SCI4-OI3-GQ1-LO1-KO4-U: Earth's systems are interconnected and can be impacted by small…
Earth's systems are interconnected and can be impacted by small changes (sealed versus open jar).
The Alberta Science Kindergarten to Grade 6 outcome SCI4-OI3-GQ1-LO1-KO4-U (Earth systems) for Grade 4 says: “Earth's systems are interconnected and can be impacted by small changes (sealed versus open jar).” This Fieldbook unit teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: Alberta Science Kindergarten to Grade 6.
Our Living Planet Grade 4
Air, water, land and living things, and how each one depends on the others. Students build a sealed jar ecosystem to keep for a month and catch the water cycle in a bag on the window.
- Can a jar keep itself alive? 50–60 min to build, then 5 min check-ins twice a week for 4 weeks, and a 30 min Reveal and Act
Each team builds a small world of soil, water, air and plants inside a clear jar, seals it, and keeps an observation log for four weeks beside an open jar built the same way. Students explain how water and air are used again and again inside the sealed jar, and why it still needs light from outside.
- Where does rain come from? 45–60 min, plus a 5 min look later the same day or the next morning
Students tape a zip-top bag of blue water to a sunny window and another to a shady wall, and catch a cold cup 'sweating' in the room. They follow the water from the bottom of the bag to the clear drops at the top, and explain how the Sun, air and clouds bring rain back down.
Printable practice for SCI4-OI3-GQ1-LO1-KO4-U
- Our Living Planet workbook included with the unit
2 English-support pages, 2 practice pages, 2 readings, 1 word wall, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
- The Water Cycle, Start to Finish workbook included with the unit
2 English-support pages, 2 practice pages, 2 readings, 1 word wall, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
- Weather Detectives workbook included with the unit
2 practice pages, 2 readings, 1 word wall, 1 English-support page, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
Need just this outcome? Build a custom pack from these pages, with its answer key, in about a minute. Custom packs come with All-access and school licences.
Compared with NGSS: 5-ESS2-1, 5-LS2-1 (partial).
More Alberta Grade 4 science outcomes we teach
Every Alberta Grade 4 science curriculum outcome we teach
Every unit matched to Alberta's curriculum · All places and curricula
Three full lessons, free
Make a free account and download any three Fieldbook lessons as printable PDFs. No card needed.