South Carolina State Standards for Science: Grade 4

SC.4-1. Scientific Inquiry: The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry, including the processes, skills, and mathematical thinking necessary to conduct a simple scientific investigation.

4-1.1. Classify observations as either quantitative or qualitative. 14
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-1.1.

4-1.2. Use appropriate instruments and tools (including a compass, an anemometer, mirrors, and a prism) safely and accurately when conducting simple investigations. 11
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-1.2.

4-1.3. Summarize the characteristics of a simple scientific investigation that represent a fair test (including a question that identifies the problem, a prediction that indicates a possible outcome, a process that tests one manipulated variable at a time, and results that are communicated and explained). 10
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-1.3.

4-1.4. Distinguish among observations, predictions, and inferences. 11
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-1.4.

4-1.5. Recognize the correct placement of variables on a line graph. 14
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-1.5.

4-1.6. Construct and interpret diagrams, tables, and graphs made from recorded measurements and observations. 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-1.6.

4-1.7. Use appropriate safety procedures when conducting investigations. 11
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-1.7.

SC.4-2. Organisms and Their Environments: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and patterns of behavior that allow organisms to survive in their own distinct environments. (Life Science)

4-2.1. Classify organisms into major groups (including plants or animals, flowering or nonflowering plants, and vertebrates [fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals] or invertebrates) according to their physical characteristics. 43
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-2.1.

4-2.2. Explain how the characteristics of distinct environments (including swamps, rivers and streams, tropical rain forests, deserts, and the polar regions) influence the variety of organisms in each. 8
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-2.2.

4-2.3. Explain how humans and other animals use their senses and sensory organs to detect signals from the environment and how their behaviors are influenced by these signals. 22
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-2.3.

4-2.4. Distinguish between the characteristics of an organism that are inherited and those that are acquired over time. 3
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-2.4.

4-2.5. Explain how an organism's patterns of behavior are related to its environment (including the kinds and the number of other organisms present, the availability of food and other resources, and the physical characteristics of the environment). 16
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-2.5.

4-2.6. Explain how organisms cause changes in their environment. 38
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-2.6.

SC.4-3. Astronomy: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties, movements, and locations of objects in the solar system. (Earth Science)

4-3.1. Recall that Earth is one of many planets in the solar system that orbit the Sun. 32
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-3.1.

4-3.2. Compare the properties (including the type of surface and atmosphere) and the location of Earth to the Sun, which is a star, and the Moon. 17
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-3.2.

4-3.3. Explain how the Sun affects Earth. 10
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-3.3.

4-3.4. Explain how the tilt of Earth's axis and the revolution around the Sun results in the seasons of the year. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-3.4.

4-3.5. Explain how the rotation of Earth results in day and night. 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-3.5.

4-3.6. Illustrate the phases of the Moon and the Moon's effect on ocean tides. 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-3.6.

4-3.7. Interpret the change in the length of shadows during the day in relation to the position of the Sun in the sky. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-3.7.

4-3.8. Recognize the purpose of telescopes. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-3.8.

SC.4-4. Weather: The student will demonstrate an understanding of weather patterns and phenomena. (Earth Science)

4-4.1. Summarize the processes of the water cycle (including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff). 11
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-4.1.

4-4.2. Classify clouds according to their three basic types (cumulus, cirrus, and stratus) and summarize how clouds form. 1
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-4.2.

4-4.3. Compare daily and seasonal changes in weather conditions (including wind speed and direction, precipitation, and temperature) and patterns. 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-4.3.

4-4.4. Summarize the conditions and effects of severe weather phenomena (including thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes) and related safety concerns. 9
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-4.4.

4-4.5. Carry out the procedures for data collecting and measuring weather conditions (including wind speed and direction, precipitation, and temperature) by using appropriate tools and instruments. 9
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-4.5.

4-4.6. Predict weather from data collected through observation and measurements. 13
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-4.6.

SC.4-5. Properties of Light and Electricity: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties of light and electricity. (Physical Science)

4-5.1. Summarize the basic properties of light (including brightness and colors). 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-5.1.

4-5.2. Illustrate the fact that light, as a form of energy, is made up of many different colors. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-5.2.

4-5.3. Summarize how light travels and explain what happens when it strikes an object (including reflection, refraction, and absorption). 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-5.3.

4-5.4. Compare how light behaves when it strikes transparent, translucent, and opaque materials. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-5.4.

4-5.5. Explain how electricity, as a form of energy, can be transformed into other forms of energy (including light, heat, and sound). 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-5.5.

4-5.6. Summarize the functions of the components of complete circuits (including wire, switch, battery, and light bulb). 3
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-5.6.

4-5.7. Illustrate the path of electric current in series and parallel circuits. 3
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-5.7.

4-5.8. Classify materials as either conductors or insulators of electricity. 5
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-5.8.

4-5.9. Summarize the properties of magnets and electromagnets (including polarity, attraction/repulsion, and strength). 3
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 4-5.9.

4-5.10. Summarize the factors that affect the strength of an electromagnet.