Investigate Patterns of Forces Student-Led Station Lab - Grade 4, New TEKS 4.7

Modular and student-led, this series of activities on the patterns of forces, like gravity, friction, and magnetism, covers the physics 2021 TEKS 4.7A standard. It will keep your 4th grade class engaged and learning throughout this physical science lesson. These comprehensive materials will save you a TON of prep time while giving upper elementary students a chance to direct their own learning.

In this station lab, students will explore descriptive investigations and the ways in which patterns of gravity, friction, and magnetism affect objects.

DIFFERENTIATED, MODULAR, STUDENT-LED

Each station lab has nine differentiated activities that help the student create a personalized learning experience. In this student-centered approach, the teacher facilitates student learning rather than directing it.

The nine modular stations include all the signage, literature, resources, and task cards for the students to complete independently or in small groups. The stations may also require a few materials that you likely already have in your lab for the Explore It! station.

THE STATIONS

INPUT Stations offer multimodal ways to encounter new concepts about the effects of patterns of forces on objects, including:

Explore It! – This station includes descriptive investigation that allows the student to connect information through application. In the digital version, students manipulate images and text in PowerPoint or Google Slides.

Watch It! – Students watch a short video at this station and answer questions about friction and magnetism. 

Read It! – At this station, students read a short passage about the forces of motion and answer questions about the reading and vocabulary terms. There are differentiated passages, now in English and Spanish, for readers that need a shorter, easier text.

Research It! – This station gives students facts, images, and graphs to connect with their learning about predicting and describing effects of forces. Students will perform tasks and answer related questions on their lab sheet. 

OUTPUT Stations provide multiple ways for students to show what they have learned as they investigate patterns of gravity, friction, and magnetism.

Organize It! – The students work hands-on with manipulatives at this station. In the digital version, students manipulate images and text in PowerPoint or Google Slides.

Illustrate It! – At this station, the student sketches or draws out a diagram of magnetism and gravity. This visual learning activity allows for better recall and retention of new information.

Write It! – At this station, the students respond to short answer prompts that allow them to communicate their knowledge using complete sentences.

Assess It! – The students demonstrate their understanding of patterns of forces using a series of task cards with questions and a paragraph that uses vocabulary in context.

Bonus Station - Challenge It! – Early finishers and advanced students will love the extension activities in this station. Expand their learning through crosswords, games, and mini projects.

Can This Resource Be Used for Virtual Learning?

Yes! Station labs have been created so that students can use them on campus or in a virtual learning environment.

This is a finished product; it will be updated with formatting or corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.