Fourth grade

Our purpose is to create an intentional learning experience. To ensure that each student in every grade experiences educational enrichment that corresponds to their classroom learning we have created videos, downloadable handouts, quizzes, and more that corresponds to classroom learning.

Fourth grade Science Content Standards

Grade 4 students’ view of the natural world includes many scientifically accurate components. They recognize the role of evidence in scientific thinking and are beginning to include evidence in their scientific explanations. Fourth graders enjoy an active learning environment with opportunities to manipulate physical materials and construct models.

“Compile information to describe how the use of energy derived from natural renewable and nonrenewable resources affects the environment (e.g., constructing dams to harness energy from water, a renewable resource, while causing a loss of animal habitats; burning of fossil fuels, a nonrenewable resource, while causing an increase in air pollution; installing solar panels to harness energy from the sun, a renewable resource, while requiring specialized materials that necessitate mining).”

Supporting Curriculum

Renewable energy is an essential part of taking care of our world. Do you know the difference between nonrenewable resources and renewable? Renewable resources are a substance of economic value that can be replaced or replenished in the same or less amount of time as it takes to draw the supply down. A nonrenewable resource is a resource of economic value that cannot be readily replaced by natural means on a level equal to its consumption. Most fossil fuels, such as oil, natural gas and coal are considered nonrenewable resources in that their use is not sustainable because their formation takes billions of years.We have our own special renewable resource here at Majestic Caverns, a waterwheel powered rock-saw! In fact, this is the only waterwheel powered rock-saw in the world! At Majestic Caverns, we used to cut onyx for our guests from some of the formations that were moved in the process of creating our tunnel into the caverns. We have since stopped cutting onyx, simply because we did not want to damage any of the natural formations in the caverns.

“Construct explanations by citing evidence found in patterns of rock formations and fossils in rock layers that Earth changes over time through both slow and rapid processes (e.g., rock layers containing shell fossils appearing above rock layers containing plant fossils and no shells indicating a change from land to water over time, a canyon with different rock layers in the walls and a river in the bottom indicating that over time a river cut through the rock).”

Supporting Curriculum

Formations within rock layers tell us a lot about the history of the world we live in! For instance, many Caves across the world have found shark teeth inside of them even when the Cave is located far away from the ocean. One explanation of this, is that they once were covered by ocean water! Finding many fossils similar to shark teeth can help us understand a history in this area very different from our present day!

“Relate reasons for European exploration and settlement in Alabama to the impact of European explorers on trade, health, and land expansion in Alabama.

• Locating on maps European settlements in early Alabama, including Fort Condé, Fort Toulouse, and Fort Mims

• Tracing on maps and globes, the routes of early explorers of the New World, including Juan Ponce de León, Hernando de Soto, and Vasco Núñez de Balboa”

Supporting Curriculum

Let’s talk about some of the European exploration and settlement in our state!

“Explain Alabama’s economic and military role during the Civil War.   

• Examples: economic—production of iron products, munitions, textiles, and ships military—provision of military supplies through the Port of Mobile, provision of an armament center at Selma”

Supporting Curriculum

Do you know about the role that Alabama played during Civil War? Let's watch this video and learn more about how local historical sites, such as Majestic Caverns, played a role in our state's history.