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Let’s Learn Together!

Science: Natural Resources

Week 1 – Complete the “Natural Resources,” “Engineering and Energy,” and “Mix Up, Match Up.” Week 2 – Read and complete activities “In National News…,” “In Maryland News…,” and “In Charles County News…” Background Information – Living things depend on natural resources to survive. Natural resources are anything that is found in nature that we use like water, forests, fossil fuels, minerals, plants, animals, and even air. There are two types of natural resources, renewable and non-renewable. Renewable resources are things that we use over and over because they are replaced naturally. Examples are air, water, sunlight, and trees. Non-renewable resources are things that we use from nature that cannot be replaced during our lives like natural gas, coal, and oil. Fossil fuels are natural fuels (like coal or gas) that are formed from remains of living things. They are non-renewable resources.

Social Studies: What Makes a Good Citizen? Social Studies activities in this learning bundle center on the compelling question, “What makes a good citizen?” Fourth grade students will read and analyze two articles about government and citizenship and answer some text-dependent questions with each. Finally, students will complete one of two final tasks to show what they have learned about good citizenship.

Social Studies and science

Activities At –A–Glance

The following assignments should be kept in the student’s

portfolio to be turned in at a later date:

Science: Mix Up, Match Up, Writing piece on the solar farm

Social Studies: What Makes a Good Citizen? Final Task

My child completed his/her science and social studies work from learning bundle five.

________________________________

Parent Signature

S1

Science – Natural Resources – Grade 4 Natural Resources: Read the text below once. Then re-read and circle the best word in each ( ) to complete the reading.

Resources are found in nature. They make a better quality of life for ( plants humans ). Soil, air, water, sunlight, and trees are all examples of resources that humans use every day. Without resources we could not live on the planet Earth.

Food, water, and sunlight are all examples of a ( natural unnatural ) resource. A natural resource is a material found in (school nature) that is used by living things. Air, rocks, metals, ( cars soil ), and salt are all natural resources.

Renewable resources are resources that can be replaced during a human ( day lifetime ). Trees, air, water, and even energy from the ( sun moon ) are renewable resources. Trees that are cut down can be replaced (never quickly ) when seeds or young trees are planted. ( Water Dirt ) from our bathtubs and sinks can be cleaned at treatment facilities for drinking water. Plants, wind, and rain can help clean polluted air to make it safer to breathe.

Sometimes resources cannot be replaced after they are used. These are called ( renewable nonrenewable ) resources. Once nonrenewable resources are used up, nature ( will will not) be able to replace them during a human lifetime. Oil, natural gas, ( soil houses ), and metals are all types of nonrenewable resources that we use every day.

Coal is another example of a nonrenewable resource. Coal is made by nature deep within the ( planets Earth). Humans mine the coal underground and use it as an ( energy wind ) source. Once humans have mined all the coal from inside Earth, there will be no more coal for us to ( use sell ). Humans are finding new ways to harness other natural resources to do jobs that have mainly used coal in the past. For example, ( wind Earth ) and water turbines are now used to generate electrical energy instead of burning coal.

1. A student scientist uses what tool to read the answers to the reading in the box above. a. hand lens b. microscope c. telescope d. mirror

2. Choose all the renewable resources.

a. sun b. wind c. gas d. water

Adapted from Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility - Office of Science Education

S2

Engineering and Energy:

Energy is everywhere! Although sometimes you can hear energy (sound), feel energy (wind), taste energy (food), and see energy (light), most often it is hard to figure out exactly where energy is.

Energy can move and change, but it cannot be destroyed. Almost every form of energy can be changed into other forms. No matter what form, energy has the ability to make something happen or, as scientists put it, "do work."

There are many different types of energy. Some of these types of energy are called renewable, or can be re-used, such as energy from the sun, wind or water. Other energy is called non-renewable because once it is used up, it is gone, like coal, natural gas, and oil.

Engineers know about energy. They design new and more efficient ways to make electricity using renewable resources. They are improving the designs of factories and products to be more efficient and use less energy. They are designing cleaner engines that use less fuel and new car designs that use electric motors. They improve ways to store renewable energy in case there are power failures. When the power goes out, no one wants a “dead” phone. These engineering efforts contribute to a better, cleaner planet for all. Wouldn't it be great to be an engineer making such an important difference in our lives?

Energy Detectives: You have been hired as an engineering energy detective. Your job is to evaluate where you live, inside and outside, to find all the sources of energy available. Complete the chart below. An outside example is given.

Item that uses energy I know it uses energy

because… Source of energy

Plant It is growing Sun

TV

Saving energy is important. What is something that you can do at home to help save energy? __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Adapted from Teach Engineering- University of Colorado- Boulder

S3

Solar Energy

Description:

Positive Effect:

Negative Effect:

Circle: Renewable nonrenewable

Mix Up, Match Up: Use the chart at the bottom of the page to match each of the four energy sources with their correct description, positive effect, and negative effect. Put the correct letters in each box. Number 1 (Fossils Fuels) has been completed for you as an example.

T Gas and oil are

found around the

world

E Uses technology

to capture the

sun’s rays

B Air turns blades

on a turbine to

make energy

A Solar farms use a

lot of land and

can disturb

habitats and heat

up the area

W Sun energy is

free and “clean”

E Wind turbines on

mountains tops can

disturb migrating

animals like birds

S Burning fuels cause

air pollution. Habitat

losses from oil spills

and changing

landform for mining

R Energy made

from flowing

water

E Rivers flow so

energy is

inexpensive after

the dam is built

L Clean energy-

No pollution is

created with

wind

N Dams cause

damage to animal

habitats like

salmon who need

to swim up river

to lay eggs

I Energy is found

deep in the

ground in the

form of oil, gas,

or coal

Water (hydroelectric)

Energy

Description:

Positive Effect:

Negative Effect:

Circle: Renewable nonrenewable

Wind Energy

Description:

Positive Effect:

Negative Effect:

Circle: Renewable nonrenewable

Fossil Fuels

Description:

I

Positive Effect:

T

Negative Effect:

S

Circle: Renewable nonrenewable

Write the letters of the answers above to solve the riddle:

How is a library book like solar energy?

I T’S __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

1..

2.

3.

4

S4

In National News…

Most Americans (77%) say it’s more important for the United States to develop alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind power, than use more coal, oil and other fossil fuels, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. This raises the question: How did America’s use of energy change from 2000 to 2019?

Adapted from Pew Research 2020

United States Energy Sources in 2000 and 2019

3. How did our use of the sources of energy change from 2000 to 2019? In the chart below, list the sources of energy that were used more in 2019 and the sources that were used less in 2019.

Energies used MORE in 2019 Energies used LESS in 2019

4. Predict: In 2030, the US will be using more ________________________________ energies.

a. solar and wind b. coal and oil c. natural gas and oil d. nuclear and coal

Coal 23%

Natural Gas24%

Oil39%

Nuclear8%

Hydroelectric3%

Solar, wind, and other renewables

3%

2000

Coal11%

Natural Gas32%Oil

37%

Nuclear8%

Hydroelectric 3%

Solar, Wind, and other renewables

9%

2019

S5

In Maryland News…

Half of Maryland’s Electricity to Come from Renewable Sources by 2030

Maryland must get 50 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar by 2030 under a bill that became law…

“This is the strongest bill ever passed in Maryland to fight global warming and now stands as a national example…”

(excerpts from The Washington Post, 05/22/19)

In December 2019, Governor Hogan proposed that by 2040, 100% of Maryland’s electricity would come from renewable energy. In Charles County News…

Maryland Denies a Solar Farm that Georgetown University Wanted

to Build

Maryland has denied permission for a solar farm project that Georgetown University wanted to build in Nanjemoy, a rural area in Charles County, MD. The project would clear about 210 acres of trees. The project would actually harm the environment by endangering birds and causing runoff that would damage water that flows to the Chesapeake Bay. A number of at-risk birds — including bald eagles, warblers, eastern whip-poor-wills and wood thrushes — live in this Nanjemoy forest. “Georgetown University’s efforts to use solar energy is admirable, but clean energy should never require clearing high quality forests. We hope that Georgetown will be able to find a more suitable (better) site for the solar farm and commend (praise) them on working toward climate change mitigation (improvement).” (excerpts from The Washington Post- 08/29/19)

5. How can Maryland increase the use of renewable energies to make electricity?

(Hint: Increase means use MORE; decrease means use LESS) a. Increase the use of solar energy and coal b. Decrease the use of natural gas and increase the use of wind energy c. Decrease the use of solar energy and increase the use of natural gas d. Decrease the use of wind and solar energy

Solar Farm—an area of land with a large number of

solar panels set up to generate (make) electricity

S6

6. If Maryland reaches its goal to make all of its electricity from renewable energies by 2040, what

environmental effects may occur? Choose all answers that apply. a. Cleaner air b. Cleaner water c. More pollution d. Wildlife habitat loss e. Less pollution means less breathing problems for people f. Views of more mountain tops with wind turbines

7. Native American representatives spoke at the public meetings about the solar farm that Georgetown

wanted to build on forested land in Nanjemoy, Maryland. They stated that the environment (land, water, plants, animals, and air) is important to them and their culture. Even though solar energy is “clean,” they did not support the building of the solar farm on that land. Use evidence and reasoning to explain how and why that land was not a good choice for building the solar farm. Claim: The forested land was not a good place to build the solar farm. Use evidence and reasoning to support the Native American’s claim about the solar farm. Evidence #1:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence #2:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Reasoning:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Grade 4 Social Studies

SS 1

What Makes a Good Citizen? Research Simulation Task

Directions: Read Source A and Source B and answer the questions that go with each source. Then, use the information from the three sources to complete the final task.

Grade 4 Social Studies

SS 2

Source A

How Government Works: State and Local Power By USHistory.org, adapted by Newsela staff

02/16/2017

The United States has one national government. It also has 50 state governments and 89,000

local governments.

Most government employees work for local and state governments. Ordinary citizens interact

with these officials every day. For example, teachers and policemen are state and local workers.

Some people believe that local government helps bring government closer to the people. Also, it

makes our government more democratic. In order for this to be true, others argue, citizens must

get involved in local politics.

State and Local Officials Governors, lawmakers and other elected officials lead state governments. Judges sit on both state

and local courts. Local officials include mayors, city council members and school board

members.

Many local officials are nonpartisan. In other words, they do not run for election with a party, or

political group. They just run on their own good names. Often local officials belong to both

political parties.

Not Much Interest in Local Politics How important is local politics to Americans? Do they vote and attend meetings? Do they phone

their local officials and keep up with the news surrounding local politics?

In general, citizens are not very interested in, or informed about, their local governments. They

tend to be much more interested in the national government. They also know much more about

what is happening at the national level.

A teacher smiles as she helps a

student with reading at Grace L.

Patterson Elementary, a public

school in California. Public school

teachers work for the local

government. They are one of

many kinds of public officials

people cross paths with every day.

Photo by: AP Photo/Rich

Pedroncelli.

Grade 4 Social Studies

SS 3

In the last few presidential elections, a little more than half of eligible voters showed up at the

polls. Far fewer people show up to vote in local elections, such as school board and city council

elections. For these, only about one in every 10 eligible voters turns out to vote. Yet these

elections have a much bigger impact on voters' daily lives. So why is there such a big difference

in voter turnout?

Many Important Issues Involve Local Governments

Some of the reasons are understandable. After all, local governments are involved with everyday

things. These governments provide fire and police service. They keep the roads in

shape. They try to bring more jobs to the community. When these things are working correctly,

they may not always be very exciting.

People tend to let local officials do their jobs until something happens that directly affects their

lives. For example, people might be more likely to get involved after a neighbor's house is

robbed. Then, they will want to know how their local officials are going to respond.

Overall, most people seem to have very little interest in local politics. If they were more

interested, they would be more involved. Still, many important issues today directly involve state

and local governments. People need protection from crime and violence. They depend on state

and local officials for that. All governments have to deal with drugs, racism and poverty.

Education, the protection of the environment and health care are all big problems in the United

States today. All across the United States, thousands of people are trying to solve them. But to

work properly, a democracy needs all of its citizens to participate.

A rally for Democratic presidential

candidate Hillary Clinton in

November 2016. For presidential

elections, candidates usually tour

the country and hold many events

to help gain support. But it is not

as common for local politicians to

have these kinds of big

campaigns.

Photo by: Associated

Press/Andrew Harnik.

Grade 4 Social Studies

SS 4

1. Part A: Select the paragraph from section "Not Much Interest In Local Politics" that compares national and local elections. A) Paragraph 4

C) Paragraph 6

B) Paragraph 5

D) Paragraph 7

Part B: Select two pieces of text evidence that compares national and local elections. “Far fewer people show up to vote in local elections, such as school board and city

council elections.”

“Still, many important issues today directly involve state and local governments.”

“They tend to be much more interested in the national government.”

“Often local officials belong to both political parties.” 2. Part A: According to the author, what is the one time when people get involved in local government?

A) during the presidential election

C) when it affects them personally

B) when everything is working correctly

D) on a daily basis

Part B: Choose text evidence that BEST supports your answer to Part A.

A) “Some people believe that local government helps bring government closer to the people”

B) “They just run on their own good names.” C) “…people might be more likely to get involved after a neighbor's house is robbed.” D) “After all, local governments are involved with everyday things.” E) “Then, they will want to know how their local officials are going to respond.” F) “People tend to let local officials do their jobs until something happens that directly

affects their lives.” 3.What is the main idea of this article?

A) Local governments function differently at the state and town level than national governments.

B) Americans are very interested in national politics because they believe that voting for the president is important.

C) Local governments affect people's everyday lives and people should be more involved in them.

D) Local officials like statesmen, mayors and school board members are more important than people realize.

Grade 4 Social Studies

SS 5

4. Part A: What is the opinion of the author in the article? A) Citizens need to participate in both national and local government

C) National elections are more important than local elections

B) Elections need to take place at the local level

D) Elections are important to the American people

Part B: Choose the text evidence that best supports your answer in Part A.

A) “Overall, most people seem to have very little interest in local politics. If they were more interested, they would be more involved. Still, many important issues today directly involve state and local governments. People need protection from crime and violence. They depend on state and local officials for that.”

B) “Far fewer people show up to vote in local elections, such as school board and city council elections. For these, only about one in every 10 eligible voters turns out to vote. Yet these elections have a much bigger impact on voters' daily lives. So why is there such a big difference in voter turnout?”

C) “All governments have to deal with drugs, racism and poverty. Education, the protection of the environment and health care are all big problems in the United States today. All across the United States, thousands of people are trying to solve them. But to work properly, a democracy needs all of its citizens to participate.”

D) “In general, citizens are not very interested in or informed about their local governments. They tend to be much more interested in the national government.”

Source B

How Government Works: What is Citizenship? By Encyclopedia Britannica, adapted by Newsela staff

02/24/2017

Citizenship is all about rights and responsibilities. A citizen is a person who is a full member of a

country. Citizens have rights that are given by the country's government. For example, a citizen

has the right to be protected by a country's laws. In return, citizens have responsibilities that they

owe to the country. One of the most important duties is being loyal to the country.

Citizens in California show up to vote

for president in 2008. Citizens have

certain rights. Voting for leaders, like

the president is one example.

Photo from: Associated Press.

Grade 4 Social Studies

SS 6

Citizenship is different than nationality. A person's nationality tells which country that person is

from. People who are from a certain country are not always citizens of that country, though.

They may have gained citizenship in another country, or they may have lost their citizenship.

People who live in a country but are not citizens or nationals of that country are called aliens.

Rules for Citizenship Each country sets its own rules for citizenship. Many countries have set up four ways to become

a citizen. First, anyone who is born in the country is a citizen. Second, anyone whose mother or

father is a citizen is also a citizen. Third, anyone who is married to a citizen becomes a citizen.

Fourth, a person who goes through a process

called naturalization becomes a citizen.

Naturalization is a way for someone born in

one country to become a citizen of another

country. Naturalization laws differ from

country to country. Usually, people who want

to become naturalized citizens must have lived

in the new country for several years. They

usually must speak the country's language.

They might have to pass a test about the

country's laws and history. Often, they must

take an oath, or swear to be loyal to the

country.

Rights and Duties of Citizens

Citizens have certain rights. Some countries give their citizens more or different rights than other

countries. Citizens usually have the right to vote. They often have the right to be elected to

government jobs as well. Other rights of citizens might include the right to follow any religion

they choose, and the right to speak freely.

Citizens also have duties, or responsibilities. Voting is both a responsibility and a right. Citizens

must vote to make sure that their government works for the good of its citizens. Citizens also

might have the duty to serve on a jury during a trial in court. Some countries also make serving

in the military a duty of all citizens.

Aliens might have some of the same rights as citizens. However, they usually cannot vote or

serve in the government. Aliens also have some of the same responsibilities as citizens. They

must obey the country's laws and they often must pay taxes, too.

People Can Lose Their Citizenship

Loss of citizenship is pretty rare. It happens only in very special cases. For example, if someone

becomes a naturalized citizen of a different country, a government could take away that

person's citizenship. A government also might take away the citizenship of someone who shows

loyalty to another country. Examples of this include voting in a foreign election or serving in a

foreign military. Trying to overthrow the government by force is a serious crime that can result

People raise their hands to take a pledge. They

are becoming citizens of the United States.

Photo from: Grand Canyon National Park.

Grade 4 Social Studies

SS 7

in loss of citizenship. Naturalized citizens who commit other serious crimes might lose their

citizenship as well.

People who have lost their citizenship can end up as citizens of no country. Those people are

called stateless persons.

In America, serving on a jury is a citizen's responsibility.

President Trump served on a jury while campaigning in

2015. It is important to note that being a politician does

not mean you don't have to do jury duty. Presidents

Barack Obama and George Bush were also called to

serve—while they were in office!

Photo from: Getty Images/Andrew Burton.

How Government Works: What is Citizenship?

5. Write the BEST four statements that create a summary of the article in the boxes below.

A) Aliens share some of the rights that citizens have, but they cannot vote.

B) Citizens are people who are full members of a country.

C) Citizens also have responsibilities, or duties, like voting and serving on a jury.

D) One way to become a citizen is to marry someone who is already a citizen.

E) Rules for becoming and staying a citizen are different for every country, but there are

typically four ways to become a citizen.

F) People can lose their citizenship if they vote in a foreign election or commit serious

crimes.

Grade 4 Social Studies

SS 8

6. Part A: Answer the following question based on the article.

What is the relationship between a right and a duty?

A) Duties are what citizens should do

in exchange for getting rights.

C) Duties are what citizens receive in return

for giving up their rights.

B) Duties are what citizens avoid so

that they will not lose their rights.

D) Duties are what citizens try to protect so

they can gain their rights.

Part B: Choose a piece of text evidence that supports your answer in Part A.

A) “…could take away that’s person’s citizenship.”

B) “Voting is both a responsibility and a right.”

C) “For example, a citizen has the right to be protected by a country’s laws.”

D) “…citizens have responsibilities that they owe to the country.”

7. Copy the following phrases into the correct category to show the difference between Rights

and Duties.

Vote Pay Taxes Loyal to Country

Be on a Jury Protected by Laws Speak Freely

Be a part of the Military Elected to Government Religion

Rights of Citizens Duties of Citizens

8. According to the article, select ALL the requirements listed below for becoming a citizen of

another country?

“A government may take away citizenship of someone who shows loyalty to another

country.

“People who have lost their citizenship can end up citizens of no country.”

“First, anyone who is born in the country is a citizen.”

“… a person who goes through a process called naturalization becomes a citizen”

“they usually speak the country’s language”

“…anyone who is married to a citizen…”

“Second, anyone whose mother and father is a citizen is also a citizen”

Grade 4 Social Studies

SS 9

9. Which selection from the article BEST supports the idea that most people are able to keep

their citizenship once they have it?

A) Citizenship is all about rights and responsibilities. A citizen is a person who is a full

member of a country.

B) First, anyone who is born in the country is a citizen. Second, anyone whose mother or

father is a citizen is also a citizen.

C) Citizens usually have the right to vote. They often have the right to be elected to

government jobs as well.

D) Loss of citizenship is pretty rare. It happens only in very special cases

What Makes a Good Citizen? Final Task

Directions: Choose one of the following to show what you have learned from the

two sources. Complete your final task on a sheet of notebook paper or type it on

the computer.

Choice One: After reading both sources, "How Government

Works: State and Local Power" and "How Government Works:

What is Citizenship?" do you plan on voting when you turn

18? How will you use your citizenship to help your local

community or even your country? Use evidence from both

articles when writing your multi-paragraph essay.

Choice Two: Scenario: Your town (Waldorf, La Plata, Indian

Head, etc.) has a problem with people littering. As a town or as

a citizen, what could you do about it? Using what you have

learned about citizenship, write a letter to the mayor of your

town (or another government official) sharing what you think

should be done in order to correct this.