Shadow Illusion - 4-PS4-2
  Science Phenomena: 4th grade - Life: Structures and Senses
• Tree Cookie Combat
  This activity helps students understand what trees need to live and grow in the environment. They will also realize that trees sometimes interact or compete with other organisms as well as each other.
• UT.SEEd.4.4.1 E.1
  Student facing Nearpod lessons for the SEEdStoryLines. A free K-6 science curriculum written by teachers and based on both the 5E and GRC models. It is a student-centered curriculum that uses a storyline format to promote wonder, sensemaking, and problem solving. It includes both face-to-face and remote materials.
• UT.SEEd.4.4.1 E.4
  Student facing Nearpod lessons for the SEEdStoryLines. A free K-6 science curriculum written by teachers and based on both the 5E and GRC models. It is a student-centered curriculum that uses a storyline format to promote wonder, sensemaking, and problem solving. It includes both face-to-face and remote materials.
• UT.SEEd.4.4.1E.5
  Student facing Nearpod lessons for the SEEdStoryLines. A free K-6 science curriculum written by teachers and based on both the 5E and GRC models. It is a student-centered curriculum that uses a storyline format to promote wonder, sensemaking, and problem solving. It includes both face-to-face and remote materials.
• Utah Animal Adaptations
  This lesson will go over a few Utah animals as students focus on behaviors and adaptations of each animal.  This lesson will take 45 minutes.  It can be done face-to-face or virtual and is successful synchronously or asynchronously.  The lesson is authored by Emily Bond. photo:  Coyote [Photograph]. (2014). Gale Elementary Online Collection. Gale, part of Cengage Group. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/SRHOBW244439607/ITKE?u=onlinelibrary&sid=bookmark-ITKE&xid=2863ca38
• What Does a Soccer (Football) Player See? - 4-LS1-2, 4-PS4-2
  Science Phenomena: 4th grade - Life: Structures and Senses
• xLabs Eye Gaze Tracking Software - 4-LS1-2, 4-PS4-2
  Science Phenomena: 4th grade - Life: Structures and Senses

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Jennifer  Throndsen and see the Science - Elementary website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.