Fourth Grade Science Enrichment

Animal Adaptations

SOL Correlations

2010 Standard 4.5

Crosswalk 3.4

Activity Resources

Kit - Mecklenburg 4-H has an animal adaptations kit available for check out. The kit includes: a deer skull, antlers, Eastern Box Turtle shell, several owl pellets, bones and fur from dissected owl pellet, snake skins, two desiccated skinks, baby black snake preserved in alcohol, baby copperhead preserved in alcohol, various laminated pictures of animals - many focus on camouflage)

Video - Owl Adaptations (recorded for Virtual 4-H Camp)

Adaptations of Virginia Wildlife Presentation (correlated to kit)

Adaptations of Virginia Wildlife - Correlated to Kit

Snakes in My Backyard

Camouflage Photos

Processing (Content, 5 C's, Life Skill Development)

Animal Adaptations Small Group Activity

Weather Instruments

SOL Correlations

2010 Standard 4.6

Crosswalk 4.4

Activity Resources

Kit - Mecklenburg 4-H has a kit available that includes: a barometer, thermometers, an anemometer, rain gauge, and hygrometer. There is also a limited number of supplies available for making classroom barometers and the weather tools design challenge. Please let us know which activities you would like to use and we can customize your kit.

Kahoot! Weather Instruments Quiz

Weather Instrument Activities - several versions including making a barometer (2 versions), using a storm glass, and a weather instrument design challenge

Additional Resource from South Carolina 4-H - Crush a Can activity to illustrate atmospheric pressure

Processing (Content, 5 C's, Life Skill Development)

Activities include opportunities for students to work together to build weather instruments (communication and collaboration). The design challenge activity asks students to work together using various materials to construct a weather instrument and present it to the class (creative thinking, collaboration, critical thinking, communication).

Virginia's Natural Resources - Soil

SOL Correlations

2010 Standard 4.9

Crosswalk 3.6

Activity Resources

Kit - Mecklenburg 4-H has a kit containing all the materials needed for a classroom "recipe for soil" outlined in the activity below.

Soil Lesson Plan

Soil lesson outline (includes JMG Hamburger Plant activity)and recipe card handout

Processing (Content, 5 C's, Life Skill Development)

To complete the Hamburger Plant and Recipe for Soil activities, students use critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. There is also a citizenship component as students discuss the importance of soil and protecting Virginia's natural resources.

Virginia's Natural Resources - Watershed Model

SOL Correlations

2010 Standard 4.9

Crosswalk 4.8

Activity Resources

Mecklenburg 4-H has a large Enviroscape watershed model and all associated materials.

Enviroscape Cheat Sheet

Video Demonstration

Additional Resource from South Carolina 4-H - Make Your Own Watershed Model

Processing (Content, 5 C's, Life Skill Development)

Students use critical thinking skills to determine how best management practices affect water quality. Use of the watershed model also incorporates citizenship as students discuss ways to protect our water resources.