Patterns of Earth's Features Activities for 4th Grade Science

The Kesler Science Patterns of Earth’s Features 4th Grade Complete 5E Lesson provides everything you need for a dynamic, student-led learning experience. With minimal prep, this multi-day lesson engages students in exploring how maps represent Earth’s features and patterns.  

Following the 5E Model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate—students interact with differentiated materials through hands-on stations, editable PowerPoints, and student-choice projects. Input stations introduce concepts through reading, research, videos, and experiments, while output stations allow students to demonstrate learning through writing, illustrations, and assessments. A bonus challenge station extends learning for early finishers.  

This lesson is designed for maximum flexibility, offering both printable and digital resources, Spanish translations, and interactive notebook templates. Whether in the classroom or virtual, students will stay engaged while deepening their understanding of Earth’s features.

The Kesler Science Patterns of Earth’s Features Station Lab immerses 4th graders in an engaging, hands-on earth science lesson. With minimal prep, teachers can facilitate student-driven learning as they analyze maps and recognize Earth’s feature patterns.  

Students rotate through nine stations, each offering interactive, multimodal learning experiences. Four input stations introduce concepts through exploration, research, reading, and video. Four output stations reinforce understanding through organization, illustration, writing, and assessment. A bonus challenge station extends learning for early finishers.  

Designed for flexibility, the lab includes all necessary signage, task cards, and resources. Whether in the classroom or virtual, students engage with hands-on activities, manipulatives, and digital tools to deepen their understanding.

The Kesler Science Patterns of Earth's Features Student Choice Projects empower 4th graders to showcase their understanding through diverse, student-led projects. With six structured options plus a "design your own" project, students can select a format that fits their learning style. A flexible rubric supports teacher, peer, or self-assessment.  

This resource includes a teacher directions page, nine project board options, and editable rubric pages assessing vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy. Differentiated versions provide targeted support or added challenges.  

Using common classroom supplies, students can create paper-based, digital, or hands-on projects, making this an engaging and adaptable learning experience.