How do scientists learn about the natural world? In this unit, you’ll find out how people have used, and continue to use, their curiosity and intelligence to discover the mysteries of science and nature. What hidden worlds do scientists see through microscopes? Why do rattlesnakes rattle? What jobs have robots begun to do? How do hot-air balloons work? What causes a hurricane? The answers to these questions and more lie ahead. What scientific exploration do you have in mind? C. Thomas, 5th Grade, Fairmont Charter School

If you could be a scientist, what would you study If you could be a scientist, what would you study? What do you think the scientist in the photograph is studying?

observations species In Hidden Worlds, you’ll watch as scientist Dennis Kunkel makes observations through his microscope. Then, you’ll travel from Kunkel’s laboratory all the way to the blast zone around the Mount St. Helens volcano in the state of Washington, learning how scientists work in the field. Finally, Kunkel will give his advice on how to become a scientist, whether you want to study volcanoes or how different species of animals survive. Perhaps you will go on to explore hidden worlds.

specimens Key Words Specimens are Unit 5 ● Week 1 specimens Specimens are items or parts typical of a whole group. What is a synonym for specimens?

murky Key Words Something that is Unit 5 ● Week 1 murky Something that is murky is too dark or cloudy to see through clearly. What would a murky day look and feel like?

dormant Key Words Dormant means Unit 5 ● Week 1 dormant Dormant means quiet or not active for a period of time. What other animals are dormant in winter?

scoured Key Words Unit 5 ● Week 1 Scoured means that a person looked very carefully for something... it also means to remove dirt, grease, etc., from something or polish by hard rubbing, as with a rough or abrasive material Describe a time when you scoured an area looking for something.

biology Key Words Biology is the study of living things. Unit 5 ● Week 1 biology Biology is the study of living things. What might you learn about in a biology class?

research Key Words Research is a Unit 5 ● Week 1 research Research is a careful study to find facts about a subject. What will you research for school this year?

observer Key Words An observer is a Unit 5 ● Week 1 observer An observer is a person who watches in a close and careful way. How is an observer similar to and different from a participant?

transferred Key Words Something that is transferred remains Unit 5 ● Week 1 transferred Something that is transferred remains the same but changes place or situation. What have you transferred?

keep one’s eyes open for Function Words & Phrases Unit 5 ● Week 1 keep one’s eyes open for “Keep one’s eyes open” means to look carefully for something.

apparently Function Words & Phrases “Apparently” Unit 5 ● Week 1 apparently “Apparently” means it seems that, or it may or may not actually be so.

eventually Function Words & Phrases In English, we use “eventually” to Unit 5 ● Week 1 eventually In English, we use “eventually” to describe something that has not happened yet but will happen later on. Eventually means “finally, after a long time.”

to go on Function Words & Phrases In English, we use Unit 5 ● Week 1 to go on In English, we use “to go on” to describe going somewhere. To go on means “to journey or to travel.

Basic Words Unit 5 ● Week 1 soil sample

Basic Words Unit 5 ● Week 1 lens

Basic Words Unit 5 ● Week 1 pollen

Basic Words Unit 5 ● Week 1 moss

Basic Words Unit 5 ● Week 1 algae

Basic Words Unit 5 ● Week 1 bacteria

Vocabulary Words specimens murky dormant scoured biology research observer transferred