Texas TEKS 4.3

4.3 is a TEKS knowledge and skills statement. These are the student expectations under it.

• 4.3.A

  develop explanations and propose solutions supported by data and models

• 4.3.B

  communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats

• 4.3.C

  listen actively to others' explanations to identify relevant evidence and engage respectfully in scientific discussion.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students use observations, measurements, data tables, graphs, or models to explain results and recommend a solution. They share their thinking clearly, work with classmates, and respond to evidence offered by others.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student makes a clear claim, points to specific data or model features, and explains how the evidence supports the claim. The student can present the idea in writing, speech, or a diagram and accurately restate a classmate’s evidence.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may give an opinion or repeat a result without connecting it to evidence. They may cite unrelated numbers, treat a model as an exact copy, or dismiss another explanation without listening to its supporting evidence.

04

How to Assess It

Give students a table showing how many pennies three paper bridges held. Ask them to choose the strongest design, cite one result, explain their choice, and propose one improvement.

1. 01

   Build paper bridges, test each with pennies, record the results, then sketch one change and defend it with the data.

2. 02

   Discuss which cup kept water coldest using a shared temperature table, and require each speaker to cite one number.

3. 03

   Play Evidence Match: teams pair claim cards with data or model cards, then explain why each match supports the claim.

4. 04

   Audit one day of classroom trash, graph the items, and propose a bin placement based on the graph.

• 1.3

  The 1st Grade version of this standard.

• 5.3

  The 5th Grade version of this standard.

• K.3

  The Kindergarten version of this standard.

• 3.3

  The 3rd Grade version of this standard.