In this lesson, students will know the appearance of the moon changes in a specific pattern and repeat this sequence over the course of approximately 28 days. In addition, discuss that Earth’s rotation causes one side of planet Earth to receive light rays from the sun. Earth to receive light rays from the sun. This phenomenon is called day. (Understand, Key Concept 2). Discuss that Earth’s rotation causes one side of planet Earth not to receive light rays from the sun. This phenomenon causes darkness which is called night. Lesson integrates computer science using Bee-Bots

This parent guide supports parents in helping their child at home with the 4th grade Science content.

This resource accompanies our Rethink 4th Grade Science course. It includes ideas for use, ways to support exceptional children, ways to extend learning, digital resources and tools, tips for supporting English Language Learners and students with visual and hearing impairments. There are also ideas for offline learning. 

Students will apply math concepts related to measuring angles to diagram the Earth’s rotation throughout a 24-hour period. This task allows for multiple entry points in that students can either use their knowledge of angle measures (e.g., the Earth would rotate 180° by noon) or knowledge of fractions (e.g., 1/2 of a complete rotation would occur by noon) to begin grappling with the task. By creating diagrams, students will also develop an understanding of using tools to measure angles, as well as apply the concept that angle measures are additive (e.g., I figured out that the Earth rotates 15° each hour. Therefore, I realize that the earth rotates 45° in three hours). This lesson was developed by NCDPI as part of the Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted Instructional Resources Project. This lesson plan has been vetted at the state level for standards alignment, AIG focus, and content accuracy.

In this lesson, students will compare and contrast day and night of their place on earth, to another location. Students will conduct a short research project that builds knowledge through investigation of different aspects of day and night in other locations on earth with a focus on Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Alaska. This lesson was developed by Lisa Hiatt as part of their completion of the North Carolina Global Educator Digital Badge program. This lesson plan has been vetted at the local and state level for standards alignment, Global Education focus, and content accuracy.            

In this lesson, students will reflect on prior knowledge about the causes of day and night using a Know, Want to Know, Learned (KWL) chart. Students will also engage in watching a video explaining day to night to identify the difference of day and night and why they happen. This lesson was developed by Lisa Hiatt as part of their completion of the North Carolina Global Educator Digital Badge program. This lesson plan has been vetted at the local and state level for standards alignment, Global Education focus, and content accuracy.            

In this lesson, students will review what they know about how day and night happen through a demonstration by the teacher. Students will act out the process of day and night while the Earth is tilted and rotating on its axis by having the sun shine on one side of the earth. This lesson was developed by Lisa Hiatt as part of their completion of the North Carolina Global Educator Digital Badge program. This lesson plan has been vetted at the local and state level for standards alignment, Global Education focus, and content accuracy.            

This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 4th Grade Science. 

This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 4th Grade Science.

Students will learn about the position of the sun and moon in the sky to develop an understanding of relative distances, the appearance of movement across the sky, and relate it to day and night, Earth's orbit, the spin of the Earth, and the visible shape of the moon.

In this introductory lesson, students will learn the basics of the aurora through small group discussions, reflection and reading. The lesson includes teacher notes and instructions, student workshops and an online, animated story, and related teacher resources on aurora. This is lesson one of a collection of five activities that can be used individually or as a sequence; concludes with a KWL (Know/Want-to-know/Learned) assessment activity.