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Bring Science Alive! Exploring Science Practices Grade 4
Bring Science Alive!

Exploring Science Practices Grade 4

Fourth graders dig into energy, waves, and ecosystems, uncovering how matter and energy flow through living and physical systems—and applying what they learn to real engineering design problems.

What Students Will Explore

Unit 1

Plant and Animal Structures

A comic book artist wants to come up with new creatures for his latest work. Study the structures of plants and animals to give him ideas for how these creatures can survive.

Unit 2

Energy

Energy is all around us! Sometimes we use it to help us, and sometimes it can cause us harm. Learn how energy transfers from one place to another by making a safety pamphlet about bike helmets. Then create a device that uses energy to keep you safe when riding a bike.

Unit 3

Earth's Changing Surface

As a geological assistant, you will examine how places like the Appalachian Mountains have changed over time.

Unit 4

Waves and Information

Find out about waves and different ways information can be transferred to create a new communication method.

Explore the Program

How Does Water Change Earth's Surface?

Three children water soil in a tray during a classroom activity, closely observing the process together. LESSON

In this lesson, students plan and carry out an investigation using stream tables to simulate water flow and erosion.

Experience the Lesson
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Student Materials

  • Waves crash against rocky cliffs under the title Earths Changing Surface on a science journal cover.

    Student Journal

    The colorful, easy-to-use, print consumable Science Journals combine standards-based content and rich activities that challenge students to ask questions, investigate phenomena, and demonstrate their learning. Also available in Spanish.

Teacher Materials

  • A large ocean wave next to the cover title Bring Science Alive! Exploring Science Practices Grade 4 Teachers Guide..

    Teacher's Guide

    Teacher's Guide supports everything from lesson planning to grading—step-by-step procedures, time estimates, differentiation strategies, and answer keys, ready to use offline or as a quick reference while teaching. Also available in Spanish.

  • Olive green cover of Picture Cards book; includes words Photographs and Primary Sources in fading text.

    Picture Cards

    The Picture Cards are reusable handouts for investigations that engage students in analyzing powerful images, maps, and graphs. Also available in Spanish.

  • Clear plastic storage box with purple handles, labeled Bring Science Alive! on the side, contains classroom materials.

    Materials Kit

    Bring Science Alive! comes with ready-to-use Materials Kits that support in-class investigations. Kits are thoughtfully organized for ease of use and to reduce waste. If you run low on consumable materials, order a refill kit from TCI's online store.

Reviews & Recognition

At TCI, we don't just say our programs work — we invite independent reviewers to put them to the test. Our social studies and science programs are reviewed by respected third-party organizations that analyze our resources for quality, effectiveness, and alignment with standards.

In addition to national recognition, our programs are reviewed and approved by individual states to ensure they meet specific requirements and standards. We also participate in landscape analyses that compare our offerings with those of other leading programs, so educators and districts can make informed choices.

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