Impact of Energy Resources Activities for 4th Grade Science

The Kesler Science 5E Lesson for TEKS 4.11B is a comprehensive environmental science unit focused on the role of energy resources and the impact of conservation, disposal, and recycling on the environment and modern life. Designed for 4th-grade students, this engaging, low-prep, multiday lesson features editable presentations, worksheets, assessments, and choice projects to support differentiated, student-led learning.

Aligned with the 2021 TEKS standards, the unit follows the 5E Model: engaging activities with vocabulary in English and Spanish, a hands-on exploration station lab with nine diverse stations, and editable PowerPoints with interactive notebook templates. Students can extend their learning through choice projects and demonstrate understanding with STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments. The lesson offers flexible digital and printable formats, Spanish translations, and differentiated resources to meet all learning needs, making it ideal for both classroom and virtual learning.

Engage your 4th-grade students with this student-led station lab aligned with the 2021 TEKS 4.11B standard. Designed for Earth science lessons, this interactive resource helps students explore the role of energy resources and examine the environmental impacts of conservation, disposal, and recycling.

The lab features nine differentiated, student-centered stations that encourage independent or small-group learning. Input stations introduce new concepts through activities like a hands-on game, educational video, reading passages (available in English and Spanish), and research tasks using facts, images, and graphs. Output stations let students demonstrate their understanding by organizing information with manipulatives, illustrating energy use and conservation, writing responses, and completing assessments using task cards. A bonus challenge station offers extension activities like crosswords, games, and mini-projects for advanced learners.

This versatile, low-prep resource is ideal for both in-person and virtual learning, promoting active engagement and critical thinking.

The Energy Resources Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS Earth Science standard 4.11B, offering 4th-grade students the opportunity to choose a project that suits their preferred output style. The project page features six student-led options, along with a “design your own” project, and includes an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment. This resource is also part of the Impact of Energy Resources Complete Lesson for TEKS 4.11B.

These flexible, multimodal projects allow students to creatively demonstrate their understanding. Two versions of the project page support differentiation, with modified options for students needing remediation and more challenging options for advanced learners. Teachers can adjust the rubric to meet their grading needs.

The resource includes nine project choices plus a “design your own” option, a teacher directions page for guidance, and editable rubric pages that assess vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy. Projects use standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options available for digital completion.