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Browse by Grade: Primary 4

Singapore · MOE Syllabus Outcomes

Primary 4 Science

A comprehensive inquiry into the physical and biological principles that govern our environment. Students engage in hands on investigations to understand the diversity of life, the properties of matter, and the fundamental nature of light and heat energy.

10 units·54 topics·Ages 9-10

01Cycles in Living Things

8 topics·Semester 1

Students investigate the predictable patterns of growth and change in animals and plants to understand the continuity of life.

Introduction to Life Cycles

Students will define what a life cycle is and identify common stages across different organisms.

Concept MappingThink-Pair-Share
Life Cycles of Insects: Complete Metamorphosis

Students will examine the four-stage life cycle of insects like butterflies, focusing on distinct developmental stages.

Stations RotationExperiential LearningCase Study Analysis
Life Cycles of Insects: Incomplete Metamorphosis

Students will investigate the three-stage life cycle of insects such as grasshoppers, highlighting the nymph stage.

JigsawGallery WalkFour Corners
Life Cycles of Amphibians

Students will explore the life cycle of frogs, focusing on the transition from aquatic tadpole to terrestrial adult.

Simulation GameInquiry CircleRole Play
Life Cycles of Mammals and Birds

Students will compare the direct development and parental care in mammals and birds.

Case Study AnalysisDocument MysteryExpert Panel
Seed Germination and Growth

Students will investigate the conditions necessary for a seed to germinate and begin growing into a seedling.

Inquiry CircleExperiential LearningProject-Based Learning
From Seedling to Mature Plant

Students will trace the development of a plant from a young seedling to a mature plant capable of reproduction.

Gallery WalkStations RotationConcept Mapping
Pollination and Seed Dispersal

Students will explore the processes of pollination and various methods of seed dispersal in flowering plants.

JigsawRole PlayProblem-Based Learning

02Matter and Its States

7 topics·Semester 1

An exploration of the physical world through the measurement and classification of solids, liquids, and gases.

Defining Matter: Mass and Volume

Students will define matter, mass, and volume, and practice measuring these properties using appropriate tools.

Inquiry CircleStations RotationExperiential Learning
Properties of Solids

Students will investigate the distinct properties of solids, including fixed shape and volume, and particle arrangement.

Stations RotationThink-Pair-ShareConcept Mapping
Properties of Liquids

Students will explore the characteristics of liquids, such as taking the shape of their container and having a fixed volume.

Inquiry CircleGallery WalkCollaborative Problem-Solving
Properties of Gases

Students will investigate the unique properties of gases, including indefinite shape and volume, and compressibility.

Simulation GameProblem-Based LearningDocument Mystery
Changes of State: Melting and Freezing

Students will observe and explain the processes of melting and freezing, relating them to temperature changes.

Experiential LearningStations RotationConcept Mapping
Changes of State: Evaporation and Condensation

Students will investigate evaporation and condensation, understanding their roles in the water cycle and everyday phenomena.

Inquiry CircleCase Study AnalysisJigsaw
Sublimation and Deposition

Students will learn about less common changes of state, sublimation (solid to gas) and deposition (gas to solid).

Document MysteryThink-Pair-ShareGallery Walk

03The Wonder of Light

6 topics·Semester 1

Investigating how light travels, reflects, and interacts with different materials to allow us to see.

Light Sources and Detectors

Students will identify natural and artificial light sources and understand how our eyes detect light.

Inquiry CircleThink-Pair-Share
Light Travels in Straight Lines

Students will demonstrate and explain that light travels in straight lines, forming the basis for shadows and vision.

Experiential LearningStations RotationProblem-Based Learning
Reflection of Light

Students will investigate how light reflects off different surfaces, particularly mirrors, and its applications.

Inquiry CircleProject-Based LearningGallery Walk
Formation of Shadows

Students will explore how shadows are formed when light is blocked by opaque objects, and factors affecting their size and shape.

Experiential LearningStations RotationCase Study Analysis
Transparent, Translucent, and Opaque Materials

Students will classify materials based on their ability to transmit light and explain how this affects visibility and shadow formation.

Gallery WalkThink-Pair-ShareConcept Mapping
Colour and Light

Students will explore how different colours of light combine and how objects appear in different coloured lights.

Experiential LearningInquiry CircleStations Rotation

04Heat and Temperature

7 topics·Semester 1

Understanding heat as a form of energy that flows from hotter to colder regions.

Heat vs. Temperature

Students will differentiate between heat as a form of energy and temperature as a measure of hotness or coldness.

Inquiry CircleThink-Pair-ShareConcept Mapping
Measuring Temperature

Students will learn to use thermometers accurately and understand different temperature scales.

Stations RotationExperiential LearningCollaborative Problem-Solving
Conduction of Heat

Students will investigate heat transfer through conduction in different materials, identifying good and poor conductors.

Inquiry CircleCase Study AnalysisGallery Walk
Convection of Heat

Students will explore heat transfer through convection in liquids and gases, understanding the formation of convection currents.

Simulation GameExperiential LearningProblem-Based Learning
Radiation of Heat

Students will learn about heat transfer through radiation, which does not require a medium, and its properties.

JigsawDocument MysteryThink-Pair-Share
States of Matter and Particle Arrangement

Students will describe the arrangement and movement of particles in solids, liquids, and gases and relate it to their properties.

Concept MappingSimulation GameThink-Pair-Share
Changes of State (Melting and Boiling)

Students will investigate the processes of melting and boiling, understanding them as changes of state involving heat energy.

Experiential LearningStations RotationProblem-Based Learning

05Human Body Systems

8 topics·Semester 2

A study of the digestive system and how it interacts with other systems to sustain life.

Introduction to Body Systems

Students will identify the major human body systems and understand their general functions.

Concept MappingGallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Organs of the Digestive System

Students will identify and describe the main organs involved in the human digestive system.

Simulation GameRole PlayStations Rotation
The Process of Digestion

Students will trace the journey of food through the digestive system and understand the breakdown of nutrients.

Concept MappingJigsawProblem-Based Learning
Nutrient Absorption and Transport

Students will learn how digested nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to body cells.

Case Study AnalysisExpert PanelDocument Mystery
The Skeletal System

Students will identify the major bones and functions of the skeletal system, including support and protection.

Stations RotationGallery WalkConcept Mapping
The Muscular System

Students will explore different types of muscles and how they work with the skeletal system to produce movement.

Role PlaySimulation GameExperiential Learning
The Respiratory System

Students will identify the organs of the respiratory system and understand the process of gas exchange.

JigsawPeer TeachingInquiry Circle
The Circulatory System

Students will learn about the heart, blood vessels, and blood, and their role in transporting substances throughout the body.

Simulation GameConcept MappingCase Study Analysis

06Magnets and Their Applications

4 topics·Semester 2

Discovering the properties of magnets and their uses in everyday technology.

Introduction to Magnets

Students will identify what magnets are, their basic properties, and common magnetic materials.

Inquiry CircleStations RotationThink-Pair-Share
Magnetic Fields

Students will visualize and understand the concept of a magnetic field around a magnet.

Experiential LearningGallery WalkConcept Mapping
Temporary and Permanent Magnets

Students will distinguish between temporary and permanent magnets and learn how to make a temporary magnet.

Inquiry CircleProject-Based LearningStations Rotation
Earth's Magnetism and Compasses

Students will learn about the Earth's magnetic field and how it is used in compasses for navigation.

Case Study AnalysisExperiential LearningDocument Mystery

07Diversity of Living Things

4 topics·Semester 2

Exploring the classification of living organisms and their adaptations to different environments.

Classifying Living Things

Students will learn about the importance of classification and basic hierarchical levels of classification.

Concept MappingJigsawThink-Pair-Share
Characteristics of Plants

Students will identify the common characteristics of plants and their major groups (flowering vs. non-flowering).

Gallery WalkStations RotationInquiry Circle
Characteristics of Animals

Students will explore the common characteristics of animals and their major groups (vertebrates vs. invertebrates).

Case Study AnalysisDocument MysteryPeer Teaching
Microorganisms: Bacteria and Fungi

Students will be introduced to microorganisms, focusing on bacteria and fungi, their characteristics, and roles.

Inquiry CircleProblem-Based LearningExpert Panel

08Water and the Environment

3 topics·Semester 2

Understanding the importance of water, its properties, and its role in the environment.

Properties of Water

Students will explore the unique physical and chemical properties of water that make it essential for life.

Inquiry CircleExperiential LearningThink-Pair-Share
The Water Cycle

Students will trace the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

Simulation GameConcept MappingJigsaw
Water Pollution and Conservation

Students will investigate sources of water pollution and explore methods for water conservation and purification.

Problem-Based LearningCase Study AnalysisTown Hall Meeting

09Forces and Motion

4 topics·Semester 2

An introduction to the fundamental concepts of forces, motion, and their interactions.

Introduction to Forces

Students will define force, identify different types of forces, and understand how forces cause changes in motion.

Inquiry CircleStations RotationThink-Pair-Share
Friction

Students will investigate friction as a force that opposes motion and its effects.

Experiential LearningProblem-Based LearningProject-Based Learning
Gravity

Students will explore gravity as a universal force of attraction and its effects on objects on Earth.

Simulation GameCase Study AnalysisDocument Mystery
Measuring Distance and Time

Students will learn to accurately measure distance and time, which are fundamental to describing motion.

Experiential LearningStations RotationCollaborative Problem-Solving

10Energy and Its Forms

3 topics·Semester 2

Understanding energy as the ability to do work and exploring its various forms and transformations.

What is Energy?

Students will define energy and identify its presence in various forms around us.

Concept MappingThink-Pair-ShareGallery Walk
Forms of Energy

Students will identify and describe different forms of energy, including light, heat, sound, electrical, chemical, and mechanical.

Stations RotationJigsawExperiential Learning
Energy Transformations

Students will investigate how energy can be transformed from one form to another, following the law of conservation of energy.

Project-Based LearningSimulation GameProblem-Based Learning