Final Digital Readiness Lesson - Grade 4 Relationships and Algorithms

Sep 3, 2026

Grade 4 digital readiness lesson focused on constructing algorithms and using control structures such as loops, conditionals, and event handlers to solve real problems collaboratively, with or without a computing device. Students engage through warm-up questioning about purposeful relationships, then apply coding concepts to design, test, and improve sequences that hold a book for ten seconds. The unit integrates science investigations connecting potential and kinetic energy, while developing reading and analytical skills to interpret, describe, and restructure text and event ideas.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages33

Reading Time12 min

AccessFree to download

Lesson Summary

Lesson Performance Expectations

Engage (Warm Up) — Relationships and QFT

Exploring — code.org Activity

| Created By: Anna McDonald | Topic: Using Algorithms to study the relationship of potential and kinetic energy | Grade Level: 4 | | --- | --- | --- | | Digital Readiness Standards:
4. CCP.4 Construct an algorithm to solve a problem that includes control structures such as loops, event handlers, and conditionals collaboratively with or without a computing device. | | | | Tennessee Academic Standards for Science Connection | | | | Disciplinary Core Idea(s):
• Physical Sciences
• Engineering, Technology, & Applications of Science | Science & Engineering Practice(s):
• Planning and carrying out controlled investigations
• Analyzing and interpreting data.
• Planning and carrying out
controlled investigations | Cross Cutting Concept(s):
• Energy and Matter
• Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
• Systems and System Models | | ELA Standards:
4.RI.CS.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.
4.RI.CS.5 Describe the overall structure of events, ideas, and concepts of information in a text or part of a text. | | | | | | | --- | --- | | Math Standards:
4.MD.1 Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. Within a single system of measurement, express measurements in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Record measurement equivalents in a two-column table
4.MD.3 Apply the area and perimeter formulas for rectangles in real world and mathematical problems. | | | Additional Standards (Social Studies, Art, Physical Education): | | | Lesson Summary:
The goal of this unit is for students to make connections to coding and algorithms in every aspect of their learning. Students will use blocks of code and knowledge of algorithms to construct structures, scientific lab experiments, and manipulate words, phrases, and text structures in articles to reach this goal. By the end of this unit, students will have used multiple skills and standards throughout all disciplines listed above to make connections about this relationship and complete a culminating task. | Multi-Dimensional/Driving Question:
Overarching Theme: Relationships
Question: How are relationships purposeful? Where do you see relationships in your learning and in your life? | | Lesson Performance Expectations
􀀀 Design and test an algorithm or sequence of events that will hold a book for ten seconds. (see code.org lesson below)
􀀀 Carry out a science experiment using an algorithm as procedures to understand the relationship between potential and kinetic energy.
􀀀 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text to analyze and describe the overall structure/algorithm of the article. Manipulate the algorithm of the text so that it makes sense structurally.
􀀀 Construct an algorithm to build a Rube Goldberg and explain where students see relationships, and potential and kinetic energy. Include in the algorithm ofthe Rube Goldberg control structures such as a loop without a computing device. | | --- | | Engage (Warm Up)– Relationships and QFT
Purpose: The goal of this lesson is to engage students in thinking about relationships. This lesson should rise student interest and get them asking questions. To get students thinking about structures and energy, the teacher will show them a video of a mini rollercoaster. The teacher will also show them the three generalizations about relationships so that students are exploring all aspects of this theme. Students should be the main drivers in this lesson.
Objective:
Get students interested in the unit. Get students thinking about relationships and where they see this in the real world.
Materials:
STEAM notebook
Pencil
Smart Board – with video link ready
Anchor Charts with generalizations written on them before hand | | | | --- | | Exploring –

FAQs

What is the central theme of this Grade 4 unit?

The overarching theme is relationships, focusing on how relationships are purposeful in learning and daily life.

What algorithm-based performance task do students complete?

Students design and test an algorithm or sequence of events that will hold a book for ten seconds, using everyday materials and an engineering process.

How does the lesson connect algorithms to science?

Students carry out a science experiment using algorithms as procedures to understand the relationship between potential and kinetic energy.

Sep 3, 2026

Upload by Olivia Brown