The mind-building lessons and activities in this 176-page book teach topics and skills drawn from state and national science standards to prepare students for more advanced science courses and new assessments that measure reasoning, reading comprehension, and writing in science.

Students read lessons that include a variety of charts, tables, and graphs. Then they answer critical thinking questions to improve their understanding of the science concepts and develop their reading comprehension, inferential and deductive thinking skills. Students can't just scan the story for answers—they must carefully analyze and synthesize the information from the text and the charts, tables, and graphs to explain and support their answers.

Many questions in this book ask students to use complete sentences to explain their thinking. The ability to express their thoughts—supported by evidence—in writing, is not only important in science assessment, it is essential when communicating with other people in school and work. It also promotes better understanding of the concepts being studied. The questions in Science Detective® A1 are modeled after questions found on science assessments but require more critical thinking. There is a growing trend to evaluate responses to open-ended questions in the context of logical reasoning, and many science students score poorly on these test items. The carefully designed questions in this book will not only develop thinking, reading, and writing skills, but will also familiarize your students with questions found on contemporary science assessments.

Teaching Support
Includes teacher and student introductions, a chart of topics and key ideas to help select activities, and detailed answers.

Concepts covered in Science Detective® A1 include:

Physical Science:
Measuring Matter: Mass, Volume, and Density
Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
Physical and Chemical Changes in Matter
Atoms, Elements, and Compounds
Chemicals: Helpful and Harmful
Kinetic and Potential Energy
Force and Motion
Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Lever, Machines
and Work
Simple Machines: Wheel-and-Axle
and Pulley
Thermal Energy
Sound and Light Energy
Static Electricity
Circuits
Electromagnets
Electric Energy
Energy Sources and Conversion

Life Science:
Cells
Cell Parts and Functions
Reproduction and Growth of Cells
Genetics
DNA
Uses of Genetics
Skeletal and Muscular Systems
Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
Nervous System
Digestive System
Reproductive System
Classification of Organisms
Function of Plant Parts
Reproduction in Plants
Invertebrates
Vertebrates
Earth's Biomes
Ecosystems

Earth Science:
Plate Tectonics: Mountains, Volcanoes,
and Earthquakes
Rock Cycle, Erosion, and Deposition
Properties of Rocks and Minerals
Geological Time
Natural Resources
Ocean Exploration Ocean Resources
Earth, Moon, and Sun
Weather: Measurement, Causes,
and Changes
Classification of the Sun and Other Stars
Inner and Outer Solar System Recommended age 10-12 years