Grade 04 Science - EC: S4.D.1.1.3
Grade 04 Science - EC: S4.D.1.1.3
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
Related Academic Standards / Eligible Content
Activities
- What is humus? Why is it important?
- Define a decomposer.
- Put these soil particles in order from the smallest to the largest: sand, silt, gravel, clay
- What is held in the empty spaces between soil particles?
- Explain the relationship between decomposers and humus?
- 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
- Humus is decomposed plants and animals in soil. It is important because it holds nutrients and water for plants.
- Decomposers break down plants and animals in the soil.
- Clay, silt, sand, gravel
- Air and water
- 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.
- 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.
