Investigating Energy Transfer Activities for 4th Grade Science

This energy unit for 4th grade covers the transfer of energy through motion, water waves, and sound. It includes editable PowerPoints, worksheets, assessments, and student-choice projects, designed for differentiated, student-led learning with minimal prep. The lesson is aligned with the 2021 TEKS 4.8A standard and follows the 5E Model.

In the Engagement phase, students use word wall cards, discuss essential questions, and engage in class activities. The Exploration phase features a differentiated station lab with nine stations, including hands-on demos, reading passages in English and Spanish, website research, and videos. Output stations encourage students to organize, write, illustrate, and assess their understanding of energy transfer. A bonus “Challenge It!” station provides extension activities for early finishers.

The Explanation phase includes editable PowerPoints and interactive notebooks in multiple formats, along with note-taking templates. The Elaboration phase offers student-choice projects for deeper understanding. Evaluation includes STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments, review questions, and worksheets for practice. Materials are adaptable for in-class or virtual learning.

This student-led station lab, aligned with the 2021 TEKS 4.8A standard on energy transfer, engages 4th grade students in exploring how energy moves through motion, waves, and sound. The lesson promotes self-directed learning with nine modular, differentiated activities. Students work independently or in small groups, completing tasks at various stations that include watching videos, reading passages, and conducting hands-on experiments.

The stations include activities such as exploring concepts through application, watching videos to observe energy movement, reading passages on energy transfer, and researching real-world examples. Output stations give students opportunities to organize information, illustrate diagrams, write responses, and complete assessments. A bonus challenge station offers advanced students extension activities like games and mini projects.

This versatile resource is ideal for both in-class and virtual learning environments, providing a comprehensive, low-prep way to teach energy transfer concepts.

These energy transfer Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS standard 4.8A for physics and offer 4th-grade students a variety of project options to showcase their learning in a preferred format. The project page includes six different student-led project choices, plus a “design your own” option, and an editable grading rubric that allows for assessments by teachers, peers, or students. 

These flexible, multimodal projects provide creative ways for students to demonstrate understanding. Teachers can adapt the rubric for grading and differentiate for various student needs. The projects require standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options also available for digital completion.