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Grade 04 Science - EC: S4.D.1.1.3

Grade 04 Science - EC: S4.D.1.1.3

Continuum of Activities

Continuum of Activities

The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.

This continuum of activities offers:

  • Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
  • Questions/activities that grow in complexity
  • Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance

Activities

  1. What is humus?  Why is it important?

  2. Define a decomposer.

  3. Put these soil particles in order from the smallest to the largest:  sand, silt, gravel, clay

  4. What is held in the empty spaces between soil particles?
  1. Explain the relationship between decomposers and humus?
  1. Your friend planted a flower seed in gravel.  She was sad when the flower did not take root and grow.  Write a letter to her explaining why her flower did not grow and suggest what she can do differently the next time she plants a flower seed.

Answer Key/Rubric

  1. Humus is decomposed plants and animals in soil.  It is important because it holds nutrients and water for plants.

  2. Decomposers break down plants and animals in the soil.

  3. Clay, silt, sand, gravel

  4. Air and water

  5. Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
    • Decomposers break down dead plants and animals
    • Humus are plants or animals that have died and decomposed or are still decomposing.
    • Decomposers help to add nutrients to the soil.
    • Humus is the result of the decomposition process
    • The more animal or plant remains in the soil, the more nutrients the soil has.
    • Plants grow better in soil that has humus.
  1. Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
    • Gravel does not provide enough structural support for a plant to grow.
    • Gravel will not hold water for the plant to use.
    • Gravel does not have any nutrients that will help the plant grow.
    • Plants should be put in soil. 
    • Fertilizers can be bought at a store to help the seeds grow stronger.
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