Grade 4: Science – Waste & Our World
4-5 Recognize that human activity can lead to the production of wastes, and identify alternatives for the responsible use and disposal of materials.
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Identify plant and animal wastes, and describe how they are recycled in nature. For example, plant leaves serve as a source of food for soil insects, worms and other creatures. The wastes of these animals may then be further broken down by molds, fungi and bacteria.
Grade 4: Science – Plant Growth & Changes
4-10 Demonstrate knowledge and skills for the study, interpretation, propagation and enhancement of plant growth.
1. Describe the importance of plants to humans and their importance to the natural environment. Students who meet this expectation should be able to give examples of plants being used as a source of food or shelter, and be aware of the role plants play in the environment; e.g., preventing erosion, maintaining oxygen.
2. Identify and describe the general purpose of plant roots, stems, leaves and flowers.
3. Describe common plants, and classify them on the basis of their characteristics and uses.
4. Recognize that plant requirements for growth; i.e., air, light energy, water, nutrients and space; vary from plant to plant and that other conditions; e.g., temperature and humidity; may also be important to the growth of particular plants.
5. Identify examples of plants that have special needs.
6. Recognize that a variety of plant communities can be found within the local area and that differences in plant communities are related to variations in the amount of light, water and other conditions.
11. Describe different ways that seeds are distributed; e.g., by wind, by animals; and recognize seed adaptations for different methods of distribution.
Grade 4: Social Science – Alberta: The Land, Histories & Stories
4.1 Alberta: A Sense of the Land – demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how elements of physical geography, climate, geology and paleontology are integral to the landscapes and environment of Alberta.
4.1.1 Using a grasslands lens, value Alberta's physical geography and natural environment:
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appreciate the diversity of elements pertaining to geography, climate, geology and paleontology in Alberta
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appreciate the variety and abundance of natural resources in Alberta
appreciate the environmental significance of national and provincial parks and protected areas in Alberta
appreciate how land sustains communities and quality of life
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demonstrate care and concern for the environment through their choices and actions
4.1.2 Using a grasslands lens, examine, critically, the physical geography of Alberta by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
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Where is Alberta located in relation to the other provinces and territories of Canada?
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What are the major geographical and natural vegetation regions, landforms and bodies of water in Alberta (e.g., prairie region, forests, rivers, hoodoos, Rocky Mountains, oil sands)?
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What are the factors that determine climate in the diverse regions of Alberta (e.g., latitude, mountains)?
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What are the significant natural resources in Alberta, and where are they located (e.g., mineral deposits, coal, natural gas and oil, forests)?
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How are Alberta's provincial parks and protected areas and the national parks in Alberta important to the sustainability of Alberta's natural environment?
4.1.3 Using a grasslands lens, examine, critically, how geology and paleontology contribute to knowledge of Alberta's physical geography by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
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What geological features make Alberta unique (e.g., hoodoos, Rocky Mountains, foothills, oil sands)?
4.1.4 Using a grasslands lens, analyze how Albertans interact with their environment by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
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In what ways do the physical geography and natural resources of a region determine the establishment of communities?
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How are natural resources used by Albertans (i.e., agriculture, oil and natural gas, forests, coal)?
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How do Albertans deal with competing demands on land use (e.g., conservation, solar and wind power, recreation, agriculture, oil exploration, forestry)?
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Whose responsibility should it be to ensure the preservation of national parks, provincial parks and protected areas in Alberta?
4.2: The Stories, Histories and Peoples of Alberta – demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the role of stories, history and culture in strengthening communities and contributing to identity and a sense of belonging.
4.2.1 Using a grasslands lens, appreciate how an understanding of Alberta's history, peoples and stories contributes to their own sense of belonging and identity:
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recognize how stories of people and events provide multiple perspectives on past and present events
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recognize oral traditions, narratives and stories as valid sources of knowledge about the land, culture and history
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recognize the presence and influence of diverse Aboriginal peoples as inherent to Alberta's culture and identity
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recognize the history of the French language and the vitality of Francophone communities as integral parts of Alberta's heritage
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recognize British institutions and peoples as integral parts of Alberta's heritage
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recognize how the diversity of immigrants from Europe and other continents has enriched Alberta's rural and urban communities
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demonstrate respect for places and objects of historical significance
4.2.2 Using a grasslands lens, assess, critically, how the cultural and linguistic heritage and diversity of Alberta has evolved over time by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
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Which First Nations originally inhabited the different areas of the province?
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What do the stories of Aboriginal peoples tell us about their beliefs regarding the relationship between people and the land?
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What movement or migration within Canada contributed to the populating of Alberta?
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How did European immigration contribute to the establishment of communities in Alberta in the late 19th century and early 20th century?
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How did the arrival of diverse groups of people determine the establishment and continued growth of rural and urban communities?
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How are agriculture and the establishment of communities interconnected?
4.3: Alberta: Celebrations & Challenges – demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how Alberta has grown and changed culturally, economically and socially since 1905.
4.3.1 Using a grasslands lens, appreciate the factors contributing to quality of life in Alberta:
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demonstrate respect for the rights, opinions and perspectives of others
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demonstrate respect for the cultural and linguistic diversity in Alberta
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appreciate the influence of the natural environment and resources on the growth and development of Alberta
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value and respect their relationships with the environment
