Texas TEKS 4.5.E

Science4th GradeRecurring themes and concepts

The Standard

investigate how energy flows and matter cycles through systems and how matter is conserved

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students trace energy as it moves through a system, such as from sunlight to plants and animals. They track matter as it moves, changes form, and remains present within a closed system.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students use labeled arrows to show that energy flows in one direction while matter can cycle. They can account for matter before and after a change, including water that evaporates or substances that dissolve.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think energy cycles in the same way as matter. They may also think matter disappears when it evaporates, dissolves, decomposes, or changes into a gas.
How to Assess It: Show a sealed terrarium with sunlight entering. Ask students to draw energy and matter arrows, then explain why the amount of matter stays the same.

Lesson moves

Weigh a sealed bag containing soil and water, warm it under a lamp, and weigh it again after water condenses.
Write a response comparing what happens to sunlight energy and water matter inside a closed terrarium.
Sort picture cards showing sunlight, plants, animals, water, and soil, then race to build accurate energy-flow and matter-cycle diagrams.
Trace energy and matter through a cafeteria meal, beginning with sunlight and crops and ending with body use, waste, and compost.

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