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 SupportIncludes 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 ConversionLife 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 EcosystemsEarth 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