“Songbooks of Science” and the Next Generation Science Standards
FOURTH GRADE
4-LS1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes – B-B-B-Bats
4-LS1-1. Construct an argument that animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. (B-B-B-Bats – Bats have fur on their bodies for warmth. Their name Chiroptera means “hand-wing.” The elongated finger-like bones of their wings have earned them this name. The skin-like membrane connecting each digit acts as a wing, assisting bats when hunting for food.)
4-LS1-2. Use a model to describe that animals receive different types of information through their senses, process the information in their brain, and respond to the information in different ways. (B-B-B-Bats – Insectivore bats usually have large ears to receive sounds they emit when hunting for flying insects. This form of radar is called echolocation.)
4-ESS2 Earth’s Systems – Changes
4-ESS2-1. Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation. (Changes – The notable changes on page 9 in my book of the Chatham Break in Massachusetts illustrates the effect of erosion by water.)
4-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity – Endangered
4-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment. (Endangered – The burning of fossil fuels has contributed towards the melting of the polar ice caps, negatively affecting the hunting habitat of polar bears. Alternative forms of energy are presented in my book as possible solutions to this crisis.)
*LS – Life Sciences
*ESS – Earth and Space Sciences