New Brunswick · Grade 4
Science, Grade 4
New Brunswick’s Grade 4 science course, from The Earth's Crust to Uses of Earth Resources.
- Units
- 6
- Lessons
- 6
- Skills
- 16
- Provincial exam
- Yes
- Official curriculum
- gnb.ca
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, numbered by unit.
Unit 1 · 3 skills
The Earth's Crust
The Planet's Outer Layer
Composition of the crust
I can describe the Earth's crust and what it is made of.
Skill 1.1
Oceanic and continental crust
I can compare oceanic and continental crust.
Skill 1.2
Rock, tectonic, and water cycles
I can describe the rock, tectonic, and water cycles and how they change the crust.
Skill 1.3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- 1.1
- Outer most layer of the planet Composed of a variety of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks thickest (deepest) in mountain regions
- 1.2
- Two types of crust Oceanic (5-10 km) and continental (30-50 km)
- 1.3
- Cycles: Rock, tectonic, and water
Key ideas
The crust is the outermost, rocky layer of the planet.
It is made of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.
The crust is thickest (deepest) under mountain regions.
Compared to the whole Earth, the crust is a thin layer.
There are two types of crust: oceanic and continental.
Watch out for
- Thinking the crust is the same thickness everywhere - it is thicker under mountains.
- Thinking the whole Earth is solid rock like the crust - deeper layers are very different.
- Thinking the crust is thicker under the ocean - it is thinner there.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 3 skills
Changes in Earth Surface
Fast and Slow Changes
Rapid changes to the surface
I can describe rapid changes to Earth's surface and what causes them.
Skill 2.1
Slow changes: weathering, erosion, deposition
I can describe weathering, erosion, and deposition as slow changes to the land.
Skill 2.2
Forces that change Earth's surface
I can name forces that change Earth's surface and connect them to rapid and slow changes.
Skill 2.3
The official wording · 3 outcomes
- 2.1
- Rapid changes caused by Volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides
- 2.2
- Slow changes: weathering, erosion, and deposition from water, wind and ice
- 2.3
- Forces changing Earth’s surface
Key ideas
Some changes to the land happen quickly.
Volcanoes erupt, adding new rock and reshaping the land.
Earthquakes shake and crack the ground.
Landslides move rock and soil down a slope suddenly.
Weathering breaks rock into smaller pieces over time.
Watch out for
- Thinking all land changes are slow - some happen in seconds.
- Thinking earthquakes create new mountains instantly - they shake the ground; mountains build slowly.
- Mixing up weathering (breaking) with erosion (carrying away).
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 4 skills
Rocks
Reading the Rocks
Three types of rock
I can name the three types of rock and how each forms.
Skill 3.1
Fossils as evidence
I can explain how fossils give us evidence about the past.
Skill 3.2
How rocks form
I can describe the processes that form each type of rock.
Skill 3.3
Physical properties of rocks
I can describe a rock using its physical properties.
Skill 3.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- 3.1
- Types of rocks: Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic
- 3.2
- Fossils: Evidence of the past Ex. Organisms and environments
- 3.3
- Formation processes: Solidification of magma, Cooling of lava, Heat and pressure, Weathering, erosion, and deposition.
- 3.4
- Physical properties such as colour, weight, density, grain size, texture
Key ideas
Igneous rock forms when melted rock (magma or lava) cools and hardens.
Sedimentary rock forms when layers of sediment are pressed together over time.
Metamorphic rock forms when heat and pressure change an existing rock.
Every rock belongs to one of these three groups.
A fossil is the preserved trace or remains of a living thing from long ago.
Watch out for
- Thinking all rocks form the same way - the three types form differently.
- Thinking a rock can never change type - the rock cycle can change it over time.
- Thinking fossils are the actual living creatures - they are preserved traces or remains.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 2 skills
Minerals
Testing and Identifying Minerals
Scientific testing of minerals
I can name and use scientific tests to examine a mineral's properties.
Skill 4.1
Identifying minerals
I can combine several properties to identify a mineral.
Skill 4.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 4.1
- Crystal structure, Mohs hardness scale, lustre, magnetism, streak, and electrical conductivity
- 4.2
- Multiple properties of a given mineral can help to identify minerals: Ex. Streak, crystal structure, transparency/opaque, hardness, electrical conductor, magnetic
Key ideas
Hardness (the Mohs scale) is tested by seeing what can scratch what.
Streak is the colour of the powder a mineral leaves when rubbed on a tile.
Lustre is how shiny or dull a mineral looks.
Some minerals are magnetic or conduct electricity - useful tests too.
One test alone often is not enough to identify a mineral.
Watch out for
- Thinking a mineral's streak is always the same colour as the mineral - it can differ.
- Thinking harder minerals are always heavier - hardness and weight are different properties.
- Thinking colour alone identifies a mineral - many minerals share colours.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 5 · 2 skills
Soils
How Soil Forms and What It's Like
How soil forms
I can explain how soil forms over a long time.
Skill 5.1
Physical properties of soil
I can describe soil using its physical properties.
Skill 5.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 5.1
- Weathering and soil formation: Weathering (breakdown), erosion (transportation), and decomposition of plant and animal remains
- 5.2
- Physical properties: Texture, colour, porosity, capacity to hold water, ability to support growth of plants
Key ideas
Weathering breaks rock into tiny pieces.
Erosion moves those pieces and mixes them.
Decomposition of dead plants and animals adds nutrients to the mix.
Together, over a long time, these make soil.
Soil has texture - it can be sandy, silty, or clay-like.
Watch out for
- Thinking soil is only crushed rock - it also contains decomposed living matter.
- Thinking soil forms quickly - it forms very slowly.
- Thinking all soil is the same - soils differ in texture and water-holding.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 6 · 2 skills
Uses of Earth Resources
Using Earth's Resources Wisely
Why natural resources are useful
I can explain how the properties of a natural resource make it useful.
Skill 6.1
Renewable and non-renewable resources
I can tell renewable from non-renewable resources and explain the difference.
Skill 6.2
The official wording · 2 outcomes
- 6.1
- Characteristics of natural resources make them useful in products and materials
- 6.2
- Renewable (Ex. Sunlight, air, plants, animals, and water) versus non-renewable (Ex. Coal, oil, and natural gas)
Key ideas
A natural resource is something from the Earth that people use.
A resource's characteristics decide what it is good for.
Rocks, minerals, soils, and fossil fuels are all natural resources.
We choose materials based on their useful properties.
A renewable resource can be replaced in a short time (sunlight, air, water, plants, animals).
Watch out for
- Thinking every resource is useful for everything - properties decide the use.
- Thinking resources are unlimited - many are limited.
- Thinking renewable means unlimited - renewable resources can still be overused.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Plan the term
Pick your term and the days you study. Each unit gets its share of the weeks and comes back a week later for a review. The last two weeks go over the whole course.
The official curriculum
This page follows New Brunswick’s own curriculum for Science, Grade 4.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Science, Grade 4 one skill at a time. Each skill gets a short lesson, practice as you go and a check worth up to three stars. It remembers where you stopped.
Course Companion
Your year in one workbook
A fun way to keep Science, Grade 4 organized, get to know your child better and see early when they need a hand. Fill it in on a screen, or print it.
- Pages
- 33
- Fillable fields
- 1,289
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Science, Grade 4
What is Science, Grade 4?
New Brunswick’s Grade 4 science course: 6 units and 16 skills, from The Earth's Crust to Uses of Earth Resources.
What units are in Science, Grade 4?
1. The Earth's Crust, 2. Changes in Earth Surface, 3. Rocks, 4. Minerals, 5. Soils and 6. Uses of Earth Resources.
Is there a provincial exam for Science, Grade 4?
Yes. The Grade 4 Scientific Literacy Assessment is written in New Brunswick. Next sitting: May 10, 2027.
What comes after Science, Grade 4?
Science, Grade 5.
Can MapleMind help with Science, Grade 4?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Science, Grade 4, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.
Get ready for Science, Grade 4
Practise every skill of Science, Grade 4 in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
