The S S S G : 5th Grade Edition
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cience
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How to use this study guide?
This study guide is to help prepare you for the Science CRCT. Here are some
ideas to make the most of the SSSG:
o Make flash cards of the vocabulary words
o Make illustrations to explain ideas
o Find the answer to the questions in the textbook
o Highlight the areas you don’t understand and ask for extra help
from your teacher or friends
Science Habits
o Science investigation can take many different
forms (researching, experimenting, observing,
collecting samples, and reading)
o A variable is anything that can change the
result of an experiment. When planning an
experiment, scientists keep variables the same
except the one they are testing.
o Some science knowledge is very old but we
still use it today.
o It is important that scientists communicate
their ideas clearly so that other scientists can
critique and learn from the new knowledge
o A hypothesis is a testable statement that
scientists try to prove or disprove in an
experiment.
o Drawing a picture or making a model can
help scientists explain their ideas.
o Scientists use the scientific method: Ask a
question, Do Background Research, Make a
Hypothesis, Test with an Experiment,
Analyze Data, and Communicate Results
Parts of a Microscope
Life Science
Vocabulary
Bacteria, organ system, cell, microorganism, tissue, organ, mold, protists, nucleus, cell wall,
chloroplast, membrane, cytoplasm, plant cell, animal cell, vertebrate, invertebrate,
classification, kingdom, species, nonvascular plant, vascular plant, xylem, phloem,
angiosperm, gymnosperm, dominant trait, recessive trait, inherited trait, learned behavior,
chromosome, mitosis, gene, instinct
Cells
o What are the functions of the different parts of the cell?
o How are the functions of cells in organisms with many cells different from
those of single-celled organisms?
o What does cytoplasm do for a cell? What are the functions of the other
cell parts?
o How does epithelial tissue support the transport of materials in your
body?
o What are examples of beneficial microorganisms? Why are they
beneficial?
Classification
o How are living things grouped?
o What are vertebrates and invertebrates?
o How are plants sorted into groups?
o Why is it important that scientists use the same classification system?
o How do vascular plants differ from nonvascular plants?
o A hill behind your house is washing away, what kind of plant might help
keep the soil in place?
Growth and Inheritance
o How does cell division affect growth?
o How are characteristics inherited?
o What is the difference between learned behaviors and inherited traits?
Give examples of each.
Key Points
o Scientists classify living things by looking at their features.
o All living things are made of cells. The structures of cells have unique
functions.
o Single-celled organisms can be beneficial and harmful to humans.
o All organisms produce offspring. Offspring inherit traits from their parents.
They gain learned behaviors by observing others.
Earth Science
Vocabulary
jetty, earthquake, volcano, magma, topography, fault, landform, sand dune,
weathering, erosion, delta, sinkhole, plate, epicenter, levees, dams, deconstructive
forces, constructive forces, estuaries, seismologist, seismograph
Constructive Processes
o What are examples of constructive forces?
o What are two landforms in Georgia that were caused by constructive
forces?
Deconstructive Processes
o What are examples of deconstructive forces?
o What are two landforms in Georgia that were caused by deconstructive
forces?
Human impact in controlling deconstructive and constructive forces
o What are humans doing to help preserve the barrier islands?
http://www.beachbrowser.com/Archives/Environment/August99/Renourish- beaches-or-lose-them.htm
o How do we use technology to predict volcano eruptions and
earthquakes?
o What do we do to prevent and control floods?
o What are seismological studies? How do we use them?
o How does a dam control flooding?
Physical Science
Vocabulary
Atom, molecule, element, compound, matter, mixture, change of state, chemical change, physical
property, physical change, chemical property, law of conservation of mass
Electric charge, static electricity, electric field, electric current, electric circuit, series circuit,
parallel circuit, resistance, short circuit, conductor, insulator, electromagnet
Matter
o What is matter made of?
o What is the difference between an atom, molecule, and element?
o What are some examples of elements?
Physical Changes and Chemical Changes in Matter
o How can you demonstrate a physical change?
o What is the difference between a physical change and a chemical
change? Give examples of each.
o Changes of state (solid, liquid, and gas) are a chemical change or
physical change? How do you know?
o How are physical properties different than chemical properties?
o How does the mass of an apple compare to the mass of the same apple
sliced into pieces?
Magnets and Electricity
o What causes electric charges to build up?
o Why do objects attract and repel one another?
o When you press the switch on a lamp, the light goes off or on. What
does the switch do to make this happen?
o Look at pages in your textbook. Describe the paths of electricity though
the circuits.
o What is the difference between series and parallel circuits?
o How are conductors and insulators different? What are examples of
conductors and insulators?
o What is needed to make an electromagnet?
Key Points
o Electric currents produce magnetic fields
o Everything in the universe is made of matter. Matter can change physically
and chemically.
o Law of conservation of mass states that matter can never be created or
destroyed. Atoms will never disappear
o Chemical change has occurred if there is a color change, smell, new
physical property, or heat is given off