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District of Columbia Grade 4 Science
Analyze invented soil-tray results, distinguish erosion from weathering, and follow a selected DC Grade 4 NGSS Earth-science reference.
State resources · Focused study · Clear next steps
Standards source: DC Science Standards, Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
Compare water flow while holding the soil setup steady
Analyze invented soil-tray results, distinguish erosion from weathering, and follow a selected DC Grade 4 NGSS Earth-science reference.
The DC science standards directory identifies NGSS adoption in December 2013 and links the standards publisher. Use the Publisher NGSS document for the selected performance expectations and their examples and boundaries. This activity selects a Grade 4 expectation. It is one part of a science course, not a complete curriculum.
What do two water-flow settings suggest?
Two settings in an imaginary soil-tray investigation use the same soil, slope, tray size, and one-minute duration. Only the water-flow setting changes: 100 or 200 milliliters per minute. Sediment carried out of each tray is collected, dried using the same routine, and measured. The table gives invented results from three trials at each setting.
Explain the evidence or model
At the lower-flow setting, the collected sediment masses are 5, 6, and 7 grams. At the higher-flow setting, they are 11, 12, and 13 grams. Every higher-flow result exceeds every lower-flow result in this small table. Under the described conditions, the evidence supports the claim that the higher flow carried out more sediment during the same time. The result concerns erosion: movement of soil material from the tray. It does not show how fast a rock broke into smaller pieces, which would concern weathering.
| Trial | 100 mL/min setting | 200 mL/min setting |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 g | 11 g |
| 2 | 6 g | 12 g |
| 3 | 7 g | 13 g |
What to check in the explanation
Changing the slope along with the flow would leave two possible explanations for a difference. A trial with a longer duration would also change the opportunity for sediment to move. The table does not establish that doubling flow always doubles erosion; it describes one invented comparison with one soil setup. Do not present these numbers as observations from a DC stream or use a model tray to predict damage at a real location.
Plan the next activity
- Identify the changed variable, measured outcome, and conditions kept the same.
- Compare all three trials at each setting rather than selecting only a convenient pair.
- Write a claim limited to the model’s conditions and describe a follow-up that would test its reliability.
Plan more trials at the same settings, checking soil preparation and sediment collection. Alternatively, hold water flow steady and change slope in a new investigation. Keep these questions separate so each comparison can support a clear explanation. Ask whether a photograph of muddy runoff alone tells how much sediment moved; it can motivate a question but needs observations or measurements to support that amount. Use a teacher-managed procedure for a real classroom model and report its actual results.
Science Lessons and Related Quizzes
Read a short lesson, work through its example, and try a related science-area quiz. These are common Grade 4 ideas; use the state standards below to choose what matches your class.
Physical Science
Life Science
District of Columbia Science by Grade
Browse DC science pages by grade.
Start With a Practice Test
These independently published practice sets open on this page. They may predate the spring 2027 DC CAPE Next design; check their directions alongside current OSSE guidance. Use their feedback alongside classroom work; they are not official DC assessments or a certified match to the full course.
District of Columbia Grade 4 Science Practice Test 1
An independently published practice set across a range of science topics.
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District of Columbia Grade 4 Science Practice Test 2
Fresh questions and new phenomena to build accuracy.
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District of Columbia Grade 4 Science Practice Test 3
New problems that push reading of data, models, and evidence.
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District of Columbia Grade 4 Science Practice Test 4
Another independently published practice set with a built-in timer.
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District of Columbia Grade 4 Science Practice Test 5
A brand-new mixed set to test how ready you are.
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District of Columbia Grade 4 Science Practice Test 6
Use another independent practice set and examine its feedback alongside classroom work.
Start test 6 →
Grade 4 Science Skill Quizzes
Choose a science-area quiz after studying its related lesson. These independent resources may include topics beyond this grade’s expectations; use the adopted NGSS and the school’s course plan to select suitable practice.
Matter and Its Properties
A quick 10-question check on matter and its properties, with feedback to review after answering.
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Forces and Motion
A quick 10-question check on forces and motion, with feedback to review after answering.
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Energy
A quick 10-question check on energy, with feedback to review after answering.
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Waves and Information
A quick 10-question check on waves and information, with feedback to review after answering.
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Cells, Structures and Life Processes
A quick 10-question check on cells, structures and life processes, with feedback to review after answering.
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Ecosystems and Heredity
A quick 10-question check on ecosystems and heredity, with feedback to review after answering.
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Evolution, Fossils and Adaptation
A quick 10-question check on evolution, fossils and adaptation, with feedback to review after answering.
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Earth and Space Systems
A quick 10-question check on earth and space systems, with feedback to review after answering.
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Earth, Human Activity and Engineering
A quick 10-question check on earth, human activity and engineering, with feedback to review after answering.
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Grade 4 Science Study Tools
A few minutes of review between practice tests. Both open right here.
Grade 4 Science Flashcards
Review terms in this independently published deck. Use the classroom’s vocabulary and reading level to decide which entries need practice.
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Grade 4 Science Quick Review
Use this concise review alongside observations, lessons, and the complete NGSS document. Add course topics that need further explanation.
Open quick review →
District of Columbia Grade 4 Science Topics
Use these brief labels as a study navigator, not as full standards or a certified alignment map. Use the official Grade 4 expectations to check which details and boundaries apply. Read the linked NGSS reference document for official requirements.
Energy
- Speed and Energy
- Energy Transfer by Sound, Light, Heat, and Currents
- Energy Changes in Collisions
- Designing Energy-Converting Devices
- Natural Resources and Environmental Effects
Waves: Waves and Information
- Wave Patterns and Movement
- Patterns for Transferring Information
Structure, Function, and Information Processing
- Reflected Light and Vision
- Organism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
Earth's Systems: Processes that Shape the Earth
- Earth Materials, Rocks, Fossils, and Landforms
- Patterns in Earth's Features
- Reducing Impacts of Natural Hazards
Engineering design: check grade-band expectations
- Engineering Design and Solution Evaluation
- Fair Tests and Design Improvements
DC Grade 4 references for this investigation
These selected references support the activity’s focus. Read the complete NGSS expectations, examples, and boundaries through the state directory. Check the school’s course plan for the rest of the year’s topics.
| Reference | Selected focus | Official document |
|---|---|---|
| 4-ESS2-1 | Use observations or measurements of weathering or erosion | Read page 35 |
District of Columbia Grade 4: Math and English Too
Science is part of the DC grade 4 subject collection. Use the related subject pages to organize cross-subject study.
District of Columbia Grade 4 Math
Six full practice tests, printable worksheets, step-by-step lessons, and every District of Columbia grade 4 math standard.
Open the math center →District of Columbia Grade 4 English
Reading, writing, and language standards for District of Columbia grade 4, organized with activities and references with practice for each one.
Open the English center →DC Grade 4 Science: useful planning questions
How does Grade 4 connect to DC’s science assessment?
Grade 4 is outside DC’s NGSS summative assessment grades. DC CAPE Next begins in spring 2027 and lists science assessments in Grades 5, 8, and high-school biology. OSSE says the educational standards have not changed. Resources here are independently published practice, not official state assessments or predictions of a state score. Read the official guidance.
Does this comparison measure weathering or erosion?
It measures sediment carried out of a tray, so it concerns erosion. It does not measure rock breaking into smaller pieces, which would concern weathering.
Where should I check the complete science requirements?
Start with the DC science standards directory and the official NGSS references. Read the Grade 4 expectations and their boundaries alongside the school’s curriculum plan. The selected investigation and resources here do not certify complete course coverage. Read the official guidance.
State sources checked October 5, 2026.
Grade 4 Science in Other States
Standards, practice tests, and quizzes for grade 4 science in every state and Washington, D.C.
Start With One Practice Test
Grade 4 is a building year for science in District of Columbia. Take a timed test, see which area is thinnest, and fix that one before it compounds.
Start a practice testA USEFUL NEXT STEP
District of Columbia Grade 4 Science: study questions
How does Grade 4 connect to DC’s science assessment?
Grade 4 is outside DC’s NGSS summative assessment grades. DC CAPE Next begins in spring 2027 and lists science assessments in Grades 5, 8, and high-school biology. OSSE says the educational standards have not changed. Resources here are independently published practice, not official state assessments or predictions of a state score.
Official source ↗Does this comparison measure weathering or erosion?
It measures sediment carried out of a tray, so it concerns erosion. It does not measure rock breaking into smaller pieces, which would concern weathering.
Where should I check the complete science requirements?
Start with the DC science standards directory and the official NGSS references. Read the Grade 4 expectations and their boundaries alongside the school’s curriculum plan. The selected investigation and resources here do not certify complete course coverage.
Official source ↗Resources from Effortless Math · Editorial standards · Test details checked October 5, 2026