In this unit, Making Sense of Science, Grade 4 children have another opportunity to connect with science literacy. Students in Grade 4 focus on natural laws, organizing numerical data, accuracy and precision, and the importance of knowing science and society. Students examine the interface of science with all aspects of human learning, such as sports, visualizing data, environmental concerns, and scale. This unit helps students understand that science is a very human endeavor.

The Making Sense of Science unit draws upon the science content presented in the Grade 4 Core Knowledge unit offerings. There is a focus on understanding the uses of background knowledge and new information for decision-making. Problem-solving students will become familiar with such concepts as:

• Where do the laws of nature apply?
• What is a testable question?
• How does a scientist use charts and graphs?
• What makes a good science report?
• Which changes are fast, and which are slow?
• How are science and technology related?

These important concepts are tied to other aspects of human knowledge and endeavors such as communicating in working in teams, business planning and development, models used for communicating, artistic visualizing, mathematics, and graphing as a way of communicating. Core Knowledge Foundation is committed to a broad view of the term science literacy and to curricula that fosters science literacy in students incrementally over time.