Student Book Sample Pages - Nelson Education

UNIT A
Discover Science and Technology
Ryan and his sister, Zara, had been waiting for
this BMX race for months. They marvelled at the
speed, jumps, falls, and general punishment the
bikes and riders seemed to take without severe
damage. Although two bikes had bent wheels,
most of the bikes were holding up well. Zara and
Ryan knew that their bikes would have crumpled
in minutes given this treatment.
LINKING TO LITERACY
Reading a Timeline
A timeline is a visual representation of a sequence of
events. Begin by reading the title. Then, look at the dates at
the beginning and the end. What period of time is covered
Read each date and event in order, thinking about which
needs were met by each change.
BMX Racing History
1790
1816
1885
1963
France
Germany
England
U.S.A.
Monsieur de
Sivrac invents a
device called the
vélocifère—two
wheels connected
by a beam with
a seat, but no
pedals or steering.
Baron Karl von Drais
adds steering to
create the draisine
(or swift walker).
John Kemp Starley
invents the chain and
gear system; this is
the prototype of the
modern bicycle.
Schwinn bicycle company
creates the “Sting-Ray.” This
bicycle has small wheels, high
rider handlebars, and a banana
seat. By 1968, more than 70 %
of the bicycles sold in the U.S.
were Sting-Rays or imitation
Sting-Rays. In 1969 a group of
boys start to race their Sting-
Rays in Palms Park, Los Angeles.
4 Unit A • Systems in Action NEL