Science Kindergarten to Grade 6 Curriculum

Grade 3 Grade 4

The water cycle is a process in The water on Earth moves Describe and diagram the changes
which water on Earth moves continuously in a cycle. of state of water using the water
continuously between bodies of cycle.
water, land, and the atmosphere.
Discuss ways to respect water in
In the water cycle, water changes local environments.
state from a liquid to a gas through
evaporation, forms clouds through Identify examples of changes in the
condensation, then falls back to state of water in local environments.
Earth in a liquid or solid state
(precipitation). Discuss the importance of safety
around bodies of water that have a
Water can change state from solid to surface of ice.
liquid and back again.
Discuss the importance of safety
Water can change state from liquid around bodies of water in different
to gas and back again. seasons.

In Alberta, the surfaces of many

bodies of water change from liquid in
the summer to solid in the winter.
A reversible change is a change that Changes to materials or substances Discuss examples of changes to
can be undone, such as melting or can be permanent or reversible, materials or substances that are
freezing. depending on the properties of the permanent and examples of
given materials or substances. changes to materials or substances
A permanent change is a change that are reversible.
that cannot be undone, such as
cooking an egg or baking a cake. Safely perform experiments on
various materials and substances
and classify changes as permanent
or reversible.

©2024 Government of Alberta | Alberta Education Final Curriculum: Kindergarten to Grade 3 implemented September 2023. Grades 4 to 6 are available for optional implementation in the 2023–2024 school Page 19
Science | March 2023 year.
 Science Kindergarten to Grade 6 Curriculum

Grade 3 Grade 4

Organizing Idea Energy: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy.

Guiding Question How can forces relate to changes in movement? How can forces affect objects from a distance?

Learning Outcome Students investigate and explain how forces affect the movement of objects. Students investigate how forces can act on objects without contact.

Knowledge Understanding Skills & Procedures Knowledge Understanding Skills & Procedures

A force is a push or pull on an object Forces can affect properties and Describe where forces may exist in Non-contact forces occur between Non-contact forces are invisible Describe how non-contact forces
resulting from an interaction with movement of objects in different everyday situations. objects that are not in direct contact. forces that can affect objects, affect objects.
another object. ways. materials, and substances.
Describe the strength and direction Gravity on Earth is a non-contact Demonstrate the effect of gravity on
An object that is not moving will stay of forces applied to objects. force that pulls objects toward the an object.
still until a force makes it move, and ground.
an object that is moving will keep Compare the strength of forces Conduct an investigation to
moving until a force stops it. applied to objects. Magnetic force is a non-contact demonstrate magnetic forces on
(Newton’s First Law) force that attracts or repels magnetic objects.
Predict how an object will be materials.
Contact forces occur between affected by different strengths and
objects that touch each other. directions of force. Magnetic materials contain iron,
cobalt, or nickel.
Contact forces include forces that Conduct investigations to
are demonstrate the effects of forces on The strength of non-contact forces
• applied by a person or an object the movement of objects. decreases as objects get farther
on another object (applied) apart.
• caused by objects, surfaces, or Conduct investigations to
substances sliding against each demonstrate how forces can change Non-contact forces can act through
other (friction) the shape or size of objects. some materials.
• applied by pulling on a string or
rope connected to an object
(tension)
• caused by a compressed or
stretched object or spring
(elastic or spring)

Ways to apply a contact force to an

object include
• stretching
• pulling
• squeezing
• pushing

The strength of forces applied to

objects can be described as
• strong
• weak
• large
• small

The direction of forces applied to

objects can be described as
• upward
• downward
• from the left
• from the right
• from both sides

©2024 Government of Alberta | Alberta Education Final Curriculum: Kindergarten to Grade 3 implemented September 2023. Grades 4 to 6 are available for optional implementation in the 2023–2024 school Page 20
Science | March 2023 year.
 Science Kindergarten to Grade 6 Curriculum

Grade 3 Grade 4

• from all directions

Changes to an object’s movement

when a force is applied include
• changing speed
• starting
• stopping
• changing direction
The effort needed to move objects is Simple machines can change the Explore how simple machines Magnetic force is strongest at the Magnets interact with each other Analyze interactions between the
reduced by simple machines, such strength and direction of forces. reduce the effort needed to move magnetic poles. and magnetic material. magnetic poles of magnets.
as objects.
• levers Magnets have two magnetic poles, Magnetize a material using a
• wheels Design a device that uses simple known as north and south. magnet.
• inclined planes machines.
Opposite magnetic poles attract
Many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Safely work with tools, materials, each other and like magnetic poles
designed, tested, and continue to and equipment. repel each other.
use simple machines, such as
• an antler wedge Describe the purpose of simple Both magnetic poles attract
• a paddle machines used by local First magnetic material.
• Inuit scraping tools; e.g., ulu Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
Some materials can become
magnetized by interacting with a
magnet.

©2024 Government of Alberta | Alberta Education Final Curriculum: Kindergarten to Grade 3 implemented September 2023. Grades 4 to 6 are available for optional implementation in the 2023–2024 school Page 21
Science | March 2023 year.