Sorting by NYSLS MST & Grade Level 4
 

Title
Synopsis
  Matter and Energy This is a unit developed for fourth grade students. This unit will take approximately 6 - 8 weeks. I meet with the children three days out of a six - day cycle for 45 minutes each day. In order to complete this unit at least 1 set of materials per group of 4 - 5 students is needed.
  Student-made Web Pages...Show Off Their Work! Designed to teach students how to create a web page using Netscape Communicator's Composer and can be used by students in grades 3-12 to present their projects or research on their school's web page. Designed to be taught in a lab setting and will be used by the technology teacher in coordination with the classroom teacher.
  PASS THE SALT This learning experience challenges students to assume the role of a scientist who has received a grant to study the impact of road salt on Adirondack flora, fauna, and associated watersheds. Students are introduced to bioassays as a quantitative strategy for assessing environmental impact, and are challenged to use this technique in experiments that they design
  Amazon Rainforest Essential Questions: What defines a rainforest? What are the layers of the rainforest and how are they unique? Why are the rainforests important?
  Endangered Animals Bookmarks By developing bookmarks students will be integrating their scientific knowledge with writing skills to present information to the public on endangered animals. The students will need to have background information on a specific endangered animal and working knowledge of a publishing program such as "Print Shop".
  Life on the Edge Essential Questions: Why do animals become endangered? What can be done to help endangered animals not become extinct? What impact is there on the world when animals become extinct?
  Links in a Food Chain This learning experience was created to give students a better understanding of the world we live in while utilizing the many grade appropriate resources on the world wide web. They are given the opportunity to learn and better understand the relationships that exist between all life forms. The students will complete a webquest to broaden their understanding of the new concepts they are attaining in a motivational, cooperative environment.
  The World Wide Food Web This unit was created to give students a better understanding of the world we live in. They are given the opportunity to learn and better understand the relationships that exist between all life forms.
  Understanding the Layers of the Earth To enhance understanding of the three major layers of the earth, students will compare and contrast the three layers describing the composition, thickness, and temperature of each layer.
  Forces in the Earth Students will observe the effects of an earthquake as it occurs. They will study the structure of the earth as it relates to the theory of plate tectonics, survey events as mountain building, volcanoes, earthquakes, and sea-floor spreading at various plate boundaries and identify areas where volcanic activity is likely to occur.
  Owl Scavenger Hunt Students will get practice using internet technology for a specific purpose (scavenger hunt)
  The War With Grandpa This learning unit is based upon the book The War With Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith. It will be used in an after school program of third, fourth, and fifth grade students. The novel will be read orally to the students as a group with the unit to follow. This unit is designed to give the students practice in using a digital camera and computer technology for the specific purpose of sequencing. Other related activities will accompany the technology.
  Journey This learning unit is based upon the book Journey by Patricia MacLachlan. It will be used in an after school program of third, fourth, and fifth grade students. The novel will be read orally to the students as a group with the unit to follow. This unit is designed to give the students enrichment activities that focus on the book and related concepts.
  Data Analysis Essential Question/Data Analysis: What is data and how does it help you to understand information? How are tables and graphs related? How does business use mathematics to produce products and collect information? How can data be shown in different ways? How can we show in writing understanding of data?
  Graphing What is the purpose and/or objective of graphing? In what ways do we construct clear and accurate graphs to depict information in our lives? In what ways do we use graphs to depict information and/or solve problems in our lives?
  Clouds Meteorology and literature will be combined to explain cloud types and their effects on weather.
  How to DO Just About Anything This unit will incorporate technology and ELA in various subject areas on writing "How To's", and then presenting the finished product. The lesson will be first done with a small group of Consultant Students, who will then become group leaders to the full classroom.
  Land Ho This unit introduces the students to standard and non-standard measurement with a pirate theme. At the culmination of the unit students will understand the difference between standard and non-standard measurement. They will be able to estimate measurements and measure using standard and non-standard measurement tools.
  Food Pyramid The lesson was developed for the learning standards because of the need to integrate as many curricula areas as possible for both academic and motivational rigor. I learned a great deal in preparing this unit.
  Healthy Eating Students will evaluate their own diets and electronically log their daily entries. During daily lessons students will learn about the food pyramid and different types of diets and how they relate to long term health. Students will research various diets and report out both verbally and in writing. Power Point will be used as a way for students to demonstrate their knowledge of what constitutes a proper diet.
  Around the World on the World Wide Web Describe the different characteristics of culture in another country. Describe the cultural similarities and differences between your assigned country and us. What is the purpose of folktales and myths in a culture? Describe the impact a geographical feature or a historical event has had on your country.
  Wacky wheels and Marvelous Machines Simple Machines: How do simple machines make-work easier? What effects do simple machines have on everyday life? How do forces affect work? How could you construct and use a compound machine to make a simple task easier?
  Colorful Writing This Learning Experience will take about 3 weeks to complete. The students will be learning the different types of figurative language so that they can use them in their writing to make it more interesting and descriptive. The students will then be using what they have learned about figurative language to describe their family's characeristics in a slide show presentation.
  Cinderella Really Gets Around! Create meaningful lessons for Upper Elementary students that integrate Language Arts lessons with lessons in world geography and culture. Some of the 3000 + variants of the Cinderella stories that exist from around the world provide an interesting way to teach language arts skills, as well as world geography and culture. Activities will be interactive and student centered where the students will have opportunities to apply their knowledge in a variety of interdisciplinary tasks that are appealing and definitive.
  Way To GO With Graphic Organizers Way To "GO" With Graphic Organizers is a unit designed to introduce Grade 3 students to the use of graphic organizers as an aid to independent writing tasks. This unit for writing instruction utilizes basic skills of organization and note taking. Attention will focus on setting up graphic organizers and providing opportunities to practice reflective writing. Models will be set up for narrative and letter writing to meet the requirements of the NYS Standards and the Grade 4 ELA. Students will be exposed to making appropriate graphic organizer selections to meet the needs of the assigned purpose of the writing assignment. Adjustments to this unit can be made for other grade levels by altering the reading selections at the appropriate reading level of the students. As a wide variety of graphic organizers are available, you should implement them to meet the needs of the particular writing assignment and modify them based on the individual needs of the students.
  Under the Canopy This rainforest unit is an integrated summer reading program designed to reinforce language arts skills with an emphasis on reading and writing. The summer program is designed to help students at risk meet the N.Y. State standards. This unit is literature based and spans a period of four weeks incorporating reading, writing, and technology skills for students who have just completed grades one through five. It will also expose the students to the geographical and scientific significance of a rainforest habitat. This theme based approach to learning a broad topic allows students functioning at a wide variety of levels to work together cooperatively, learn from each other, and have fun together. At risk readers take on the role of the "mentor" or "teacher" when paired with younger students and they are then able to build their self-esteem . These students are rarely able to be the experts with their peer group so this becomes a very positive experience for all the children. In addition, the younger students love the attention from their older classmates. All aspects of the summer program center around the rainforest theme including reading, writing, listening, and speaking projects, art activities, guest readers, and even snacks are woven into the theme. "Under the Canopy" is sure to be a swinging good time for all!
  Surprise in a Suitcase The purpose of this learning experience is for students to develop a habitat for an animal from Australia. The student will select an animal, and then because many of these animals are unfamiliar to him/her, the student will have to research carefully to make the proper habitat for his/her new pet. The habitat may be in the form of a diorama or other alternative such as a poster, mobile or a pamphlet.
  Polygon Search What is geometry? How does geometry affect our everyday life? How are geometric figures classified in our world? What are the characteristics of a geometric figure? "Children who develop a strong sense of spatial relationships and who master the concepts of language and geometry are better prepared to learn number and measurement ideas, as well as other advanced mathematical topics." (NCTM 1989a, P.48)
  The War With Grandpa: Solutions to Family Problem This unit is based on the book The War With Grandpa by Robert Kimmell Smith. The activities correlate closely with the New York State ELA 4th grade test and the standards.
  Info Access in the Library for Electronic Resource Library Reference, Research: Information technology is used to retrieve, process, and communicate information and as a tool to enhance learning.
  Revolutionary War Fourth grade social studies unit on the American Revolution, and to New York's role in the war (approximately 4-5 weeks to complete). Students will summarize the political and economic causes leading to the Revolution, will identify leaders and groups of people involved during that time period, will also summarize key battles, with a focus on New York State battles. Effects of the war will identified. Students will incorporate a variety of technological skills and programs in this unit.
  The Lemonade Stand Students will complete The Lemonade Stand worksheet in the classroom which introduces them to the interactive game:The Lemonade Stand. Different vocabulary terms, such as producer, operating expenses, and profit will be explained. Two different charts will also be displayed and explained. The students will have to make some decisions and answer some questions using the Weather Forecast and Financial Information Chart and A Daily Report Chart.
  Be a Structural Engineer! Introduce elementary students to some processes involved in designing and building things (focus on structural strength) done through a series of projects. Emphasis is on Learning Standard 5 (tech.), has strong ties to MST Standard 1 (Analysis, Inquiry, and Design), and Standard 7 (Interdisciplinary Problem Solving). General approach to student learning is one of discovery, followed by presentation/clarification of basic concepts. Evaluation takes place throughout the unit by teacher observation of students as they work both alone and in-groups. Formal assessment is tied to the rubrics, which evaluate design, process, and testing of the students' final truss-building projects.
  Summaries/Graphing Students collect data based on favorite ice cream flavors. The teacher will present students with the question, "How can we organize and present this data to the principal in order to persuade him or her to allow the class to have an ice cream party with our top two flavors?" We will then discuss the types of graphs that can be used to display this data.
  New York, New York Essential Questions: How do we use math skills to solve problems on a vacation including mileage, gas amounts, travel time, and tax and tip for meals? How do we use map-reading skills to plan a trip? How could we use the Internet to help plan a weekend trip somewhere in New York State? How would you decide what places to visit on a time limited trip? How would keeping a travel log, a travel journal, and a photo album help us document a trip?
  Presto! Poetry This four-week unit incorporates web page design into a unique poetry unit. Students will be exposed to twenty different types of poems, required to create a poetry anthology and participate in a poetry reading. Students will learn about alliteration, simile and metaphor, personification and descriptive language.
  A Walk in the Woods Students will be engaged in an interdisciplinary learning unit by walking in the moccasins of the Haudenosaunee to learn how they lived and how they made a difference and the impact on our world.
  The Write Byte The Write Byte is part of a writing workshop unit, which is an in-depth plan that teaches students the writing process. The purpose of the Write Byte is to get students excited about writing, learn about authors they have read, and become familiar with the writing process.
  Melting Pot Discoving the history on our community using senior citizens as resources.
  Charged Up About Magnetism and Electricity Essential Questions: Why is magnetism important to us? Why is electricity important to us? How does an electromagnet work? What impact does an electromagnet have on our lives?
  Viewpoint of the Native American Interview a member of a Native American tribe or watch a video depicting the treatment of Native Americans from long ago today. (If conducting an interview it is a good idea to videotape it with permission from your guest for future use) If the students interview a guest make sure to help guide the students to devise questions that focus on the issue of how the Native American person is treated now as compared to how they were treated long ago
  100 Years and Counting This unit is primarily based on the book ...If You Lived: 100 Years Ago, by Ann McGovern. The book is a wonderful resource and full of information that is written in children's language. It covers all of the information that will be studied such as schooling, clothing, jobs, transportation and conveniences (or inventions) from the time period extending from the late 1800's to the early 1900's. The book explains what it was like primarily in New York City, which fits in nicely with the fourth grade curriculum, but also can tie in nicely with the third grade curriculum as it covers many different communities from around the world.
  Animal Interviews The purpose of the Experience is to learn about animal behavior and adaption by taking the perspective of the animal.
  Animal Adaptations This unit focuses on the basic needs of animals and the adaptations they have to meet those needs.
  Over the Rainbow Essential Questions: What are the characteristics of light? How are rainbows formed? Why can we see colors?
  Let Go of My legos! Essential Questions: How do simple machines effect our lives? How have people used simple machines? How does gravity influence the way we live?
  Estimation Station Given the subject of estimation, students will: describe everyday situations where only mathematical estimation is required, describe the meanings and use of several estimation skills and strategies, and use estimation to find the amount of paint needed to cover a room.
  Animal Mix-up Research; The Revolutionary War* This lesson was developed in the bird club at our school, The Sauquoit Wingers. It was easy to see how this lesson could be incorporated into the fourth grade curriculum during the study of vertebrates.
  Winging It! Essential Questions: While a bird's egg is incubated, will the weight of the egg increase, decrease, or stay the same? What is a bird? How does a birds body determine its: habitat, diet, behavior, etc. How do the parenting responsibilities of a bird compare with those of a human?
  Don't Step on the Coral Reefs Create a step-book using data collected about coral reefs in prior lessons.
  Wearing Tuxedos in the Land of Brrrrrrrrr! What do living things need to survive in Antarctica? What characteristics do living things have that enable them to adapt to life in Antarctica? How are plants, animals, and people interdependent? How do the animals of Antarctica compare/contrast with the animals of your environment?
  Out of the Deep Students will create a mural of the environment of coral reefs.
  To Infinity and Beyond: A Unit on Space Essential Questions: What is the relationship between the universe, galaxies and solar systems? What might life be like on the other planets of our solar system? How might our lives change if the earth's rotation, revolution, or position in the solar system changed? Why do we study space?
  Heroes of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Heroes are not born; they are people who are shaped by experiences in their lives. This unit will provide students with an opportunity to reflect on what makes a hero. It will also provide students with an opportunity to research heroes of yesterday and today, as well as encourage them to think about heroes for tomorrow.
  Island Investigation Mini research project for intermediate students to learn about one of the larger islands near the community of Clayton called Grindstone Island. Students learn how an island affects the life of people living there. They will also learn that lifestyles on Grindstone Island have changed over time (completed in two 3-4 multi-age classes at Guardino Elem. School-two month long unit designed to totally immerse children in reading, writing, speaking and listening, culminating in a final project. Lessons took about one and one-half hours per day. Daily scheduled reading and writing workshop times were used for this project. Activities related to NYS Standards in Language Arts, Social Studies, and Technology.
  Traveling Along Clinton's Ditch The Social Studies Unit, Traveling Along Clinton's Ditch will help fourth grade students foucs on one of the major waterways of New York State, the Erie Canal.
  Making Healthy Nutritional Choices Why is a study of nutrition essential to a healthy life? How do nutrients help the body? How will the Internet be helpful in this search?
  A Weather Related Challenge "Where in the World is Cynthia San Francisco" is an Internet based collaborative project sponsored by the New Jersey Networking Infrastructure in Education (NJNIE) project which is located at Stevens Institute of Technology, Center for Improved Education and Science Education, Hoboken, New Jersey. We wish to give full credit to NJNIE, without whom, this unit would not have been possible.
  Meant to Invent: Famous American Inventors Using the Internet, students will research a famous American inventor. They will complete activities to display at a Famous American Inventor Hall of Fame.
  Welcome to New York State Students will create a NYState travel brochure of their own, choosing one of the regions of New York. They will highlight the following: name of geographic region accessibility to the region noteworthy geographic features historical / current places of interest economic highlights
  Ya'Gotta Have Heart Students will understand the function of the different parts of the human circulatory system.
  Come Fly With Me...Aviation Throughout this unit of study, students will be immersed in a study of the history of aviation, some of the pioneers of aviation, and aviation terms. Through a variety of activities and experiences, students will have a better understanding of all aspects of flight. As a culminating activity, students will have the opportunity to display their knowledge in an A-Z alliteration poem and participate in a paper airplane-flying contest. This unit will serve to develop student’s ability to conduct online research, use the key parts of a book (glossary, table of contents, index) to find specific information, and to follow written and oral directions.
  Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster Fun With Word Students are immersed in a vocabulary study of ten words featured in the book Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster and of the Word of the Day featured on the Internet. Through activities and experiences, students will have a better understanding of a plethora of words in the English language and an enhanced vocabulary. Culminating activity, students have the opportunity to portray a vocabulary word by participating in a vocabulary parade for parents and friends. Will serve to develop student vocabularies, foster a greater awareness of words-the basis of our society! Activities can be extended and used year round
  International Festival We have activities that relate to math, arts and writing. The learning experience has different activities incorporated into one, therefore all learners should be able to find some aspect that appeals to them. The students will be engaged in activities that relate to the learning standards as stated above.
  Rain Forest Animal Habitat Museum A rainforest project that requires students to have a thorough understanding of one specific rain forest animal and its needs.
  Smooth Sailing This 3-4 week science unit explores the topic of buoyancy in a hands-on fashion. Concepts such as sink/float, density, displacement, volume, carrying capacity, along with buoyancy are covered. The students will be actively involved in this process of science discovery. Experimentation, design, and testing are integral parts of this unit.
  Plugging Into PowerPoint Introduction to teaching PowerPoint to elementary students. Students will learn the components of the software so they may use the program to demonstrate learning and for classroom instruction.
  Soaring through the Solar System The students will be engaged in their learning about our solar system through individual and group activities that focus on research, reading, writing and group work skills. Students will soar through this interdisciplinary unit.
  New York Explorers Essential Questions: What was the underlying causes and effects of the early exploration of NYS. How do students apply reading, writing, listening and speaking for critical analysis and evaluation of unfamiliar, informational and/or historic fictional text? How do students use the opinions and reactions of teachers, classmates and peers to evaluate personal interpretations of ideas, information and experience?
  Cybernetiquette This learning experience will teach students the basics of safety on the Internet. This learning experience will be a perfect beginning to any Internet activity whether it is within a technology curriculum or other content area. This connects to all areas where instruction will lead to exploration of the Internet. This Learning Experience is tied to the unit called Keypals: Communicating Across the Information Superhighway
  Calendars Have students learn the calendar and how technology can enhance a calendar's use in daily life.
  My Personal Stock Portfolio The student will read and write for information and understanding (Language Arts #1) students will access, generate, and transfer information using appropriate technology. (Math, Science, & Technology #2) The students will understand mathematics and become mathematically confident by communicating and reasoning mathematically, by applying mathematics in a real world settings, and by solving problems through integrated study of number systems and data analysis. (Math, Science, & Technology #3)





Content Copyright MADISON ONEIDA BOCES 1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003