EOY REVIEW STAAR TAKS 5

EOY REVIEW STAAR TAKS G5

Based on G5 material from Pearson TEKS Preparation and Study Guide plus TAKS - A Student and Family Guide

What do scientists do?

Read the lesson summary. Choose the correct answer to the question.

A scientific investigation begins with a question that can be tested. A scientific question can be answered by conducting an investigation.

To begin an investigation, scientists research information about what is already known, using reliable reference materials and the Internet to find out about the work of other scientists. Reference sources include books and scientific journals.

What do scientists do?

Before beginning an investigation, scientists often form a hypothesis, or prediction, about what they think will happen during an investigation. One way to state a hypothesis is to use an if…then... because statement. A sample hypothesis is, “If I place this cup of water on the window sill, then the water will evaporate because it absorbs energy from sunlight.”

What do scientists do?

Scientists often make observations while testing a hypothesis. An observation is something that you find out by using your senses. Scientists then analyze and interpret the information gained by observation to draw a conclusion.

The conclusion may indicate whether the hypothesis was supported or unsupported by the evidence the scientists gathered.

Multiple Choice

Which of these statements could be a hypothesis?

• If the phone rings, I will answer it.

• If I place a marble on a ramp, it will roll down because of gravity.

• If I make enough money this week, then I can go to a movie.

• If it is sunny tomorrow, we can take a hike in the afternoon.

How do scientists investigate?

When scientists conduct an experiment, they use a scientific investigation to test a hypothesis. There are different methods that scientists use to conduct experiments, but they all include collecting information, making predictions, testing ideas, and sharing results. In some cases, a controlled experiment is the best way to investigate, but there are other ways to test a hypothesis

How do scientists investigate?

Models are objects or ideas that represent something else and that make it easier to study things that are difficult to observe directly. Some models are physical representations that are larger, smaller, or simpler than the actual object. Other models are computer programs that represent the object.

In some investigations, scientists use surveys to collect information about people. In other investigations, they use a technique called sampling. In sampling, scientists collect information about a few individuals and then use it to draw conclusions about a larger population.

How do scientists investigate?

When they follow scientific methods, scientists use a sequence of steps to guide their investigation, analysis, and conclusions. The specific steps and their order vary from one investigation to another. The steps you may want to use in your investigations include asking questions, forming a hypothesis, identifying variables, testing the hypothesis, recording data, and reporting results. During any investigation, it is important to keep accurate records.

Multiple Choice

Which of these is usually the first step of any investigation that uses scientific methods?

• Analyzing the collected data

• Asking a testable question

• Planning an experiment

• Reporting results