Prepare to Read

Learn Key Vocabulary

Rate and Study the Words Rate how well you know each word. Then:

  • 1. Pronounce the word. Say it aloud several times. Spell it.

  • 2. Study the example.

  • 3. Tell more about the word.

  • 4. Practice it. Make the word your own.

Rating Scale

  • 1 = I have never seen this word before.

  • 2 = I am not sure of the word’s meaning.

  • 3 = I know this word and can teach the word’s meaning to someone else.

Key Words
awareness (u-wair-nes)
noun page 379
Awareness is having knowledge of something. To protect the Earth, it is important to have an awareness of things that could harm the planet.
Related Word: aware
conservation
(kon-sur-vā-shun) noun page 379
Conservation is careful protection of something. Conservation efforts protect national parks.		discovery (dis-kuv-ur-ē)
noun page 379
Photograph of people in a woods observing something through binoculars
A discovery is the act of seeing or finding something for the first time. The hikers made an interesting discovery and took a closer look. Plural: discoveries		document (dok-yu-ment)
verb page 380
Photograph of someone writing in a journal/notebook
To document something is to provide facts about it. A research study must be documented carefully with facts.
ensure (en-shur) verb page 378
Photograph of a lush forest habitat
To ensure is to make sure or certain. Humans should ensure that rainforests are protected.		establish (i-stab-lish) verb page 380
Photograph of people gathering foods at a food pantry
To establish something is to start it. My friends and I established a yearly food collection for families in need.		expedition
(ek-spu-di-shun) noun page 378
Photograph of people hiking on a sand dune
An expedition is a trip or journey made for a particular purpose. This is an expedition through the desert.
explorer (ek-splor-ur) noun page 378
Photograph of an astronaut
An explorer goes to a place that is new to him or her to find information about it. Astronauts are explorers of our universe.
Related Words: explore, exploration		Practice the Words Tell a story that uses the Key Words. Partner 1 uses the first word. Partner 2 uses the next word to continue the story. Continue until you have used all the Key Words.

  • PARTNER 1: Juana and Hyo have a new awareness of endangered wildlife.

  • PARTNER 2: They want to learn more about conservation of animal habitats.