1. 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

2. 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?

3. 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.

4. 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?

5. 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?

6. 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?

7. 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.

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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?

11. 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?

12. 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.

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

14. 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.”

15. 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.

16. Basic Words
Unit 5 ● Week 1
soil sample

17. Basic Words
Unit 5 ● Week 1
lens

18. Basic Words
Unit 5 ● Week 1
pollen

19. Basic Words
Unit 5 ● Week 1
moss

20. Basic Words
Unit 5 ● Week 1
algae

21. Basic Words
Unit 5 ● Week 1
bacteria

22. Vocabulary Words specimens murky dormant scoured biology research
observer transferred