Third Grade Reading Written by Donna Latham Essential

Third Grade Reading Written by: Donna Latham Essential Question What can we learn about nature by investigating?

Vocabulary Words Ø active Ø detect Ø dusk Ø microscopic Ø reflect Ø sensitive Ø species Ø twilight

active • Definition: doing things that require physical • • • movement and energy Sentence: We keep active in the winter months by skiing and ice skating. Part of Speech: adjective – a word that describes a noun. Synonyms: lively, energetic, on the go Think about it: Can you think of another way to stay active during the cold winter months? Create your own sentence using the word active.

detect • Definition: to discover or notice the presence of something that is hidden or hard to see. • Sentence: Doctors use blood tests to detect illnesses. • Part of Speech: verb - a word that tells what someone or something is or does. • Synonyms: notice, observe, find • Think about it: Name one thing you can detect with a telescope. • Create your own sentence using the word detect.

dusk • Definition: the time of day when day turns into night and the sky becomes darker. • Sentence: The park closes at dusk. • Part of Speech: noun – a person, place, thing, animal, or idea. • Synonyms: sunset, early evening, twilight • Think about it: What is one thing that is happening in your house at dusk? • Create your own sentence using the word dusk.

microscopic • Definition: extremely small; only able to be seen through a microscope. • Sentence: There is a microscopic crack in the diamond. • Part of Speech: adjective – a word that describes a noun. • Synonyms: tiny, miniscule, extremely small • Think about it: Do you think we have microscopic things in our classroom? Like what? • Create your own sentence using the word microscopic.

reflect • Definition: to give back light, heat, or a picture of something. • Sentence: The water can reflect the sun. • Part of Speech: verb – a word that tells what someone or something is or does. • Synonyms: echo, mirror, redirect • Think about it: Do you know another way to use the word reflect? Hint: Open Circle • Create your own sentence using the word reflect.

sensitive • Definition: (technical) able to sense very small changes in something; changing in response to something. • Sentence: Light sensitive film needs to be developed in a dark room. • Part of Speech: adjective – a word that describes a noun. • Synonyms: delicate, handled carefully • Think about it: What is another way of thinking about the word sensitive? • Create your own sentence using the word sensitive.

species • Definition: a particular group of things, animals, plants, or people that belong together and have some shared quality. • Sentence: There approximately 8, 000 species of ants. • Part of Speech: noun – a person, place, thing, animal, or idea. • Synonyms: types, kinds, sorts • Think about it: Can you name another species in the plant or animal kingdom? • Create your own sentence using the word species.

twilight • Definition: the period when day is ending and night is beginning. • Sentence: Most birds get ready to sleep at twilight. • Part of Speech: noun – a person, place, thing, animal, or idea. • Synonyms: dusk, nightfall, sundown • Think about it: What was another word that had the same meaning as twilight. • Create your own sentence using the word twilight.