Inherited & Acquired Traits Activities for 4th Grade Science

This elementary life science unit focuses on differentiating between inherited and acquired physical traits. It includes presentations, worksheets, choice projects, and assessments, all designed for student-led learning with minimal prep. Aligned with TEKS 4.13B, the unit offers flexibility in formats (printable and digital) and is fully editable.

The lesson follows the 5E Model, with activities covering engagement, exploration, explanation, elaboration, and evaluation. In the engagement phase, students explore vocabulary and class discussions. The exploration phase features differentiated student-led stations, including hands-on demos, reading passages, research, videos, and tasks for students to demonstrate understanding. The explanation phase includes editable PowerPoints and interactive notebooks. In the elaboration phase, students can extend their learning through choice projects. The evaluation phase includes STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments and review materials.

The unit includes Spanish translations for key materials, ensuring accessibility for all learners. It is ideal for both in-class and virtual learning environments.

The student-led, modular station lab aligns with the 2021 TEKS 4.13B standard and focuses on the physical characteristics of organisms. Designed for 4th grade, it engages students in exploring inherited and acquired traits. The lesson provides differentiated activities that allow students to direct their own learning while the teacher facilitates.

In this station lab, students will work through nine stations, each offering various ways to explore the topic. Input stations include activities like "Explore It!" where students apply concepts, "Watch It!" for a video on traits, "Read It!" with passages in English and Spanish, and "Research It!" for deeper understanding through images and graphs.

Output stations let students show their learning through activities such as "Organize It!" with hands-on manipulatives, "Illustrate It!" where they draw examples of traits, "Write It!" for short-answer responses, and "Assess It!" for task card-based assessments. A bonus station, "Challenge It!", provides extension activities for advanced learners.

This resource works for both in-person and virtual learning environments.

The Student Choice Projects on inherited and acquired traits align with the 2021 TEKS standard 4.13B and offer 4th graders the opportunity to select a project that matches their preferred output style. A project page details six student-led project options along with a "design your own" project. Teachers, peers, or students can use the included grading rubric for assessments. The flexible and multimodal projects allow for creativity and personalization, and teachers can modify the rubric to meet their grading needs.

The resource includes nine project options plus a “design your own” project, a Teacher Directions page with suggestions, and editable rubric pages that assess vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy. There are two versions of the project page, with one offering modifications for students needing remediation and differentiation, while the other provides challenge options for advanced students. The projects use standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, and many can be completed digitally.