superscience science in the news! -...

SEPT OCT NOV/DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY

This month’s experiments were tested by: Melvyn Rettenmund, 5th-Grade Teacher

Science in the News!As many of you are aware, the International

Astronomical Union has revised the definition of a planet, and consequently, Pluto has failed to make the cut. The former ninth planet in the solar system now joins two other celestial bodies—Ceres and Eris—in a new category called “dwarf planets.”

To help you and your students better understand why this conclusion was reached and learn more about what makes a planet, well, a planet, we’ve produced a special feature called “Solar System Shakeup,” which you’ll find on page 12 of the Student Edition. In addition, to keep you classroom materials as up-to-date as possible, the SuperScience staff is very pleased to provide you with a free poster—“A New Look at the Solar System.”

Best wishes, Nancy Honovich, Editor e-mail:[email protected]

NOV/DEC 2006ISSN 1010-144x

A SUPPLEMENT TO SUPERSCIENCE

For quizzes, experiments, and Web links, visit:www.scholastic.com/superscience

Turn each issue of SuperScience into hours of valuable instruction!

This month, you’ll find: 6 Lesson plans 2 Reproducible work sheets 18 Discussion questions & extensions 7 Print & Web resources 1 SuperScience Web site (www.scholastic.com/superscience)

34 ways to support your curriculum

Turn the page to start your lesson plan!

FLOTATION DEVICE — Students try to make an “insect” to float (see p. 15 of the Student Edition).

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4 Science Mystery:The Case of the Stained Sweater

Scientific Inquiry: manipulating variables; observing; gathering data; drawing conclusions; interpreting results.Physical Science: light, heat, electricity and magnetism.Language Arts: reading fictional passages.

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6 Feature:Ready, Set, Action!

Physical Science: motion; traction; potential energy; lift; buoyancy.Life Science: animal adaptations; animals and their environment.Language Arts: reading comprehension.

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10 Hands-0n Lab:Fun Floater

Scientific Inquiry: manipulating variables; observing; gathering data; drawing conclusions; interpreting results.Physical Science: properties of objects and materials.Life Science: characteristics of organisms.

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11 Cool Science Jobs:Special Effects

Physical Science: special effects.Language Arts: reading comprehension. ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

12 Feature:Solar System Shakeup!

Earth Science: Pluto; solar system; planets; orbits; dwarf planets.Physical Science: density.Language Arts: reading comprehension.

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15 Hands-0n Lab:Shape Shifters

Scientific Inquiry: manipulating variables; observing; gathering data; drawing conclusions; interpreting results.Earth Science: characteristics of celestial bodies. ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

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THE CASE OF THE STAINED SWEATER

For Grades K-4Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiryCharacteristics of organisms

For Grades 5-8Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiryDiversity and adaptations of organisms

INTEGRATE YOUR CURRICULUM!Language Arts—Reading fiction

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SCIENCE CONTENT STANDARDS

SuperScience Teacher’s Edition • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 T3

Science Mystery (Student Edition, pp. 4-5)

Surface area is the total area of an object’s surface. Water evaporates quicker from objects with larger surface areas than from those with smaller surface areas. Therefore, a damp object with a larger surface area will dry faster than one with a smaller surface area. Because Frank’s paper towel was rolled up, it had a smaller surface area than

• Dean’s paper towel, which was laid flat on the table. Therefore, Frank’s paper towel was still damp when the boys threw their towels near Mrs. Davis’s sweater. So whose towel stained the sweater? The answer is Frank’s.Quick Quiz

(Student Edition, p. 9) 1. D 2. A 3. C Mystery Photo (Student Edition, p. 16)A pinecone

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Hidden Words (Student Edition, p. 16)1. bush 2. traction 3. monsoons 4. sunny 5. mass Fun Fact: Uranus Freeze or Fry

(Reproducible, T7)1. Venus 2. Neptune 3. four 4. Uranus and Neptune BONUS: NoNo-Sweat Bubble Test

(Reproducible, T8)1. C 2. B 3. D 4. C 5. C 6. D 7. B

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Forest in South America. It covers about 4.1 million square kilometers (1.6 million square miles).

Discussion QuestionWhat happens to the amount of water in a glass if you leave it sitting out for a day? (Possible answers: There will be less water in the cup; the water evaporates.)

AFTER READINGDiscussion Questions

How does the shape of a plant’s leaves affect its ability to store water? (Possible answers: In dry environments, plants with small surface areas don’t lose water as fast as plants with bigger leaves; helps plants store water in dry environments.) Would a damp towel dry faster if it were laid flat or if it were bunched up in a ball? (Possible answer: It would dry faster if it were laid flat.)

RESOURCEwww.pbs.org/wnet/nature/plants This Nature Web site explains the ways in which plants have adapted to their environments.

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BEFORE READINGESTIMATED TIME: 2 hours

Set a Purpose Read a story to learn how water evaporates from the leaves of different plants.

Background• The process in which a liquid is transformed into

a gas is called evaporation. Evaporation happens quicker in hot weather and slower during cold weather. The world’s largest non-polar desert is the Sahara Desert of northern Africa. It has a surface area of 9 million square kilometers (3.5 million square miles). The world’s largest rain forest is the Amazon Rain

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ANSWERS

POSTAL INFORMATION: SCHOLASTIC SUPERSCIENCE® MAGAZINE (ISSN 1010-144x; in Canada, 2-c no. 1471120) 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 65102-3710. Periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, MO 65102 and at additional offices. PUBLISH-ING 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 1-800-SCHOLASTIC Communications relating to subscriptions should be addressed to SCHOLASTIC SUPERSCIENCE MAGAZINE, P.O. Box 3710, 2931 East McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65102-3710 or call toll-free: 1-800-SCHOLASTIC; or go online to www.scholastic.com/custsupport. Communications relating to editorial matters should be addressed to Patricia Janes, SCHOLASTIC SUPERSCIENCE MAGAZINE, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999. E-mail address: [email protected]. Canadian address: Scholastic Canada Ltd., 175 Hillmount R, Markham, ON L6C 1Z7. Copyright © 2006 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 1-800-SCHOLASTIC PRINTED IN THE U.S.

For Grades K-4Position and motion of objectsCharacteristics of organisms

For Grades 5-8Motion and forcesDiversity and adaptations of organisms

INTEGRATE YOUR CURRICULUM!Language Arts—Reading comprehension

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PAGE 6 READY, SET, ACTION!

BEFORE READINGSet a PurposeTo learn about how types of animals move.

BackgroundA cheetah may run fast, but it can only maintain its top speed for a few seconds. Therefore, when a cheetah hunts, it stalks its prey and gets as close to it as possible before sprinting toward it.Bush babies have very delicate ears. When leaping through thorny bushes, they fold their ears against their heads to protect them.The backswimmer swims upside down. It uses its oar-like legs to paddle through water.Wallace’s flying frog can glide up to 15 meters (50 feet) between trees. It’s feet work like suction cups, helping the frog grab onto a surface when it lands.

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Discussion QuestionsWhat are some animals that move differently than humans? (Possible answers: birds, dolphins, horses.) How do these animals move? (Possible answers: Birds fly; dolphins swim, and horses gallop on all fours.)What enables these animals to move in such ways? (Possible answers: Birds have wings; dolphins use their fins and tail to swim; horses have powerful legs.)


If a Wallace’s flying frog didn’t have the skin between its toes, what would happen? (Possible answers: It would fall to the ground and hurt itself; it wouldn’t be able to glide.) What kinds of inventions have humans made to help them float fromt he sky to the ground like flying frogs? (Possible answer: Parachutes, hang gliders.)

RESOURCESwww.kidshealth.org/kid/body/muscles_SW.html This Web page features in-depth, but kid-friendly, explanations of the parts of muscles and how muscles work.How Animals Move (Animal Survival) by Michael Barre (Gareth Stevens Publishing, 1998) explains how animals have different ways of moving around in their environments.

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BEFORE READINGESTIMATED TIME: 45 minutes

Discussion QuestionsCan you name some animals who dive and stay underwater for a long time by holding their breath?

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(Possible answers: turtles, whales, dolphins, sea lions.)What happens when you blow into a glass of water with a drinking straw? (Possible answers: you create bubbles, which float to the water’s surface.)

AFTER ExPERIMENTINGConclusions:

The insect sinks.The insect floats to the water’s surface.The backswimmer would most likely sink and drown.

RESOURCEExtremely Weird Insects by Sarah Lovett (Avalon Travel Publishing, 1996) provides well-illustrated descriptions of unusual insects.

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PAGE 10 FUN FLOATER

For Grades K-4 Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Characteristics of organisms

For Grades 5-8 Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Structure and function in living systems

INTEGRATE YOUR CURRICULUM!Life Skills—Following directions

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COOL SCIENCE JOBS

PAGE 12 SOLAR SYSTEM SHAKEUP!

For Grades K-4 Science and technology in local challengesScience as a human endeavor

For Grades 5-8 Science and technology in society Science as a human endeavor


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For Grades K-4Objects in the skySystems, order, and organization

For Grades 5-8Earth in the solar systemSystems, order, and organization


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BEFORE READINGSet a PurposeTo learn what a special effects expert does.

BackgroundSpecial effects have been used in films since 1895. Special effects experts can work with computers to make animation, create machines and models, and design makeup so actors and actresses to make them look like someone or something else.

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BEFORE READINGSet a PurposeTo learn about what constitutes a planet and why Pluto is not considered a planet anymore.

BackgroundPluto is approximately 2.7 billion miles from Earth at its closest point.It takes Pluto 248 years to orbit the Sun. The environment on Pluto is not hospitable for humans–it’s about -240°C (-400°F)! The coldest recorded temperature on Earth is -89.5°C (-129°F) in Antarctica in 1983.

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No spacecraft has yet visited Pluto. However, NASA launched a mission called New Horizons that will explore both Pluto and the Kuiper Belt region.

Discussion QuestionsWhat are the names of the eight planets? (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.)If people could travel to and live on Pluto, what do you think they would need to take with them? (Possible answers: oxygen, food, water, and shelter to keep warm.)


What makes an object a planet? (Possible answers: It must orbit the sun, it must be almost round or a sphere, and the path it takes to orbit the sun must be clear of other objects or celestial bodies.)Do you agree with scientists’ decision to call Pluto a dwarf planet? Why or why not?

RESOURCEwww.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/home/index.html A NASA web page for kids has tons of information about space, activities and games.

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Discussion QuestionsHave you ever watched a fictional movie that takes place in space? If so, how do you think filmmakers made the movie look like it was filmed in space? (Possible answers: they used special effects; they built models of spacecraft; they used a fake background.)Which kinds of movies use special effects the most? (Possible answers: action/adventure movies; science fiction movies.)

AFTER READINGDiscussion Question

How can you practice to become a special effects expert? (Possible answer: Practice drawing, painting, sculpting.)

RESOURCEMythbusters: Don’t Try This at Home by Mary Packard (Jossey-Bass, 2006) offers more information about the Mythbusters team and the weird science myths they have debunked.

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Discussion Question As clay dries it becomes very dense. Is it easier to mold •

the clay before it dries, when it is less dense, or after it dries, when it is more dense? (Possible answer: It is easier to mold the clay before it dries, when it is less dense.)

AFTER ExPERIMENTINGConclusions:

A and B got closer. C and D got farther apart.The construction paper changed shape the most. The more dense, the less pumpkin-like a planet is.

RESOURCEhttp://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/index.html This Web site features photos and descriptions of the planets and other celestial bodies.

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PAGE 15 SHAPE SHIFTERS

For Grades K-4 Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Objects in the sky

For Grades 5-8 Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Earth in the solar system

INTEGRATE YOUR CURRICULUM!Life Skills—Following directions

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SuperScience Vol. 18, No. 3 • November/December 2006 Editorial: Editor: Nancy Honovich • Intern: Andrea Thompson • Art: Art Director: Doreen Walsh, Designer: Justin Marshall • Production: Production Editor: Paul Scherr • Copy Chief: Renee Glaser • Copy Editor: Maria Mahon • Senior Photo Editor: Jose Pouso • Magazine Group: Senior VP: Greg Worrell • VP, Editor in Chief: Rebecca Bondor • Associate Editorial Director: Margaret Howlett • Executive Editor: Patricia Janes • Design Director: Judith Christ-Lafond • Executive Editorial Director, Copy Desk Craig Moskowitz • Executive Production Director: Barbara Schwartz • Publishing System Director: David Hendrickson • Director of Product Development: Kelly Schmitt • Executive Director of Photography: Steven Diamond • Library Manager: Kerry Prendergast • Reference Librarian: Karen Van Rossem • CIRCULATION & MARKETING: VP, Marketing: Jocelyn Forman • Marketing Manager: Leslie Derison • EDUCATION GROUP: President: Margery Mayer • VP, Finance & Operations: Michael Greenspani • Business Manager: Karen Lo • Director, Manufacturing & Distribution: Mimi Esguerra • Manufacturing Manager: Elyse Hart • CORPORATE: President, Chief Exec. Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Scholastic Inc.: Richard Robinson. • For Advertising/Custom Marketing inquiries call (212) 343-6443.


ASSESSMENTANSWERS ON PAGE T3

COPY MEONE PER STUDENT

Earth is surrounded by an atmosphere, or a blanket of gases that traps the Sun’s heat. Earth’s average surface temperature is 15°C (59°F). Without its atmosphere, Earth’s surface temperature would drop by 30°C (86°F). What determines a planet’s temperature? Its atmosphere’s composition, its distance from the Sun, and what it’s made of. Check out the thermometer to the left to discover the average surface temperature of other planets. Then answer the questions that follow.

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ____________

1. Which planet has the hottest surface temperature?

2. Which planet has the coldest surface temperature?

3. How many planets have surface temperatures warmer than -100°C?

4. Which planets have surface temperatures colder than -300°F?

BONUS. Is the planet closest to the Sun also the hottest?

Freeze or Fry

PERMISSION GRANTED TO REPRODUCE FOR CLASSROOM USE ONLY. COPYRIGHT © 2006 BY SCHOLASTIC INC.

Fahrenheit Celsius

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Average Planet Surface Temperatures


No-Sweat Bubble Test(reading comprehension)

DIRECTIONS: Read each question below, and then use the article “Solar System Shakeup!” (pp. 12-14) to determine the best answer. Fill in the correct bubble completely.

ASSESSMENTANSWERS ON PAGE T3

COPY MEONE PER STUDENT

Name: _____________________________________ Date: _________________

7. WhyisPlutonolongerconsideredaplanet?

It is made of rock and ice.There are other space objects in the same orbit as Pluto.It has no water.It is too far away from the Sun.

1. AplanettravelsaroundtheSunin______. alap an orbit a circle a line

6. TheKuiperBeltis_____.the region where you can find Earth and the moonthe force holding a planet in its orbitthe distance from the sun to the edge of the solar systemthe region where you can find Pluto

5. Whichofthefollowingaredwarfplanets?

Jupiter and SaturnMercury and ErisEris and CeresEarth and Ceres

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4. WhichofthefollowingisNOTrequiredforanobjecttobeaplanet?

Shaped like a sphere or ballOrbits the sunMade of rockIts orbit is clear of other celestial bodies.

3. WhichofthefollowingisFALSE?

Pluto is no longer considered a planet.Pluto was discovered in 1930.Pluto is considered a dwarf planet.Pluto is about the same size as the Earth.

2. Ascientistwhostudiesstars,planetsandothercelestialbodiesiscalleda(n)_____.

biologistastronomerchemistphysicist

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