Biology Program Goals and Objectives
Grade Level 4

About the Biology Program
All students will participate in the Barrier Island Ecology Course at the same time. Small groups of approximately twelve students together with a Sound to Sea instructor each start in a different habitat area and begin a rotation. This component introduces students to the five habitats (beach/ocean, maritime forest, freshwater pond, salt marsh, and sound/estuary), geological history, basic ecological concepts and general habitat study skills that are reinforced throughout the entire program. Sound to Sea instructors encourage exploration and present various ecological concepts (such as habitats, cycles, communities, populations, species, food webs, decomposition, etc.) as students discover concrete evidence that relates to that concept. As the groups explore each habitat, students observe the differences and make comparisons. The Habitat Study skills include: observation, measurement, data collection, and analysis and assessment of habitat conditions with respect to soil, air, water, wind, temperature, and human impact; and observation, identification, classification, mapping and representative sampling of species present within the habitat.

Main Curriculum Area: Science
Other Curriculum Area: Social Studies
Grade Level: 4

Primary Goals and Objectives:
These objectives will be covered during all Biology Program classes. Some objectives are more specific to one habitat than another, so if your schedule does not allow you to take all offered classes, or if there are particular objectives that you want to make sure we cover, please let us know what your specific needs are.

Science Competency
Goal 1		 The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of animal behavior and adaptation.

Objectives
1.01 Observe and describe how all living and nonliving things affect the life of a particular animal including:
  • Other animals.
  • Plants.
  • Weather.
  • Climate.

1.02 Observe and record how animals of the same kind differ in some of their characteristics and discuss possible advantages and disadvantages of this variation.

1.03 Observe and discuss how behaviors and body structures help animals survive in a particular habitat.

1.04 Explain and discuss how humans and other animals can adapt their behavior to live in changing habitats.

1.05 Recognize that humans can understand themselves better by learning about other animals.


Science Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate technology to build an understanding of how food provides energy and materials for growth and repair of the body.

Objectives
4.01 Explain why organisms require energy to live and grow.

4.03 Discuss how foods provide both energy and nutrients for living organisms.


Fourth Grade North Carolina: Geography and History
Social Studies Skill Competency
Goal 1		 The learner will apply the five themes of geography to North Carolina and its people.

Objectives
1.01 Locate, in absolute and relative terms, major landforms, bodies of water and natural resources in North Carolina.

1.02 Describe and compare physical and cultural characteristics of the regions.

1.04 Evaluate ways the people of North Carolina used, modified, and adapted to the physical environment, past and present.


Social Studies Skill Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will analyze social and political institutions in North Carolina such as government, education, religion, and family and how they structure society, influence behavior, and respond to human needs.

Objectives
4.03 Explain the importance of responsible citizenship and identify ways North Carolinians can participate in civic affairs.
Social Studies Skill Competency
Goal 6		 The learner will evaluate how North Carolinians apply basic economic principles within the community, state, and nation.

Objectives
6.01 Explain the relationship between unlimited wants and limited resources.

6.02 Analyze the choices and opportunity cost involved in economic decisions.

6.03 Categorize the state's resources as natural, human, or capital.

6.04 Assess how the state's natural resources are being used.


Social Studies Skill Competency
Goal 7		 The learner will recognize how technology influences change within North Carolina.

Objectives
7.02 Analyze the effect of technology on North Carolina's citizens, past and present.

7.04 Analyze the effect of technology on North Carolina citizens today.

7.05 Identify the advantages and disadvantages of technology in the lives of North Carolinians.


Social Studies
K-12 Skill Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will acquire strategies to access a variety of sources, and use appropriate research skills to gather, synthesize, and report information using diverse modalities to demonstrate the knowledge acquired.

Objectives
2.04 Utilize community-related resources such as field trips, guest speakers, and interviews.


Social Studies
K-12 Skill Competency
Goal 3		 The learner will acquire strategies to analyze, interpret, create, and use resources and materials.

Objectives
3.01 Use map and globe reading skills.

Social Studies
K-12 Skill Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will acquire strategies needed for applying decision-making and problem-solving techniques both orally and in writing to historic, contemporary, and controversial world issues.

Objectives
4.01 Use hypothetical reasoning processes.

4.02 Examine, understand, and evaluate conflicting viewpoints.

4.04 Apply conflict resolutions.

4.05 Predict possible outcomes.

4.06 Draw conclusions.

4.08 Develop hypotheses.