Grade 4 Video Lessons

The lesson explores whether pets can understand human language, highlighting that while pets may not comprehend every word, they can respond to specific commands and cues. Through examples like Chaser, a dog that learned over 1,000 words, and the importance of tone and body language, the lesson emphasizes that communication with pets involves a combination of verbal language, vocal tone, and physical gestures. Ultimately, understanding these forms of communication can enhance our relationships with our pets and reveal their own ways of expressing feelings.

In this lesson, students are introduced to the inspiring story of Jane Addams, a pioneer in social reform who dedicated her life to helping those in need. After witnessing poverty during her travels, she established Hull House in Chicago, a community center that provided essential services and activities for the local population. Jane's legacy teaches us the importance of kindness, community, and the impact one person can have on the world.

In the lesson "Discovering the World of Chess," students are introduced to the game of chess through a story about Raja and his vizier, who explain the game's strategic importance and its historical roots. The lesson covers the basics of chess, including the chessboard, the different pieces, and their movements, while emphasizing the blend of art and sport that chess embodies. Students are encouraged to explore further and join a chess class at Kids Academy to enhance their understanding and skills in this timeless game.

In this lesson, Coach Rob introduces young learners to the concept of "checkmate in one" in chess, explaining that the objective is to trap the opponent's king so it cannot escape. Through various examples, he demonstrates how to identify winning moves by attacking the king while ensuring it has no escape routes or means of defense, emphasizing the importance of teamwork among pieces to create a "mating net." The lesson encourages practice and strategic thinking to help players improve their chess skills.

In this lesson, students engage in an unplugged activity focused on building a tall and sturdy structure, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and learning from mistakes. They are encouraged to embrace challenges and understand that setbacks are a natural part of the creative process, ultimately leading to success and enjoyment in their journey of building. The key takeaway is to keep trying and learn from each attempt, as persistence often leads to amazing results.

In the lesson "Unplugged: The Big Event," students learn about events and how they control programs through simple actions like clicking or pressing buttons, similar to playing a video game. By using a paper controller, they can visualize and understand how events make programs interactive and fun, encouraging creativity as they design their own buttons and actions. The lesson emphasizes the importance of events in making digital experiences engaging and encourages students to explore events in the programs they use daily.

In this lesson, students learn how to use the "stamp block" in Scratch to create a vibrant garden by making copies of a flower sprite. They begin by adding the pen extension, then make the flower follow the mouse pointer using a "forever" loop, and switch between different flower costumes to add variety. The lesson encourages creativity, inviting students to explore and create their own unique projects using the stamp block.

In this lesson, you will learn how to create a virtual town in Scratch by designing a main character, adding interactive backgrounds, and incorporating various locations and characters. You'll also discover how to enable movement and interaction using arrow keys and event blocks, allowing players to explore and engage with the town. By the end, you'll have a personalized virtual town to share and enjoy!

This lesson teaches you how to easily regrow green onions at home using the root ends after cooking. By placing the roots in water, positioning them in a sunny spot, and changing the water regularly, you can enjoy a continuous supply of fresh green onions for your meals. It's a fun and educational way to engage with gardening while enhancing your cooking!

This lesson provides a simple guide on how to clean shoelaces effectively. It outlines four easy steps: removing the shoelaces, soaking them in soapy water, scrubbing away dirt, and rinsing and drying them thoroughly. Keeping shoelaces clean not only enhances their appearance but also helps maintain the overall look of your shoes.

This lesson provides a straightforward guide on how to set an alarm on your iPhone using the Clock app. It outlines four simple steps: opening the Clock app, navigating to the Alarm section, adding a new alarm, and setting the desired time before saving it. Additionally, it shares a fun fact about the history of alarms, highlighting their evolution from traditional alarm clocks to modern smartphones.

In this lesson, students learn about the different types of data collection and recording methods through the context of a mini Olympics event. Data, defined as information that can be qualitative or quantitative, is gathered using surveys to collect participant information and through recording sheets to track event results. The lesson emphasizes the importance of careful question design in surveys and systematic recording during competitions to accurately capture and analyze data.

In this lesson, students explore the concepts of heat conductors and insulators through everyday kitchen materials. They learn that metals, like those used in pots and pans, are excellent heat conductors, allowing for efficient cooking, while materials like plastic and wood serve as insulators, keeping handles cool and safe to touch. An engaging experiment with different spoons demonstrates how heat transfer varies among materials, reinforcing these concepts in a fun and interactive way.

This lesson introduces invertebrates, the vast group of animals that lack backbones, highlighting their diversity and significance in ecosystems. It contrasts invertebrates with vertebrates, explaining their various types, such as sponges, jellyfish, worms, starfish, mollusks, and arthropods, while emphasizing the crucial roles invertebrates play in pollination, decomposition, and serving as a food source for other animals. The lesson encourages further exploration and appreciation of these remarkable creatures.

In this lesson, we explored the concept of series circuits and how adding batteries affects the performance of devices like buzzers. By connecting batteries in series, we increase the voltage, resulting in a louder sound from the buzzer due to the greater electrical push. This hands-on approach encourages experimentation with circuits while emphasizing safety when working with electricity.

In this lesson, we explored the concept of speed, understanding that different objects move at varying rates and can be measured using distance and time. By applying the formula for speed—distance divided by time—we learned how to calculate speed in different units, such as kilometers per hour and meters per second. This knowledge empowers us to quantify movement, just like scientists do!

In this lesson, we explored the fascinating history of pizza, tracing its origins from ancient flatbreads topped with various ingredients to the creation of Margherita pizza in 1889 by Chef Raffaele Esposito for Queen Margherita of Italy. We learned how pizza evolved from a common food in Italy to a global favorite, especially in the United States, where it became widely popular after Italian immigrants introduced it in the late 19th century. Additionally, we discussed how pizza can be made healthier with the right ingredients, encouraging a balance between enjoyment and nutrition.

In this lesson on photosynthesis, we learn how plants create their own food using water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight. Through a process that occurs in chloroplasts, plants convert these elements into glucose for energy and oxygen, which is released back into the atmosphere, benefiting all living beings. Understanding photosynthesis highlights its crucial role in sustaining life on Earth and maintaining a healthy environment.

In this lesson, young learners explore the fascinating phases of the moon, which are the different shapes we observe in the night sky. The moon goes through eight distinct phases—New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent—over a lunar cycle of approximately 29.5 days, driven by sunlight reflecting off its surface. Students are encouraged to observe the moon and track its changes, enhancing their appreciation for this celestial body.

In "The Dinosaur Quiz Show," kids engage in a fun quiz to learn about various dinosaurs and the meanings of their names. Each question highlights a different dinosaur, providing interesting facts about their characteristics, such as the Brachiosaurus being called the "arm lizard" due to its long front legs, and the Triceratops meaning "three-horned face." The lesson encourages curiosity and exploration of the fascinating world of dinosaurs.

This lesson explains the intricate process of how baseballs are made, highlighting that each one is handcrafted from cowhide and features 108 double stitches, which are essential for maintaining shape and grip. It also notes the significant demand for baseballs in Major League Baseball, where teams use over 10,000 balls each season due to wear and tear. Additionally, the lesson emphasizes the functional role of the red stitches in aiding pitchers' techniques.

The lesson explores the origins and evolution of the Christmas tree tradition, which began in 16th-century Germany when people brought fir trees into their homes during winter. Initially decorated with fruits, nuts, and candles, these trees symbolized life and hope during the cold months, and today, they are adorned with electric lights and colorful ornaments, reflecting a joyful holiday spirit. The lesson highlights the transformation of this tradition over time and its significance in bringing joy during the festive season.

The lesson on the rabbit life cycle introduces students to fascinating facts about rabbits, including their physical characteristics, habitats, diet, and life stages. It covers the journey from newborn kits to adult rabbits, highlighting their rapid growth and reproductive habits. Additionally, the lesson emphasizes the cultural significance of rabbits and their role in ecosystems, encouraging appreciation and protection of these adorable creatures.

The lesson on snowflakes highlights their unique beauty and complexity, emphasizing that no two snowflakes are identical due to the intricate formation process involving up to 200 snow crystals. It recounts the pioneering work of Wilson A. Bentley, who captured the first photographs of snowflakes in the late 1800s, showcasing their diverse shapes and sizes. Ultimately, the lesson encourages appreciation for these natural wonders as unique masterpieces of nature.