Science - 4th Grade
Lesson Plans

Standard 5

Students will understand the physical characteristics of Utah's wetlands, forests, and deserts and identify common organisms for each environment.

Objective 1

Describe the physical characteristics of Utah's wetlands, forests, and deserts.

• Animals in the Ecosystems
  This lesson is part of a larger research unit, students have their source material and will highlight keywords and phrases using the graphic organizer from Step Up to Writing and build a paragraph on animal contributions to their environment.
• I Spy Environments
  This activity is an opportunity for students to us their knowledge of environments in an activity that will also allow them to explore fine art paintings from the Springville Art Museum. In small groups, students will investigate a variety of paintings of places in Utah in different seasons and different environments using different mediums. They will then decide on physical characteristics of these using a graphic organizer.
• Introduction to Habitat Alteration
  Students will be introduced to the concepts of habitat and habitat change through lecturing and guided inquiry. Students will engage in an open discussion of habitat change, view time-lapse footage of change, and identify /evaluate images of natural and human caused habitat alteration. Attention will be focused on identifying indicators and causes of habitat alteration.
• TRB 4:5 - Investigation 1 - Wetlands, Forests & Deserts
  Students will learn about surface terrain and how plants and animals are affected by the temperatures and precipitation that elevation and terrain creates. Then the students will predict what type of environment plants and animals live in.
• TRB 4:5 - Investigation 2 - Elevation, Plants & Animals
  This activity will help students understand that elevation is one of the things that affect where and how plants and animals live.
• Wonderful Wetlands
  Creating a model of Utah wetlands allows students to observe this unique environment that has important value to plants and animals.

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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.

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