Crime Scene Investigations: Real-Life Science Activities for the Elementary Grades
What could be more exciting than turning your students into super sleuths to discover scientific principles and techniques? This unique resource for classroom science teachers gives students the chance to become crime scene investigators with 60 exciting lessons and activity sheets in earth, life, and physical science as well as science inquiry and technology.Like real-life forensic scientists, students observe carefully, organize and record data, think critically, and conduct simple test to solve crimes ranging from theft and dog-napping to vandalism and water pollution. And for added fun, original cartoon character Investi Gator enlivens the pages as he sleuths his way through each new mystery, sifting evidence and observing details.All 60 lessons and activities include complete background information with step-by-step procedures for the teacher and reproducible student worksheets. For easy use, all material is printed in a big spiral-bound format that fold flat for photocopying of any page as many times as needed and is organized into four convenient sections:Inquiry, science, and technology — In section 1, you'll find 16 ready-to-use lessons and activities that help students understand the processes of scientific inquiry and how technology can help as they compare clues from shoeprints in Putting the Wrong Foot Forward&interpret; ...interpret and write coded messages in To Code or Not to Code...or rearrange data in the right sequence when a student accidentally hits the wrong computer key in Disorganized Data.Earth science — Section 2offers 14 investigations and accompanying activities that feature water, soil, and fiber samples. Students test insulating properties of different materials in a camping supply store in The Truth Is in the Proof...compare nitrogen and phosphorus in soil samples in Dirty Clues...and examine soil samples from car tires and suspects' boots in Digging Up Clues.Life science — In section 3, you'll discover 16 lessons and activities that teach about characteristics of bones, hair, skin, teeth, and DNA. Students compare lip print patterns in Learning from Lipstick...do a hair analysis to find out who stole a dog in A Hairy Situation...and examine teeth impressions in a half-eaten apple in One Bite Too Many.Physical science — Section 4provides 14 reproducible investigations and activities that focus on physical and chemical properties. Students must sharpen their observation skills and make careful measurements to resolve unknown substances in The Baffled Baker ...and discover who's been eating candy in class by comparing food dye from different types of candy in Candy Capers.Whatever your training or experience in teaching science,Crime Scene Investigationscan be an intriguing supplement to instruction. You'll find your students will be eager to learn science concepts and solve a mystery at the same time!