Internal and External Structures Activities for 4th Grade Science

The Kesler Science Internal and External Structures 4th Grade Complete 5E Lesson is a dynamic, easy-to-implement resource designed to engage students in understanding how internal and external structures help organisms survive. With minimal prep, you’ll have everything you need to guide students through this multi-day life science lesson, from printable or digital resources to assessments and differentiated activities. 

This lesson offers students the opportunity to explore essential questions like: "What are the internal and external structures of plants that help them survive?" and "What are the internal and external structures of animals that help them survive?" The lesson is fully aligned with the 5E Model, promoting student-centered learning and flexible formats, including Spanish translations for inclusivity. 

Included are engaging, multimodal activities for each stage of learning: word wall cards, differentiated station labs, editable PowerPoints, interactive notebook templates, and more. Your 4th grade students will dive deep into hands-on exploration with nine different station options, each catering to varied learning styles. Assessment questions and student-choice projects provide opportunities for both elaboration and review, all while giving you the flexibility to modify materials to meet your classroom’s unique needs.

The Kesler Science Internal and External Structures Station Lab offers a student-centered, modular approach to teaching 4th grade life science. This hands-on, engaging resource saves you prep time and allows students to explore key concepts independently or in small groups. Through a variety of differentiated activities, students will learn how plants and animals’ internal and external structures support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. 

The lab includes nine stations, each with the necessary signage, task cards, and materials for students to dive into multimodal learning. From experiments and research tasks to reading passages and videos, students can engage with the topic in multiple ways. The lab also features a challenge station to extend learning for early finishers. 

Designed for flexibility, the stations are perfect for both in-person and virtual learning environments. Teachers can easily modify activities to meet individual student needs, ensuring that all learners are engaged and supported. With minimal supplies required, the station lab offers a dynamic and effective way to teach internal and external structures.

The Kesler Science Internal and External Structures Student Choice Projects offer 4th grade students a variety of ways to demonstrate their learning through creative projects. Students can select from six project options or create their own, with a grading rubric that allows for assessment by teachers, peers, or self-evaluation. These flexible, multimodal projects cater to different learning styles, giving students the freedom to choose how they showcase their understanding.

Designed with differentiation in mind, the projects include two versions: a modified version to support students needing extra help and a challenging version for advanced learners. Teachers can easily adjust the rubric to match specific needs, ensuring all students can participate and succeed.

With nine project choices and a “design your own” option, the student choice board provides ample flexibility. These projects use basic classroom supplies, though some may require digital tools or crafting materials. The resource also includes a teacher directions page for support, making it easy to implement in both traditional and virtual learning settings.