THe case of the disappearing croc

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FEBRUARY 2010 ISSN 1010-144x SEPT OCT NOV/DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY dear teacher: Downloadable skills pages, lesson plans, and issue-related Web links are all available at the click of a mouse at www.

As always, please share any comments or suggestions by using the e-mail address below. Elizabeth Carney, Editor e-mail: superscience@scholastic.

1 FEBRUARY 2010 ISSN x SEPT OCT NOV/DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY dear teacher: Downloadable skills pages, lesson plans, and issue-related Web links are all available at the click of a mouse at We ll be updating the site with every new issue. We hope that you will enjoy using both SuperScience magazine and its new companion Web site. As always, please share any comments or suggestions by using the address below. Elizabeth Carney, Editor superscience@scholastic.com Third-grade teacher Kathy Meier tested this month s experiments. SKILLS & STANDARDS page article Curriculum skills National Standards 4 Science Mystery: The Case of the Disappearing Croc 6 Feature: Open Wide! 10 Hands-0n: Shell Care 11 Careers: Engineer 12 Feature: Monumental Task 15 Hands-0n: Sugar Pyramid Scientific Inquiry: manipulating variables; observing; gathering data; drawing conclusions; interpreting results Physical Science: insulation; heat Language Arts: reading fictional passages Life Science: characteristics of organisms; adaptations; interaction of living things Language Arts: reading comprehension Scientific Inquiry: observing; using models; gathering data; drawing conclusions; interpreting results Life Science: characteristics of organisms; health and hygiene Earth Science: environmental awareness Physical Science: technology; chemistry Language Arts: reading comprehension Earth Science: weathering; erosion; processes that shape the Earth Physical Science: technology Language Arts: reading comprehension Scientific Inquiry: manipulating variables; using models; observing; gathering data; drawing conclusions; interpreting results Earth Science: structure of the Earth system Grades K-4: Properties of objects and materials Grades 5-8: Abilities necessary to do Grades K-4: Characteristics of organisms Grades 5-8: Structure and function in living systems Grades K-4: Abilities necessary to do Grades 5-8: Abilities necessary to do Grades K-4: Science as a human endeavor Grades 5-8: Science and technology in society Grades K-4: Properties of Earth materials Grades 5-8: Structure of the Earth system Grades K-4: Abilities necessary to do Grades 5-8: Abilities necessary to do A SUPPLEMENT TO SUPERSCIENCE SuperScience Teacher s Edition FEBRUARY 2010 T1

2 PAGE 4 ESTIMATED TIME: 20 minutes physical science THe case of the disappearing croc Read a fictional science mystery to learn about insulation. Then perform the experiment and use deductive reasoning to solve the mystery. Crocodiles live in warm, moist, tropical regions. The temperature of a crocodile egg determines the gender of the newborn reptile. Females tend to develop at cooler temperatures, males at warmer temperatures. Why do reptiles, such as snakes and crocodiles, especially need heat? (Answer: Reptiles are coldblooded animals, which means they rely upon the air temperature to heat their bodies.) Conclusion The insulated tank, or mug wrapped in newspaper, keeps water the warmest. The control mug should allow the most heat to escape. Rick can expect to find the missing crocodiles in the zoo s insulated tank. Since Joe had prior knowledge that cold-blooded crocodiles would require this warmer environment, he s the culprit. What might you do to keep a mug of hot cocoa from cooling too quickly? (Answers could include covering the mug or wrapping it in layers of cloth or paper.) RESOURCE /ReptilesAmphibians/ForKids/default.cfm For more on reptiles, visit this Web site by the Smithsonian National Zoo. PAGE 6 Life Science open wide! Learn what scientists can tell about an animal s life history just by examining its teeth. Teeth are often the first, or sometimes the only, body part found at archaeological sites, since they are the hardest part of the body and the most resistant to wear. In fact, when a fossil hunter first discovered Tyrannosaurus rex, the first part found was a single tooth. Mammalian teeth come in four different types: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Mammals can have different combinations of these teeth and use them for a wide variety of tasks. Elephants have the largest teeth in the world. An elephant tusk is actually a modified incisor. The heaviest on record tipped the scales at 102 kilograms (225 pounds). Why do you think animal teeth come in such a wide variety of shapes and sizes? (Answer: Different teeth are needed for consuming different types of food.) Some herbivores, like rabbits, have long front teeth that never stop growing. Rabbits and other rodents chew hard food like twigs, which wear down teeth easily. Why are continually growing teeth a useful adaptation for a rabbit? (Answer: If a rabbit s teeth stopped growing, they would quickly be worn down because of the animal s tough, fibrous diet. Without teeth, the animal would starve.) RESOURCEs /colgate/print.htm Learn all about teeth with Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus. digestion/pregastric/dentalanat.html Learn more about various animals dental anatomy here. POSTAL INFORMATION: SCHOLASTIC SUPERSCIENCE MAGAZINE (ISSN x; in Canada, 2-c no ) is published 8 times during the school year: monthly September, October, January, February, March, April, May, bimonthly November/December by Scholastic Corp., P.O. Box 3710, 2931 East McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO Periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, MO and at additional offices. PUBLISHING INFORMATION: U.S. prices: $6.75 each per year for 10 or more subscriptions to the same address. 1-9 subscriptions, each: $29.95 student, $29.95 Teacher s Edition, per school year. Single copy: $5.50 student, $6.50 teacher. To order SuperScience, call SCHOLASTIC Communications relating to subscriptions should be addressed to SCHOLASTIC SUPERSCIENCE MAGAZINE, P.O. Box 3710, 2931 East McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO or call toll-free: SCHOLASTIC; or go online to www. scholastic.com/custsupport. Communications relating to editorial matters should be addressed to Elizabeth Carney, SCHOLASTIC SUPERSCIENCE MAGAZINE, 557 Broadway, New York, NY address: superscience@scholastic. com. Canadian address: Scholastic Canada Ltd., 175 Hillmount R, Markham, ON L6C 1Z7. Copyright 2010 by Scholastic Corp. All Rights Reserved. Material in this issue may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or format without special permission from the publisher. To order SuperScience, call SCHOLASTIC PRINTED IN THE U.S. T2 SuperScience Teacher s Edition FEBRUARY 2010 Pull-out reproducibles

3 graph SKILL Name: Date: Tooth Tally Directions: Use the data in the chart to complete the bar graph. Then answer the questions below. Tooth Count Bird 0 Child 20 Adult 32 Dog 42 Crocodile 68 Number of Teeth Bird Child Adult Dog Crocodile Organism 1. Which of the organisms listed above has the most teeth? 2. True or false: Crocodiles have twice as many teeth as adults. 3. Scientists would not be able to find fossilized teeth for which animal? 4. True or false: A child has less than half as many teeth as a dog. 5. True or false: A child and adult together have more teeth than a crocodile. SuperScience Teacher s Edition FEBRUARY 2010 T3

4 SCIENCE SKILL Name: Date: The Scientific Method Directions: The scientific method is a step-by-step approach to conducting a scientific study. Most scientists follow these steps when they investigate a problem. Reread the newsblast Pointy Navigating, on page 3. Then use the guide below to identify how the butterfly scientists followed the scientific method. 1. Make an observation. 2. Propose a research question. 3. State a hypothesis an educated guess that answers the research question. 4. Design an experiment. Experiments have a variable (a characteristic that changes) Steps of the Scientific Method Monarch Butterfly Study and a control (a characteristic that doesn t change). 5. Gather and interpret data. 6. Make a conclusion, or a summary of the results. 1. What do people observe monarch butterflies doing every spring? _ 2. What research question did scientists at the University of Massachusetts want to solve? 3. What did the scientists believe could control butterflies sense of direction? In other words, what was their hypothesis? 4. The scientists designed an experiment involving painting the insects antennas. What was the variable in the experiment? 5. Scientists found that butterflies with antennas painted black got lost. Those with antennas painted clear kept their sense of direction. What was the scientists conclusion? T4 SuperScience Teacher s Edition FEBRUARY 2010

5 Reading Comprehension Name: Short answer Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Date: PAGES 2-3: NEWSBLASTS 1. How do the X1 s shock absorbers reduce the amount of force a player experiences during a hit? 2. What are two possible reasons male free-tailed bats sing love songs? 3. What two questions about rogue waves are scientists looking to answer with a new computer program? MATCHINg PAGES 6-9: OPEN WIDE! Directions: Match the word(s) in the left column with its correct definition in the right column. 1. Fossil a. The hard white substance covering the outer layer of teeth. 2. Enamel b. An animal that eats mostly plant matter, such as leaves or seeds. 3. Omnivore 4. Herbivore false Statement fix-it Be a Quiz Whiz c. An animal that eats all kinds of food, both plants and other animals. d. The hardened remains or traces of a living thing that died long ago. PAGES 12-14: MONUMENTAL TASK Directions: Circle the incorrect word(s) or phrase in each sentence. Write the correct words below it. 1. Sandstone holds up better against weathering than granite. 2. A monument s number one enemy in its battle against wear and tear is tourism. 3. CyArk scanners use tape measures to create a 3-D map of a site. 4. By taking one set of measurements, experts can see how monuments are changing and where to plan repairs. PULl-OUT REPRODUCIBLE SKILLS PAGES SuperScience Teacher s Edition FEBRUARY 2010 T5

6 READING COMPREHENSION Name: Date: No-Sweat Bubble Test Directions: Read each question below, then use the article Open Wide! (pp. 6-9) to determine the best answer. Completely fill in the bubble next to the best answer. 1. Why do teeth last longer than other body parts? A They re filled with tiny holes. B They re not living tissue. C They re protected by a hard covering called enamel. D all of the above 2. What can dental remains tell a scientist about an animal? A its age B its diet C its habitat D all of the above 3. What are a herbivore s teeth shaped for doing? A cutting stems and leaves and mashing them up B catching and killing animals C cracking bones D tearing through muscle 4. When an animal chews its food, marks on the teeth called develop. A wear patterns B growth rings C cavities D tartar 5. Which of the following is NOT recommended for good dental health? A brushing teeth at least twice a day B flossing teeth at least once a day C using a very old toothbrush D avoiding soda 6. A crocodile is a carnivore. What do you expect its teeth to look like? A square and flat B sharp and pointy C a mix of sharp and flat teeth D none of the above 7. Every animal species has a unique set of teeth that can vary by which characteristics? A size B shape C number D all of the above T6 SuperScience Teacher s Edition FEBRUARY 2010

7 PAGE 11 physical Science PAGE 12 Earth Science Cool Science JObs: Engineer Learn about what an engineer does. Understanding what engineers do can be confusing because the field is so diverse. Most of the time, engineers use science and math to create things. They often apply the knowledge learned in the laboratory in practical ways that benefit a large group of people. For example, a chemist performs experiments with the goal of developing a new chemical substance. Then a chemical engineer takes the chemist s work and figures out how to manufacture the new substance on a large scale. Engineers can work in many disciplines, including electricity, computers, mechanics, architecture, environmental solutions, and building civil projects like roadways, dams, and bridges. Most engineers invent, design, and build things. Can you think of a problem that needs to be addressed? What could you build to help solve it? (Answers will vary.) Jamesia Hobbs is working on a trash-to-cash project in which she converts old tires into new products. What are some other objects that can be recycled or repurposed into new goods? (Answers will vary but could include computers, cell phones, paper goods, batteries, and furniture.) RESOURCEs Visit this site to learn more about what engineers do. Engineering-related activity sheets are available here. Monumental Task Learn how a company is making digital copies of the world s famous monuments so that wear from erosion, tourism, and other forces can be tracked. Many ancient peoples built structures that were meant to last. The Pyramids of Giza have stood in the desert outside Cairo, Egypt, for more than 4,000 years. But over time, rain, sand, and other elements pelt the stone that many structures are made of. This process, called weathering, is what causes the wearing down of structures over time. Although Mount Rushmore is a popular tourist attraction, some people resent that the monument was created at all. The carving lies on land that the United States government had once promised to let Native Americans keep. Some tribes consider the area sacred ground. You may have heard of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but you may have a hard time seeing most of them. Only one, the Great Pyramid of Giza, still stands. Why might this be so? (Possible answers: Weathering, erosion, war, or natural disaster have caused most of the ancient wonders to be destroyed.) If you could choose which monument CyArk digitally preserves next, which would you pick? Why do you think this monument deserves immediate consideration? (Answers will vary.) RESOURCEs Take a virtual tour of Mesa Grande, Pompeii, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a Mayan pyramid, and other famous sites. Learn about the world s most endangered sites. SuperScience Teacher s Edition FEBRUARY 2010 T7

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Renew for ! Visit the SuperScience Web site! Log on to our new and improved Web site at. MARCH 2008 ISSN x MARCH 2008 ISSN 1010-144x SEPT OCT NOV/DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY Visit the SuperScience Web site! Log on to our new and improved Web site at www.scholastic.com/superscience Now even more material Reproducible