Grade 6

6
th
GRADE
Elementary
LET’S EDUCATE IN A DEEPER SENSE: SHAPING MINDS
How can we prepare our students to face the complexities of today’s constantly changing times and the uncertainty they
bring? How do we set up an educational innovation project that, apart from achieving cognitive development, leads students
to grow and develop in all dimensions? How can we teach students to be global citizens while, at the same time, individuals
rooted in their own realities? How do we connect them to their emotions so that they are capable of making assertive
decisions in life? Simply put... how do we shape beings?
All these questions have led us to design an educational model that connects English language acquisition with developing
students’ emotional awareness and worldview in an environment that encourages communication and participation to meet
the challenges of societal transformation.
In these pages, we present BE+Live, an unprecedented new proposal that centers on the current needs of students and
makes the educational process a meaningful and transcendental learning experience.
At BE+Live, we believe that changing education is the key to changing society for the better.
Content Director Ernesto Alonso Núñez Mejía
Editorial Manager Arturo Calderón López Editorial Design and Gil G. Reyes Ortiz
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Editorial Design Pamela Izebel Garduño Cruz
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Spada, Javier Ordoñez, Mariana Coordinator
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Illustration Christian Pacheco Cámara, Emmanuel
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ISBN 978-607-723-968-0
First Edition June 2019

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My Awesome Reader 3
The Lost City of Pompeii 6
Puck and the Purple Flower 19
The Evolution of Light 38
There Will Come Soft Rains:

A Story about the Future 51
Team Work 70
Tom Sawyer: An Adventure 83
4
Earth is a Wonderful Place 102
The City of Birds 115
Clean-up Day 134
Speeches That Changed

the World 147
Recommendations 166
5
The
Lost City
of
Pompeii Written by
Patricia E. Acosta
6
On August 23, in the year 79 CE, the city of
Pompeii was as busy as usual. People were
trading goods, working on their homes, taking
luxury vacations, and spending time with friends
and family.
Pompeii was located in Western Italy, in a region

called Campania, near the Bay of Naples. This
region was very fertile, so it produced up to six
times more food than any other region in the
country. Because of the area’s natural resources,
many people went to Pompeii to trade food
and goods. As business grew, the quality of
life improved in the city. Wealthy Romans saw
Pompeii as a fine, luxurious vacation area.
Soon, the city became host to some of the most
powerful people in the world.
It was an international city with a population

of 20,000 people—half of them were children.
The average Pompeian woman was four-and-
a-half feet tall and lived to about the age of 39.
The average man was a few inches taller, and
was expected to live to the age of 41. Many city
residents had large homes with elegant gardens
and beautiful decorations. Houses had modern
pumps that provided running water and a
special heating system to keep rooms warm.
7
The city of Pompeii was very close to Mount Vesuvius. Roman
writers described Vesuvius as a quiet mountain, covered with
gardens and vineyards, except for its top, which was rocky.
They weren’t aware that the mountain had once been a very
active volcano. As Mount Vesuvius had remained dormant
for as long as humans could remember, people living near
the mountain didn’t realize it was dangerous.
The first wa ning came on February 6, 62 CE. That day, a

loud roar was heard all over the town, but nobody could tell
what it was or where it had come from. Soon, the earth began
to shake and the buildings began to fall down. The town’s
water reservoir also broke, causing floods in parts of the cit .
Though that first earthquake was destructive, it didn t last
long. An hour later, another earthquake shook the ground.
More quakes continued to shake the city that
day, causing great damage to Pompeii.
8
After the earthquakes, the people of Pompeii decided to rebuild the city.
For the next 17 years, they worked hard to repair the damage caused
by the quakes and to make their town even better than before. They
fixed damaged houses, repaired the water rese voirs, and reopened their
businesses. Soon, life in the city of Pompeii was back to normal. Business
was growing again with the help of traders and rich vacationers, who were
building new houses in the area.
By the year 79, the area surrounding Mount Vesuvius was filled with
villages, towns, and other small cities like Pompeii. In August of that year,
small tremors began to shake the ground, but the quakes were very small
and caused so little damage that no one really paid attention to them. At
the same time, springs and water wells dried up.
On August 20th, the earth began to crack and large waves began to form
at sea. For four days, small earthquakes shook the city of Pompeii. The
town residents, however, didn’t interpret the quakes as warnings.
Finally, on August 24th, Mount Vesuvius started to erupt.
9
The ground shook very hard. Suddenly, Mount Vesuvius shot a huge cloud
of smoke, flame, ash, and bu ning rock up into the air. A young Roman
called Pliny the Younger saw the eruption from a villa on the other side of
the bay. He sent two letters to a friend describing the event. In his letter,
Pliny wrote about a huge cloud that appeared above Vesuvius. According
to his description, the cloud looked like a tall pine tree with wide branches.
He mentioned that the cloud was filled with mud and bu ning rocks. He
also wrote that the most exact description was to compare it to a pine tree:
for it shot up to a great height in the form of a tall trunk, which spread out
at the top as though into branches.
There was so much ash in the sky that darkness came even if it was
day. Then, the ash began to fall in very thick sheets covering all the
surrounding villages. It wasn’t until after midnight, however, that the first
pyroclastic surge flowed into the cit . During each pyroclastic surge,
an avalanche of hot ash, mud, rock, and volcanic gas rushed down the
side of the volcano as fast as 97 kilometers per hour or more. These surges
meant certain death for the people of the region. In a few minutes, the
surge swallowed nearby farms, vineyards, and villages, including the city
of Pompeii.
10
The people of the towns and villas around Mount Vesuvius were surprised
by the eruption. Some Pompeii residents took their animals and tried to
leave the area as soon as possible. Others hid in rooms, believing that the
ashes and poisonous gases couldn’t harm them there.
People who left the area after the first rain of smoke and ash had a chance
to survive. Those who weren’t able to leave, however, didn’t survive. They
were killed by falling buildings, buried by the surge of mud and rocks, or
poisoned with toxic volcanic gases. Their bodies were quickly covered by
the volcano’s mineral deposits, which blanketed Pompeii in a layer over
nine meters thick.
Though the population of Pompeii at the time of the eruption was

estimated to be between 10,000 and 25,000, it’s not known how many
people died during the tragic event.
11
The Romans were used to rebuilding the cities
around the Bay of Naples even after the worst
earthquakes—which destroyed many towns in
the area—but Pompeii was never rebuilt after
the eruption. Over the years, the memory of
Pompeii faded, and even the town’s location
was eventually forgotten.
After Pompeii was buried and lost to history,

Mount Vesuvius continued to erupt every
hundred years or so. Then, the volcano slept
for 600 years before it began a new, destructive
phase. In December of 1631, a huge eruption
buried many villages under lava flows, killin
over 3,000 people in the area. The volcano also
ejected boiling water, which made the destruction
even worse. Volcanic activity after that day
became almost continuous. Vesuvius erupted at
least four times more in the 17th century.
During that period, Pompeii lay hidden. Then, in

1748, workers accidentally discovered the ancient
city while they were rebuilding a nearby town
that had been damaged by a recent eruption.
By the time Pompeii was found, the city looked
very different than hundreds of years before. All
that was left of Pompeii was a collection of ruins
covered in solidified ashes and mud
Mount Vesuvius itself also went through many

changes during that period. It was no longer
a fertile mountain surrounded by crops and
vineyards. It had turned into a plain, bald,
and dangerous volcano. Even its peak had
taken a different shape due to the force of
all its eruptions.
12
Workers discovered the ruins of Pompeii in
1748, nearly 1,600 years after the city was
buried. However, it took years of excavations
before the city was finally revealed
Excavators found that the ash that fell on

Pompeii during the eruption, in the year
79, preserved much of the city. They
found coins, jewelry, paintings, jars, and
other decorations that helped them learn
about the Romans from thousands of years
before. They even found bakery ovens with
loaves of bread that were nearly 2,000 years old!
Around 1,500 remains of bodies were also found

around the city. However, scientists believe that
many more people were affected by the eruption.
Based on the victims found, 38% were found in
areas where a lot of ash had fallen. It’s believed
that most of these victims died when the roofs
of the buildings they were hiding in collapsed—
falling on the top of them. The other 62% of
the remains were in the deposits from the
pyroclastic surges.
Today, only three-fifths of the city have been

freed from the solidified volcanic ash, mud,
and stones.
13
Since the ruins of Pompeii were found, Mount
Vesuvius has erupted over a dozen times. The
eruption of 1906 was very destructive to the Bay
of Naples. It killed more than 100 people and
ejected the most lava ever recorded in Mount
Vesuvius’s history. Its latest big eruption came in
March 1944. That eruption destroyed four villas
and 88 bomber planes from World War II.
Mount Vesuvius hasn’t erupted since 1944. Over

the past few hundred years, the volcano has
been quiet for periods of 18 months to seven-
and-a-half years. That makes the current quiet
period the longest in nearly 500 years.
While scientists believe that Vesuvius isn’t

likely to erupt soon, they still consider it very
dangerous. The volcano’s tendency to have
sudden explosions and the population of almost
three million people now living close to it make
Vesuvius one of the most dangerous volcanoes
in the world.
14
Unlike the people of Pompeii—who were taken
completely by surprise when Vesuvius started
to erupt—residents of the Bay of Naples area
now have a much better chance of surviving
a volcanic eruption.
Today, scientists are constantly monitoring

the volcano from the Vesuvius Observatory,
in Naples. There, they measure ground
movements and volcanic gases, and they
use that information to try to predict
volcanic eruptions.
Currently, an emergency evacuation of the cities

closest to Mount Vesuvius would take at least
a week. This evacuation would be done using
trains, ferries, cars, and buses. To make it faster,
however, the government wants to reduce the
number of people living close to the volcano.
Their goal is to reduce this time from seven to
two days. Next time Vesuvius erupts, they hope
everyone will remember the lessons learned from
the people of Pompeii.
15
Story Report
Date: -,_ ..-; Genre: -,_ ..,;;
Title: -,_ ..;,. Type of text: ;, ,.;,.,,;
1. Did you like the text? Color the bar.
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

2. Write a brief summary. Use some of the key words in the box.
Pompeii trading city Mount Vesuvius eruption

earthquakes floods tragic event hidden city
excavators preserved jewelry coins

3. Which was your favorite passage? Explain.

4. Which city would you like to read about? Why?

5. What else are you reading now? Write title, author, and genre.

16
Timeline
1. Complete the chart with the events in the box.
a. A loud roar was heard all over town.

b. Mount Vesuvius started to erupt.
c. Scientists are constantly monitoring the volcano from the Vesuvius
Observatory in Naples.
d. A huge eruption buried many villages under lava.
e. Workers accidentally discovered the ancient city while they were
rebuilding a nearby town.
f. The earth began to crack and large waves began to form at sea.
Date Event
Today
1748
December, 1631
August 24th, 79
August 20th, 79
February 6th, 62
17
Glossary
blanket: (v.) to cover with or as if with

a blanket.
dormant: (adj.) not active.
fade: (v.) to lose strength.
poisonous: (adj.) producing a toxic substance

that causes injury or death when absorbed
or ingested.
preserve: (v.) to protect; to keep safe from

injury, harm, or destruction.
pump: (n.) a device that raises and transfers

fluids, such as wate , by suction or pressure.
pyroclastic surge: (n. phrase) mass of gas and

rocks that is ejected during a volcanic eruption.
roar: (n.) a loud continuous sound.
trade: (v.) to buy and sell goods or services.
tremor: (n.) a slight earthquake.
vineyard: (n.) a field where vines are grown
18
Illustrated by
Mariana Villanueva
19
20
One warm midsummer eve in the forest outside Athens, a sprite
and a fairy met. The sprite was a servant to Oberon, king of the
fairies, and rather well known in his own right. The fairy served
Queen Titania, Oberon’s wife.
“Hello, fairy,” called Puck. “Where are you going?”
“I have an errand to run for Queen Titania,” replied the fairy.
“King Oberon is having a party here tonight,” said Puck. “Just make sure
Titania doesn’t come anywhere near him. He’s still furious about the
beautiful young boy she stole from that Indian king. Oberon wants the boy
for his army, but she refuses.”
“Aren’t you that mischievous spirit known as Puck... the one who plays
pranks on gods and humans alike?”
“Yes, I am!” replied Puck with pride. “Step aside, here comes Oberon and
his party!”
“I’ve heard all about what you do, and I don’t approve. Ah, here comes
Titania and her followers, too,” said the fairy.
Titania spoke, “Still trying to hamper my business, husband, because

you want that lovely child. Well, it won’t happen! His dead mother was a
faithful servant of mine.”
“You’re my wife and you’re supposed to obey me!”
“Forget it, but you can join us in our dance tonight if you like.”
“Sure, just give me the boy first,” reasoned Oberon
“Never. Never mind, let’s go!”
And with that, Titania and her group turned on their heels and left.
21
22
Oberon was very angry. When they were
gone, he motioned for Puck
to come over to him.
“Puck, there’s a certain purple flower that

I want you to find. I showed it to you
once. When you spread its juices on the
eyelids of a sleeping person, that person
falls madly in love with the first living
creature he or she sees. I want to use this
on Titania so she falls in love with some
ridiculous creature. I’ll only give her the
antidote once she promises the Indian boy to
me. Now go, quickly.”
As Puck hurried off, Oberon spotted two Athenian

youths entering the glade. The couple’s tenacious
argument interested him, so Oberon made himself
invisible in order to eavesdrop on them.
“I no longer love you, so stop following me,” said

Demetrius. “I’m here to find my beautiful He mia, who
was promised to me in marriage. I’m sick of seeing you.
Go away!”
“And I’m sick when I don’t see you!” cried Helena.
Demetrius had once loved and wooed poor Helena, but he

quickly fell out of love with her when he met her friend Hermia.
“Stop following me or I’ll hurt you,” growled Demetrius. Then, he

continued his search.
As Oberon watched poor Helena follow Demetrius, he pitied her.

When Puck returned with the purple flowe , Oberon instructed
him to help her.
“Well done,” said Oberon. “There’s an Athenian couple here

in the forest. You’ll recognize them by their clothing. Go find
another flower like this one and spread the potion on the
man’s eyelids”.
23
24
Puck hurried off and Oberon headed towards Titania’s dance. He waited
until the dancers went to sleep, and then he spread the potion on
Titania’s eyelids.
A second pair of young Athenians was wandering the forest that night. It
was Lysander and Hermia, who had run away together that same evening.
Hermia’s father had promised her to Demetrius, but Hermia didn’t want to
marry Demetrius for she loved Lysander, so the couple was eloping. They
were headed to Lysander’s aunt’s house outside of Athens, where they could
get married safely.
As they traveled through the forest, it began to get dark.
“My love, you look exhausted from our wanderings. To tell the truth, I’ve
forgotten the way. Let us lie down in this copse and rest for the night,”
Lysander said.
“That’s a good idea as I’m quite tired. We must sleep apart because we’re
not yet married. It wouldn’t be correct to lie next to each other,”
said Hermia.
With that, the lovers lay down a few lengths apart from each other and
went to sleep. And it was like this that Puck found them.
“Oh ho, here are two youths wearing Athenian garb, ”Puck whispered to
himself. “This must be the couple Oberon was speaking of!” Puck quickly
smeared the potion on Lysander’s eyelids and then hurried off to find
Oberon.
Demetrius and Helena soon arrived at the same location. Demetrius was
so busy yelling at Helena for following him that he didn’t see the sleeping
couple. Trying to finally get rid of Helena, Demetrius stalked off, leaving
her behind.
25
26
Through eyes blurry with tears, Helena noticed Lysander sleeping on
the ground. She didn’t see Hermia, who was sleeping just out of sight on
a nearby slope.
“Lysander!” Helena exclaimed in surprise, “are you all right?”
“Why, Helena,” croaked the groggy Lysander. “You’re so wonderful.

I love you!”
“Stop making fun of me, Lysander!” cried Helena. “You don’t love me;
you love my best friend, Hermia! This is too cruel of you, Lysander.”
Helena ran off in tears and Lysander followed her, leaving Hermia still
asleep and unaware.
As Puck wandered in search of Oberon, he came across a little troop

of simple Athenian citizens. It was an acting troop that had met to
practice a play in the forest that night.
Puck hid himself and watched their antics for some time. Appalled by
their terrible acting, Puck decided to work a little mischief on the troop.
When one of the actors left the group for a moment, the playful Puck
transformed the actor’s head into a donkey. Puck’s magic was painless,
and the man named Nick Bottom felt no different than before. But
when he returned to his group, Bottom was shocked when they ran off
screaming, “Monster, monster!”
Unbeknownst to anyone but Puck, Queen Titania had been asleep

in a nearby flower bed all this while. The shouting had awakened her
and when she raised her head, the first creature she saw was the ass
headed Nick Bottom. The flower s potion worked its magic and Titania
was smitten immediately with the monstrous mortal. Puck couldn’t
contain his laughter, so he ran off to tell Oberon, who was, of
course, delighted.
27
28
As Puck and Oberon conversed, Hermia wandered into the clearing
closely followed by Demetrius. Neither of them noticed the sprite nor the
king of fairies, who had made themselves invisible.
“What’s this?” whispered Oberon. “This man is following the wrong

woman! Puck, what have you done?”
“That’s not the man I spread the juice on,” whispered Puck. “Uh oh...”
“Puck, we need to fix this!
As they entered the clearing, Hermia was yelling at Demetrius, out of

fear for Lysander, and because she wanted him to stop following her.
Hermia had woken to find herself alone, with ysander nowhere to be
found. She became worried that he’d been killed in his sleep and, when
Demetrius appeared from nowhere, Hermia began to suspect he had
killed Lysander.
“Maybe he ran away from you while you were sleeping,”

said Demetrius.
“He loves me more than the Sun loves daytime,” Hermia said. “He
would never do that to me. I think you killed him because I love him
and not you.”
“I would never do that to someone I love as much as I love you.”
29
30
“I don’t love you, Demetrius, and I never want to see you again.
Stay away from me,” Hermia declared.
Demetrius, upset and with no hope, watched as Hermia stalked off to

search for Lysander. Then, he lay down and cried himself to sleep.
“I shall make this right,” Oberon whispered.
Oberon hurried over to sleeping Demetrius and hastily smeared the

potion on his eyelids.
“Oberon, here comes Helena with the youth that I accidentally dosed with
the love potion. Shall we watch what happens?
“What fools these mortals are,” said Puck.
“Let’s hide for they’re making enough noise to wake up Demetrius,”

said Oberon.
As they made themselves invisible again, Puck said laughingly, “Now, the
two of them will love the same girl. This is so funny!”
Helena entered the glade, closely followed by Lysander. “Stop mocking me,
Lysander,” she shouted. “You don’t love me, you love Hermia. Now quit
following me!”
The shouting woke Demetrius up. When he opened his eyes, he saw Helena
standing in front of him. The flower s potion worked its magic on him and
he fell instantly in love with Helena.
“Oh, Helena,” Demetrius cried, “I love you and only you, from now until
the end of time!”
Demetrius’s exclamation startled both the youths. Helena rounded on

him, “Demetrius, what’s the meaning of this? Are you two playing a joke
on me together?”
31
32
“Don’t be cruel, Demetrius!” demanded Lysander. “For I know that you
truly love Hermia and not Helena!”
“Oh, Lysander, it’s you! I thought I heard you,” called Hermia from
across the grove.
A moment passed as she caught up with the other three.
“Lysander, why did you leave me?”
“Because I love Helena and not you,” said Lysander.
“Oh, so you’re all in on this joke together!” shrieked Helena.
“You can’t mean what you’re saying, Lysander. It’s impossible,”

cried Hermia.
“It’s no joke, Helena,” said Lysander. “Demetrius, I say that I love

Helena more than you!”
“If that’s so, then prove it in a duel, Lysander,” said Demetrius.
“All right, let’s go. I see a good spot over there to duel on,” said
Lysander and the two exited the grove.
Helena and Hermia, both disgusted with the situation and with each
other, walked off in opposite directions.
“You’d better fix this!” Oberon whispered angrily to Puck. “Darken and
fog the forest, confuse them in their paths so that they can’t find each
other. Eventually, they’ll be so tired that they’ll fall asleep. The juice
of the purple flower can be used as its own cure. Spread the juice once
more on Lysander’s eyes to make him see normally again. Then, all of
this will seem like a midsummer night’s dream to him.”
Oberon handed Puck the antidote and went to check on Titania.
33
Puck did as Oberon commanded. Then, darkness
fell, and soon all the youths were exhausted by
all their searching and lay down to sleep. Puck
found Lysander asleep and spread the antidote on
his eyelids.
While Puck was righting his wrongs, Oberon was

having a little fun of his own. He’d found his wife,
Titania, and made great fun of her for falling in
love with the ass-headed Nick Bottom. Titania
agreed to give him the Indian child if he stopped
making fun of her and left her alone.
Oberon left Titania and found Puck once again.
“Now, Puck,” he said, “wait until she falls asleep,

then spread the antidote on her eyelids. And
don’t forget to change that man’s head back
to normal!”
Towards dawn, Puck found Titania asleep, cradling

Nick Bottom’s donkey head in her lap. He spread
the antidote on her eyelids. Then, he magically
changed Bottom’s head back to normal.
Come morning, everything was righted and the

night’s events seemed like a distant dream to all
those involved. Demetrius now loved Helena,
leaving Lysander free to marry Hermia in Athens.
King Oberon was once again on good terms with
Queen Titania. Nick Bottom was transformed
back to his normal self and eagerly told his troop
members a colorful tale about the bizarre dream
he’d had while in the forest that night.
The only character that remained unchanged after

that midsummer night—for better or for worse—
was that mischievous sprite named Puck.
34
Story Report
Date: -,_ ..-; Genre: -,_ ..,;;
1. Did you like the story? Color the bar.
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Puck purple flower prank first boy Lysander Hermia

Helena O beron Demetrius donkey face back to normal

3. Which was your favorite passage? Explain.

4. Do you like to read about sprites and magic? Have you ever read a story
about magicians?


- ,

´,,,,
35
Summary
1. Look at the pictures and describe what happened.
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,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,;;
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,;;
36
Glossary
clearing: (n.) a tract of land where there

are no trees.
duel: (n.) a combat between two people.
eavesdrop: (v.) to listen secretly what is

said in private.
elope: (v.) to run away secretly with the

intention of getting married.
garb: (n.) a particular type of clothing.
glade: (n.) an open space surrounded

by woods.
hamper: (v.) to interfere.
hastily: (adv.) hurriedly, quickly.
prank: (n.) trick;

a mildly mischievous act.
smear: (v.) to spread something over

a surface.
startle: (v.) to frighten or surprise

suddenly and usually not seriously.
unbeknownst: (adj.) unknown;

happening or existing without the
knowledge of someone specified
woo: (v.) to court; to try to get the affection

and usually marriage with someone.
37
The
Evolution
Light
Of
Written by Adapted by
Ángela María Padrón Jesica Graziano
38
Imagine living in a time
with no modern technology.
It’d be completely different
from the way we’re used to
living, wouldn’t it? You’d be doing
your homework next to a candle
and you wouldn’t watch any movies
or go online.
Technology is everywhere. We can

clearly see it in computers and
cell phones, but it’s also present in
medicine, means of transportation,
and even food! Technology has come
to replace many inventions from the
past—usually inventions are improved
with time and technology helps
a lot.
One clear example is the lightbulb.

In 1854, a German watchmaker
named Heinrich Goebel created an
incandescent electric bulb. In 1879,
Thomas Alva Edison and Joseph
Wilson Swan perfected the lightbulb
with a carbon-made filament. In
1906, the General Electric Company,
along with William Coolidge, invented
the tungsten filament, and tungsten
filaments are the types found in
incandescent lightbulbs today!
You may be wondering: Are there tiny

lightbulbs inside a cell phone to make
the screen light up? What makes the
power light on a stove shine? The
light for these doesn’t come from
incandescent lightbulbs, but from a
different type of light source: LEDs.
39
Light-Emitting Diodes
In 1962, Nick Holonyak, a researcher at the

General Electric Company, invented the Light-
Emitting Diode, or LED. His invention is one of
the most important in the world of electronics.
LEDs are specially made to release a large

amount of light outward. They’re tiny
lightbulbs that have plastic coverings. The light
emitted bounces off the sides of the plastic. It
then travels to the rounded end of the covering
and shines outward in a particular direction.
Holonyak’s first LED emitted only red light. Late ,

LEDs were developed to emit blue and green
light. Different combinations of these three colors
create other colors of light, including white light.
Modern incandescent bulbs are cost-effective;

however, compared to LEDs, they’re not very
efficien . The filament of an incandescent bulb
is encased in a glass covering. As the filament
burns, the glass gradually becomes discolored.
Then, when the filament bu ns out, the lightbulb
no longer works. In addition, only a small
percentage of the energy in a lightbulb makes
the actual light we see. Most energy is lost as
heat—and this wastes electricity. LEDs are more
efficient because they don t have filaments
that can burn out. Their plastic coverings
are more durable than glass coverings. These
features allow them to last much longer than
a conventional lightbulb. Some LEDs can last
for almost ten years! LEDs also don’t produce
much heat, which helps save electricity. They’re
also more usable because they fit into electrical
circuits more easily.
40
However, LEDs are very sensitive to heat. The light output
and lifetime of the bulb can be reduced greatly if it’s exposed
to excessive amounts of heat. LEDs also cost more than
conventional bulbs. In the long run, though, the durability
and efficiency of LEDs can save people much more money
than incandescent bulbs can. The money people saved
on LEDs makes for the additional money they paid
when purchased.
LEDs can be found in all kinds of places. Signs are one

type of device that can use LEDs. The LEDs in signs are
very small and grouped together for stronger illumination.
Restaurants and hotels often have their names in LED signs
on the outside of their buildings. Shopping malls, stadiums,
and banks are other places that advertise their locations
with LED signs. The LED lights shine brightly so people can
see them from far away. The owners of these businesses don’t
have to worry about changing bulbs for years!
In New York City, LED signs are everywhere. Marquee signs

advertise plays or movies outside theaters. A very famous LED
sign is in Times Square, in New York City, where the ball drops
every New Year’s Eve. On this sign, information runs across a
screen that is about 9,000 square feet in size.
On a large LED sign like this one, clusters of LEDs are used
to make one pixel. These pixels light up to form the letters
and numbers that are seen on the screen. This sign in New
York is made of tiles that are about one square foot in size.
Each tile has about 256 pixels with more than 2,000 LEDs on
the front side. The back of the tile has the necessary electronic
components to light all the LEDs on the tile.
41
Outdoors
Jumbo televisions also use LEDs. These large

screens are found in stadiums or sports arenas.
They display video footage of the action and
scores in a game. They can also be used as
billboards to advertise products or services.
When the screens are outdoors, the image shown
needs to be clear even in bright sunlight.
The gigantic screens use pixel tiles with dozens of

LEDs on each one. Thousands of these modules
are arranged on a rectangular grid. A computer
system controls the LEDs. It determines which
LEDs will light up at a given time to produce an
image. An electrical system and wires are needed
to power the LEDs and grid.
42
All over the United States, there
are LED traffic signals. Each LED
in a traffic signal is about the size
of a pencil eraser. They’re grouped
together to create a light across the
entire surface of the traffic signal.
LED lights are clearer and brighter
than traditional lights, which
makes it easier for pedestrians
and drivers to see them in bright
sunlight. In addition, using these
types of traffic signals can be more
cost-effective for cities. Not having
to replace bulbs for years saves
money on materials and labor.
Signals may not have to be serviced
as often.
43
Electronics
Computer accessories use LEDs. A computer mouse controls the cursor on

a computer screen. In the past, computer mice used a ball to slide around
a mouse pad. Today, optical mice have replaced this device. An optical
mouse can work on almost any surface. A red LED light underneath the
mouse pulsates and bounces light off the surface. This light sends signals
to sensors that transmit information from the mouse to the computer. Each
second, the mouse sends hundreds of signals to the computer as it moves.
This makes the cursor appear to glide across the screen very smoothly.
There are several advantages of optical mice. There’s less wear than on a
mouse with a track ball. Also, dirt can’t get inside the mouse and interfere
with the tracking sensors. This creates a stronger connection between the
mouse and the computer.
Power buttons on appliances have indicator lights that use LEDs. When
a stove is turned on, a LED lights up. The light will continue to shine when
the stove is still hot. This serves as a warning to people so they don’t get
burned. LED power buttons can also be found on computer screens and
burglar alarms. They’re on printers and scanners, too. LED lights can
indicate that a printer is out of ink or a piece of paper is jammed.
44
Remote controls also use LED lights. Inside a
remote control is a circuit board with an infrared
LED. This LED produces light that’s invisible to
the human eye. The device connected to the
remote, such as a television, can “see” the light.
When you press the power button on the remote
control, the receptor in the television “sees”
the flashing infrared light. Then, the television
turns on. The television senses a connection that
produces a signal specific to the power button.
Similar connections occur when the channel
or volume buttons are pressed.
Remote controls can be used for other devices as

well. People can use remote controls to adjust the
lighting in a room. Devices with remote controls
give people flexibility to control them from
farther away.
LEDs are also used in the displays of

consumer electronic products. Portable music
devices, such as MP3 players and cell phones,
use LEDs to light up their screens. Some watches
have an LED light to help you see the time in
the dark. Certain digital clocks use LEDs to
illuminate the numbers, too. Some flashlights
use LED bulbs to emit bright beams. These
lights can shine over long distances. People can
use LED flashlights in their homes, when their
power goes out, or while camping outdoors. LED
flashlights can also assist professionals, such
as firefighters and coal miners, who need to wor
in dark places.
45
Hoverboards
Hoverboards are a motorized transport that has two wheels

upon which someone stands. LED is also present here. These
lights make them very attractive and fashionable. You can see
boards with LEDs all around the wheels or just on the board
itself. There are lots of designs available.
Hoverboards can be used for personal transportation. M. K.

Joseph created the first one in 1967, and the famous movie,
Back to the Future, turned them into a very popular invention.
The one in the movie didn’t have wheels so many people
didn’t believe it was real. However, Shane Chen developed
and patented this modern invention with wheels. In 2015, it
was one of the coolest inventions at the Consumer Electronics
Show, in Las Vegas. Of course, it doesn’t fulfill Back to the
Future fans’ expectations, but it was still very popular. That
same year, it became a must-have for many teenagers.
46
VR Headsets
These headsets allow the person wearing them to get

immersed in virtual reality. They’re often used for computer
games and simulators. They offer sound and image, and they
have motion-tracking sensors, allowing users to feel as if
they were living another reality.
It’s difficult to say who their creator is as many people got

involved in the process, but Morton Heilig is surely one of
them. Other people who claim to be their creators are Jaron
Lanier, Douglas Engelbart, Ivan Sutherland, and
Myron Krueger.
These headsets also have LED screens. They come in different

models and some of them have LED trackers that can be used
as head-tracking points for cameras in consoles.
47
Story Report
Date: -,_ ..-; Genre: -,_ ..,;;
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

lightbulbs diodes LEDs signs electronics

traffic signals remote controls MP3 players
hoverboards VR headsets

3. Which was your favorite invention from the text? Draw and write.
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
4. What invention would you like 5. What else are you reading
to read about? Why? now? Write title, author, and genre.
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
48
Mind Map
1. What can you say about these inventions?
Lightbulbs
Signs
VR Headsets
LEDS Electronics
Entertainment
Computer Mice
Hoverboard
Screens
49
Glossary
advertise: (v.) to call public attention especially

by emphasizing desirable qualities so as to
arouse a desire to buy.
appliance: (n.) tool; instrument.
beam: (n.) a ray or shaft of light.
billboard: (n.) a flat panel, wall, or fence that

shows advertisements.
cluster of LEDs: (n. phrase) a number of LEDs

one next to the other.
cost-effective: (adj.) producing good results

without costing a lot of money.
efficient: (adj.) capable of producing desired

results without wasting materials, time,
or energy.
heat: (n.) energy that causes things to

become warmer.
incandescent: (adj.) white, glowing, or

luminous with intense heat.
motion-tracking: (adj. phrase) that registers

and monitors movement.
patent: (v.) to protect something under a

trademark or brand name.
pulsate: (v.) to move rhythmically.
50
There Will Come Soft Rains:
A Story about
the
Future
Written by
Ray Bradbury
Illustrated by
Christian Pacheco Cámara
51
52
In the living room, the voice-clock sang, “Tick-
tock, seven o’clock, time to get up, time to get
up, seven o’clock!” as if it were afraid that
nobody was going to get up. The morning house
lay empty. The clock ticked on, repeating and
repeating its sounds into the emptiness, “Seven-
nine, breakfast time, seven-nine!”
In the kitchen, the breakfast stove gave

a hissing sigh and ejected from its warm
interior eight pieces of perfectly browned toast,
eight eggs, sunny-side up, sixteen slices of bacon,
two coffees, and two glasses of cool milk.
“Today is August 4th, 2026,” said a voice from

the kitchen ceiling, “in the city of Allendale,
in California.” It repeated the date three times
for memory’s sake. “Today is Mr. Featherstone’s
birthday. Today is the anniversary of Tilita’s
marriage. Insurance is payable, as are the water,
gas, and light bills.”
Somewhere in the walls, relays clicked, memory

tapes glided under electric eyes.
‘’Eight-one, tick-tock, eight-one, off to school, off to

work, run, run, eight-one!”
But no doors slammed, no carpets took the soft

tread of rubber heels.
It was raining outside. The weather box on the

front door sang quietly, “Rain, rain, go away;
rubbers, raincoats for today...” And the rain tapped
on the empty house, echoing. Outside, the garage
chimed and lifted its door to reveal the waiting car.
After a long wait, the door swung down again.
53
At eight-thirty, the eggs were shriveled and the toasts were a stone. An
aluminum wedge scraped them into the sink, where hot water whirled
them down a metal throat, which digested and flushed them away to
the distant sea. The dirty dishes were dropped into a hot washer and
emerged twinkling dry.
“Nine-fifteen,” sang the clock, “time to clean.”
Out of warrens in the wall, tiny robot mice darted. The rooms were
crawling with the small cleaning animals, all made of rubber and metal.
54
They thudded against chairs, kneading the rug nap, sucking gently at
the hidden dust. Then, like mysterious invaders, they popped into their
burrows. Their electric eyes faded. The house was clean.
Ten o’clock. The sun came out from behind the rain. The house stood alone
in a city of rubble and ashes. This was the one house left standing. At
night, the ruined city gave off a radioactive glow which could be seen
for miles.
Ten-fifteen. The garden sprinklers whirled up in golden founts, filling th

soft morning air with scatterings of brightness. The water pelted down
window panes, running down the charred west side where the house
had been burned evenly free of its white paint.
The entire west face of the house was black, save for five places. Here, the
silhouette in paint of a man mowing lawn. Here, as in a photograph, a
woman bent to pick flowers. Still farther ove , two images were burned onto
the wood in one titanic instant. The first image was a small bo , hands
flung into the ai . Higher up was the image of a thrown ball and opposite
him a girl, hands raised to catch a ball which never came down.
The five spots of paint—the man, the woman, the children, the ball
remained. The rest was a thin, charcoaled layer.
The gentle sprinkler rain filled the garden with falling light. Until this da ,
how well the house had kept its peace. It had carefully inquired, “Who goes
there? What’s the password?”
55
56
Upon getting no answer from lonely foxes and whining cats, it had shut up
its windows and drawn its shades in an old-maidenly preoccupation with
self-protection, which bordered on a mechanical paranoia.
It quivered at each sound, the house did. If a sparrow brushed a window,

the shade snapped up. The bird, startled, flew off. No, not even a bird
must touch the house!
The house was an altar with ten thousand attendants, big, small,
servicing, attending, in choirs. But the gods had gone away, and
the ritual of the religion continued senselessly, uselessly.
Twelve noon.
A dog whined, shivering, on the front porch.
The front door recognized the dog’s voice and opened. The dog, once huge
and flesh , was now boney and covered with sores. It moved in through the
house, tracking mud. Behind it, whirred angry mice, angry at having to
pick up mud, angry at the inconvenience.
Not a leaf fragment blew under the door without causing the wall panels to
flip open and the copper scrap rats to flash swiftly out. The offending dust
hair, or paper was raced back to the burrows. There, down tubes that fed
into the cellar, it was all dropped into the vent of an incinerator which sat
like evil Baal in a dark corner.
The dog ran upstairs, histerically yelping to each door. At last it realized,
as the house realized, that only silence was there.
It sniffed the air and scratched the kitchen door. Behind the door, the stove
was making pancakes, which filled the house with a rich baked odor and
the scent of maple syrup.
57
The dog foamed at the mouth, lying at the door,
sniffing. Its eyes tu ned to fire. It ran wildly in circles,
biting at its tail, spun in frenzy, and died. It lay in the
parlor for an hour.
“Two o’clock,” sang

a voice.
Delicately sensing
decay at last, the
regiments of mice
hummed out as softly
as blown gray leaves
in an electrical wind.
Two-fifteen. The dog

was gone.
58
In the cellar, the incinerator glowed suddenly and a whirl of sparks leaped
up the chimney.
Two thirty-five. Bridge tables sprouted from patio walls. Playing cards
fluttered onto pads in a shower of pips. Martinis manifested on an oaken
bench with egg-salad sandwiches. Music played, but the tables were silent
and the cards untouched.
At four o’clock, the tables folded like great butterflies back through the
paneled walls.
Four-thirty. The nursery walls glowed.
Animals took shape: yellow giraffes, blue lions, pink antelopes, lilac
panthers, cavorting in crystal substance. The walls were glass. They looked
out upon color and fantasy.
The nursery floor was woven to resemble a crisp, cereal meado . Over this
ran aluminum roaches and iron crickets. In the hot still air, butterflies of
delicate red tissue wavered among the sharp aroma of animal spoors.
There was the sound like a great matted yellow hive of bees and the
lazy bumble of a purring lion. There was the patter of okapi feet and the
murmur of a fresh jungle rain, like other hooves, falling upon the summer-
starched grass.
Now, the walls dissolved into distances of parched weed, with miles
of warm, endless sky. The animals drew away into thorn bushes and
water holes.
It was the children’s hour.
59
60
Five o’clock. The bath filled with clea , hot water.
Six, seven, eight o’clock. The dinner dishes manipulated like magic tricks,
and in the study a click. In the metal stand opposite the hearth, where a
fire now blazed up wa mly, a cigar popped out. It had half an inch of soft
gray ash on it, smoking, waiting.
Nine o’clock. The beds warmed their hidden circuits, for nights were
cool here.
Nine-five. A voice spoke from the study ceiling, “Mrs. McClellan, which
poem would you like this evening?”
The house was silent.
The voice said at last, “since you express no preference, I shall select a
poem at random.”
Quiet music rose to back the voice.
“Sara Teasdale, as I recall, your favorite...
“There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground,
and swallows circling with their shimmering sound.
And frogs in the pools singing at night,
and wild plum trees in tremulous white.
Robins will wear their feathery fire
Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire.
And not one will know of the war, not one
will care at last when it is done.
Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree,
if mankind perished utterly.
And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn,
would scarcely know that we were gone.”
61
62
The fire bu ned on the stone hearth and the cigar fell away into a mound
of quiet ash on its tray. The empty chairs faced each other between the
silent walls and the music played.
At ten o’clock, the house began to die.
The wind blew. A falling tree bough crashed through the kitchen window.
Cleaning solvent, bottled, shattered over the stove. The room was ablaze in
an instant.
“Fire!” screamed a voice. The house lights flashed, water pumps shot water
from the ceilings, but the solvent spread on the linoleum, licking, eating,
under the kitchen door, while the voices took it up in chorus, “
Fire, fire, fire!
The house tried to save itself. Doors sprang tightly shut, but the windows
were broken by the heat, and the wind blew and sucked upon the fire.
The house gave ground as the fire in ten billion ang y sparks moved with
flaming ease from room to room and, then, up the stairs while scur ying
water rats squeaked from the walls, pistoled their water, and ran for more.
The wall sprays let down showers of mechanical rain.
But it was too late.
Somewhere, sighing, a pump shrugged to a stop. The quenching rain

ceased. The reserve water supply, which had filled baths and washed dishes
for so many quiet days, was gone.
The fire crackled up the stairs. It fed upon Picassos and Matisses in the
upper halls like delicacies. It baked off the oily flesh, tenderly crisping the
canvases into black shavings.
Now, the fire lay in beds, stood in windows, changed the colors of drapes!
From the attic trapdoors, blind robot faces peered down with faucet mouths
gushing a green chemical.
The fire backed off, as even an elephant must at the sight of a dead snake.
Now there were twenty snakes whipping over the floo , killing the fire with
a clear, cold venom of green froth.
63
64
But the fire was cleve . It had sent flames outside the house, u
through the attic to the pumps there. An explosion! The attic
brain, which directed the pumps, was shattered into bronze
shrapnel on the beams.
The house shuddered. Its bare skeleton cringed from the

heat. Its wires, its nerves were revealed as if a surgeon had
torn the skin off to let the red veins and capillaries quiver
in the scalded air.
“Help, help! Fire! Run, run!”
Heat snapped mirrors, like the brittle winter ice, and the
voices wailed, “Fire! Fire! Run! Run!” like a tragic nursery
rhyme. A dozen voices, high, low, like children dying in
a forest, alone, alone. And the voices fading as the wires
popped their sheathings like hot chestnuts. One, two, three,
four, five voices died
In the nursery, the jungle burned. Blue lions roared, purple

giraffes bounded off. The panthers ran in circles, changing
color. Ten million animals, running before the fire, vanishe
off toward a distant steaming river.
Ten more voices died. In the last instant under the

fire avalanche, other choruses, oblivious, could be hear
announcing the time, playing music, mowing the lawn by
remote-control, or setting an umbrella frantically out and, in
the slamming, opening the front door. A thousand things were
happening, like a clock shop when the clocks strike the hour
insanely one after the other.
65
It was a scene of manic confusion, yet unity; singing,
screaming, a few last cleaning mice darting bravely out to
carry the horrid ashes away. And one voice, with sublime
disregard for the situation, read poetry aloud in the fie y study.
It continued until all the film spools bu ned, the wires withered,
and the circuits cracked.
The fire burst the house. It slammed flat down, puffing

skirts of spark and smoke.
In the kitchen, an instant before the rain of fire and timbe ,

the stove could be seen making breakfast at a psychopathic
rate. There were ten dozen eggs, six loaves of toast, and twenty
dozen bacon strips. Breakfast was eaten by fire, which restarte
the stove hysterically hissing!
The crash. The attic smashing into the kitchen and the
parlor. The parlor into the cellar, the cellar into the sub-cellar.
Armchair, film tapes, circuits, beds, all like skeletons thrown i
a cluttered mound deep under.
Smoke and silence. A great quantity of smoke.
Dawn showed faintly in the east. Among the ruins, one wall
stood alone. Within the wall, a last voice said, over and over
again, even as the sun rose to shine upon the heaped rubble
and steam.
“Today is August 5th, 2026. Today is August 5th, 2026.

Today is...”
66
Story Report
Date: -,_ ..-; Genre: -,_ ..,;;
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

house voice dog angry mice empty house

poem clever fire burnt house

3. Which was your favorite pasage? Describe.

4. How do you picture the future? What do you think 2026 will be like?
Describe.


67
Chained Stories
1. After reading “The Evolution of Light” and “There Will Come Sof Rains:
A Story about the Future,” let’s chain them!
Which devices from “The Evolution

of Light” are too old for “There
Will Come Soft Rains: A Story about
the Future”?
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;
Which technological devices could

you identify in “There Will Come Soft
Rains: A Story about the Future”?
Describe them.
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;
What do you think the robots in

“There Will Come Soft Rains: A Story
about the Future” look like?
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;
Make up an invention that could

appear in “There Will Come Soft
Rains: A Story about the Future”.
What would it be useful for?
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.;
68
Glossary
ablaze: (adj. or adv.) on fire
canvas: (n.) a specially prepared piece of cloth

on which a picture can be painted by an artist.
cringe: (v.) to shrink in fear or servility.
dawn: (n.) when the sun rises.
froth: (n.) foam.
hearth: (n.) the floor of a fireplac
quench: (v.) to put out a fire
quiver: (v.) to shake or move with a slight

trembling motion.
relay: (n.) an electromagnetic device, such

as switches.
shrapnel: (n.) bomb, mine, or shell fragments.
sigh: (v.) to take a deep breath.
thud: (v.) to hit making a dull sound.
wedge: (n.) a piece of wood, metal, etc., with

one pointed end and one thicker end that is used
to split something, to fit into a space, to separate
two things stuck together, etc.
whirr: (v.) to move rapidly.
yelp: (v.) to utter a sharp quick cry.
69
Team
Work
Written by Ángela María Padrón
Adapted by Jesica Graziano
Illustrated by Emmanuel Peña
70
Ben stepped onto the crowded “WOW, what a great drawing!”
school bus. He didn’t recognize Ben exclaimed.
anyone. The bus pulled away
from the stop. Ben quickly found “Thanks,” Alice said, “I designed
an empty seat in the front row this for my science project. We’re
next to a girl who told him her working in groups to build a
name was Alice. model roller coaster.”
“Hi! You must be the new kid on “That would be really cool to
my block,” Alice said. ride on. I’ve been on at least a
hundred roller coasters,” Ben said.
Ben nodded, while trying to put
his bag on the rack. “It’s so high! “I’ve never been on one,” Alice
I can’t.” told him. “I’m too scared of going
fast down a steep incline.”
“Let me help you. You shouldn’t
be nervous about your first da ,” “Going fast is the best part! The
Alice said. most fun is raising your arms up
in the air. You almost feel like
“I’m not nervous.” Ben calmed his you’re flying!
hands. Then, he wiped the little
beads of sweat from his forehead. Alice smiled.
Deep down inside, he felt uneasy
about his new middle school. It “You sound like an expert on
was a lot bigger than his old one roller coasters.”
back home. He was unfamiliar
with the layout of the school. He “I guess I am.”
didn’t know any of the teachers
or students. They laughed. Talking with Alice
made Ben forget all about being
Alice smiled. Then, she took out nervous.
a notebook and colored pencils
from her backpack. She turned to
a page with a diagram of a roller
coaster. It was shaped like a bat
on a baseball field
71
Ben left his homeroom at eight and “Watch where you’re going!”
ate a snack before walking back he shouted.
to class with Alice. He couldn’t
finish his can of juice, so he took Ben bent down to pick up
it with him. Alice introduced him his belongings. He found Matt’s
to some of her friends. Ben told notebook on the floo . It was open
them about his hometown. They to a page with a design of a roller
compared their experiences on coaster. His was shaped like a
roller coasters as they walked down night-flying bat
the crowded hallway.
Ben handed the notebook to Matt.
Suddenly, Ben accidentally “Is that for your science project?”
bumped into another boy.
Textbooks and notebooks went “Yes.” Matt snatched the notebook
flying into the ai . The boy fell from Ben. “You’d better not try to
to the ground. steal any of our ideas.”
“Matt! Are you OK?” asked Alice. “Relax,” Alice said. “Ben will be
in our group. We’ve already
“I’m so sorry,” Ben said. He designed ours.”
extended his hand to help Matt up.
“My group is going to have the
Matt stood up by himself and best project in the class,” said Matt.
brushed the dirt off his pants. “Just wait and see.”
72
Matt and his friends walked away. “It probably is,” said Alice. “Matt
is a science geek. He loves to do
“What’s his problem?” Ben experiments and build things. His
asked Alice. group will probably get an A on
their project.”
“Pay no attention to Matt,” Alice
said. “He’s so conceited. He “I think yours is going to be
thinks he’s the greatest person in the best,” Ben told her.
the world.”
“This project is not a competition.
“How does someone like that have My friends and I are worrying about
any friends?” our own project and our own grade.
We just hope it’ll work.”
“His friends are the same way.
They’re all obnoxious.” “I can’t wait to see your roller
coaster,” said Ben.
“They must all be good at science.
Their roller coaster design looked Alice looked at her watch.
really good.”
“We’d better hurry. We have to get
to class before the next bell rings.”
73
Ben and Alice arrived at Mr.
Huffman’s science classroom just “Correct. Also, there are forces—”
in time. Ben put his juice can away
and took a seat. Mr. Huffman “Forces can change an object’s
assigned Ben a seat in Alice’s speed or direction,” Matt
group. He could see Matt sitting interrupted. “Gravity is a force.
across the room. It pulls the roller coaster car down
the hill. When the hill is steep,
“First, we are going to review what the car will fall fast. It’ll build up
we learned this week,” said Mr. acceleration. Acceleration helps to
Huffman. “Who can tell me Isaac push the car faster up the next
Newton’s First Law of Motion?” hill and—”
Matt raised his hand. “Thank you, Matt,” Mr. Huffman

stopped Matt from saying more.
“An object in motion tends to stay “Now, you’ll all work in your
in motion.” groups to build your model roller
74
coasters. You need plastic tubing, Ben felt proud. He’d never thought
marbles, and shoeboxes. You can of himself as an expert on
use tape to hold the pieces together. anything before.
There are materials on the shelves
for decoration. Each group will then Alice’s group got to work right
present the project to the entire away. First, they attached a tall
class. You’ll have to explain how the piece of the tubing to the top of the
forces of motion and gravity work shoebox. Then, they connected all
on the marble as it travels through the pieces of the plastic tubing to
your roller coaster.” create steep hills. Next, Alice cut out
the shape of the baseball bat from
The students gathered in her notebook. She added baseball
their groups. drawings along the side. She
also drew a tall pitcher pretending
“Matt is such a show-off,” Alice to be about to throw a ball. Ben
said. “He always answers Mr. taped the pieces along the sides of
Huffman’s questions. No one else the tubing.
gets a chance to say anything.”
“Now, we have to test it out,” Alice
“Matt sure knows a lot about roller said. She placed the marble at the
coasters,” Ben said. top of the roller coaster and let it go.
The marble took off fast. Suddenly,
“I bet you know more than he it started to slow down. Then, it
does,” said Alice. “Our group is glad stopped at the bottom, just before
to have your expertise.” the last hill.
75
Matt and his group were working “No, it doesn’t,” said Alice.
next to Alice and Ben. They
shaped their shoebox like a flying “You haven’t tested it yet. How do you
bat. Then, they added a winding know it will work?” Ben asked him.
path with two loops for the marble
to travel. They decorated their “We built it just like we
project with drawings of a star and planned. Its parts are perfectly
a moon dangling from strings. designed. It’s going to work
perfectly,” Matt boasted. He sat
Matt and his friends laughed at the down in his seat and put his feet
baseball field roller coaste . up to relax.
“I guess the new kid brought you Alice ignored Matt and focused
some bad luck, Alice.” on her project. She and her group
examined the roller coaster carefully.
“Leave us alone,” Alice said. They couldn’t find anything wron
with it.
“We’ve just finished our project. I
told you that our flying-bat roller “We have to present in ten
coaster would be the best. It looks minutes,” Alice said. “This is never
much better than yours,” Matt said. going to work.”
76
Then, Ben had an idea.
“I know! We need to raise this hill a little higher.”
“Why?” Alice asked.
“It’s not steep enough,” Ben explained. “Gravity helps to pull the marble
each time it falls down a hill. The potential energy that is built up at
the top of the hill will change to kinetic energy when the marble starts
to move. If we make this hill higher, there will be a greater distance for
gravity to pull the marble down. Then, there will be more kinetic energy.
The marble will have more acceleration to roll up the next hill without
slowing down.”
“How do you know this?” Alice asked.
“I’m the roller coaster expert, remember?”
Alice’s group worked fast to correct the problem. They adjusted the tubing
to change the angle of the hill. This made a steeper drop for the marble.
Then, they reconnected everything and secured it with more tape.
“We don’t have time to test it again,” Alice said. “We have to present it now.”
“It’ll work,” Ben said. “Trust me.”
77
Alice, Ben, and the rest of the group stood
in front of the class with their project. After
explaining how they created their model, Alice
held the marble at the top of the roller coaster.
They all crossed their fingers
Alice released the marble from the top of the

roller coaster. It moved through the tubing like
a shooting star. The class watched as it traveled
up and down. It landed at the end of the trail
perfectly. It was a huge success! The entire
class applauded.
Next, it was Matt’s turn to present his group’s

project. He dropped the marble in and watched
it with confidence. At the top of one of the
loops, the marble fell straight down. It hit
the table and landed on the floo . The
class laughed.
Matt recovered the marble and tried again.

This time, one of the plastic tubing pieces
detached from the track. The marble fell out
and rolled onto the floor once more
78
“Perhaps your group needs to rework the design,” said Mr. Huffman.
“Next time, you should test your project before you present.”
Matt was disappointed and embarrassed. His group was the only one
with a project that didn’t work.
After class, Matt walked over to Ben and Alice. “I’m sorry about what I said
earlier,” he told them. “You really did an awesome job on your project.”
“Thanks,” said Alice.
Ben said, “Sorry you couldn’t get yours to work.”
“It’s really frustrating,” said Matt. “I don’t understand what happened.”
“Next time, you should have a roller-coaster expert on your team like
we had,” Alice said.
“Hey, Ben,” Matt said. “Maybe after school one day you could help me
figure out how to fix my project
“Sure,” Ben said, smiling.
His first day had tu ned out to be a great day after all.
79
Story Report
Date: -,_ ..-; Genre:: -,_ ..,;;
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Ben school bus first day nervous Alice roller coaster

Matt science project expert geek embarrassed

3. Which was your favorite part? Draw and describe.
4. What would your own 5. What else are you

roller coaster look like? Draw reading now? Write title,
and describe. author, and genre.
; ; ; ; ;
; ; ; ; ;
80
The Story and Me
1. Complete the table with information about the story and about you.
Paste a photo of you
Ben was nervous about ,,. I’m nervous about ;
.;.;; .;.;;
.;.;;;;;;;. .;.;;;;;;;.
The first girl he talked to was ; My first friend at school was ;
.;.;; .;.;;
.;.;;;;;;;. .;.;;;;;;;.
Ben went to school by ;; I go to school .;.;;;
.;.;;;;;;; .;.;;
.;.;;;;;;;. .;.;;;;;;;.
Everybody was working on a At school, we’re working on ;
.;.;; .;.;;
.;.;;;;;;;. .;.;;;;;;;.
Matt loved to ;.; I love to ;.;.;.;;;
.;.;; .;.;;
.;.;;;;;;;. .;.;;;;;;;.
Matt was a ;.;;;; I’m ;.;.;.;;
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;. .;.;;
.;.;.;.;.;.;.;.. .;.;;;;;;;.
81
Glossary
bump: (v.) to collide

with; to knock
against something.
conceited: (adj.) too proud

of yourself and your actions
and abilities.
crowded: (adj.) filled with

too many people or things.
dangle: (v.) to hang

loosely.
embarrassed: (adj.)
feeling or showing a state
of self-conscious confusion
and distress.
geek: (n.) an expert

in technology.
kinetic energy: (n.)

energy associated
with motion.
loop: (n.) a ring or curved piece.
obnoxious: (adj.) very disagreeable; hateful.
potential energy: (n.) the energy that a piece of matter has

because of its position.
steep: (adj.) almost straight up and down; rising or falling

very sharply.
trail: (n.) a path or track.
uneasy: (adj.) awkward; embarrassed.
wipe: (v.) to clean or dry by rubbing.
82
Tom
SAWYER:
An Adventure
Adapted from Illustrated by

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Estelí Meza
by Mark Twain
83
Monday morning found Tom Sawyer miserable. Monday morning always
found him so because it began another week’s slow suffering in school.
As Tom made his way to school after breakfast, he came upon the juvenile
pariah of the village, Huckleberry Finn, son of the town drunkard.
Tom hailed the romantic outcast.
“Hi there. What’s that you got?”
“Dead cat.”
“My, he’s pretty stiff. Say, what is dead cats good

for, Huck?”
“Good for? Cure warts with. Why, you take

your cat and get in the graveyard ‘long about
midnight where somebody that was wicked has
been buried. Then, you heave your cat after ‘em
and say, ‘Devil follow corpse, cat follow devil,
warts follow cat, I’m done with ye!’ That’ll fetch
any wart.”
84
“Sounds right. When you going to try the cat?”
“Tonight. O’er at old Koss Williams’ grave.”
“Lemme go with you!”
“Of course. If you ain’t afeard.”
The boys met that night at the cemetery. It was a graveyard of

the old-fashioned Western kind. The boys talked little, and soon
found the sharp new heap they were seeking. They planted
themselves within the protection of three great elms that grew in
a bunch within a few feet of the grave.
85
The hooting of a distant owl troubled the dead stillness. Some vague
figures approached through the gloom. Three men had reached the
grave and stood within a few feet of the boys’ hiding place.
“Hurry, men!” Doctor Robinson urged in a low voice.
Injun Joe and Muff Potter began digging. Finally, a spade struck
upon the coffin with a dull woody accent. Potte , though quite drunk,
managed to pry the lid off with his knife. They got out the body and
dumped it rudely on the ground.
“Careful, you no good half-breed,” spat the doctor.
Injun Joe spun on him, threatening the doctor with his fist. The doctor
struck out suddenly. Potter dropped his knife and exclaimed, “Here,
now, don’t you hit my pard!”
And the next moment, he began to grapple with the doctor.
86
lnjun Joe sprang to his feet and snatched up Potter’s knife. The doctor
seized the headboard of the grave and felled Potter to the earth with
it. In that same instant, Injun Joe saw his chance and drove the knife
to the hilt in the doctor’s breast. Dr. Robinson reeled and fell partly
upon the unconscious Potter, flooding him with his blood. The two
frightened boys went speeding away in the dark.
Minutes passed. Soon Potter began to stir and moan. Then, he sat up
and gazed around confusedly. The bloody weapon was in his hands.
His eyes met Joe’s.
“Lord, how is this, Joe? I drank too much tonight. I can’t remember
what happened,” he said.
“Why, you two was scufflin . You snatched the knife and jammed it
into the doctor just as he fetched you an awful clip. And here you’ve
laid, as dead as a wedge ‘til now.”
“Oh, I didn’t know what I was a-doing. You won’t tell, will you, Joe?”
And the gravely misinformed Potter dropped on his knees before the
true murderer, clasping his hands in appeal.
The two boys flew on and on, toward the village, speechless with
horror. They glanced backward over their shoulders as if they feared
they might be followed.
Tom said, “Hucky, you sure you can keep mum?”
“Tom, we got to keep mum. You know that. That Injun devil wouldn’t
make any more of drownding us than a couple of cats, if we was to
squeak ‘bout this and they didn’t hang him.”
87
88
The next day, the whole village was electrified with the ghastly
news. Dr. Robinson had been found dead with Muff Potter’s knife
in his chest. Potter had turned himself in to the law that morning.
The sheriff came along, ostentatiously leading Potter by the arm
through the crowd that had gathered in the center of town.
A low voice interjected itself above the murmur of the crowd. Injun Joe
proclaimed he had witnessed the grisly deed right before his own
eyes. He swore that Potter was indeed the murderer. Huckleberry and
Tom stood dumb and staring as the stonyhearted liar reeled off his
false statement. Every moment, they expected that the clear sky would
deliver God’s lightnings upon Joe’s head.
In subsequent days, Tom’s guilt overwhelmed him; it kept him awake

at nights and plagued him during the humid summer days. For a
time, Tom’s fear of Injun Joe compelled him to keep mum.
When, at last, the murder trial came on in the court, the whole
town was there. The counsel for the defense rose and said,
“Call Thomas Sawyer!”
An eruption of surprised murmurs ensued. Huckleberry began

to tremble.
Tom began his tale, hesitatingly at first. But as he wa med to the

subject, his words flowed more and more easil . As the story reached
its climax, the boy said, “...and as the doctor fetched the board around
and Muff Potter fell, Injun Joe jumped with the knife and...”
89
90
There was a loud crash in the courtroom. Quick as lightning, Injun
Joe sprang for a window. He tore his way through all opposers, and
was gone!
Following the trial, Tom’s fear of Injun Joe began to overwhelm him. He
and Huck decided that a spirited hunt for a buried treasure would help
clear their heads. They gathered up a crippled pick and a shovel. Then,
they set out towards the town’s haunted house. Tom reasoned this
was the only place for a sensible thief to hide a treasure.
When they arrived, the boys crept to the door and took a trembling
peep. Next, they wanted to look upstairs. They were about to go down
and begin work when...
Two men entered! The voice of one made the boys gasp and quake. It
was Injun Joe! The boys stretched themselves upon the floo . They
lay waiting in a misery of fear.
Joe said, “We’ll do that ‘dangerous’ job, then go for Texas! Meantime,
I’ll bury our loot in that corner.”
Digging with his knife, Joe struck upon something unexpected.
“Man, it’s money!”
The two men examined a handful of the coins from this newly
excavated box. They were gold. The boys above were as excited
as themselves, and as delighted.
“Now, you won’t need to do that job,” said the second man.
“Naw, that job’s not ‘bout money. It’s ‘bout revenge! Now let’s
move this pile to my den.”
91
“You mean Number One?”
“No, Number Two.”
Shortly afterward, the men slipped out of

the house. Tom and Huck rose up, weak,
but vastly relieved. Then, a ghastly thought
occurred to Tom.
“Revenge? What if he means us, Huck?”
The adventure of the day mightily tormented

Tom’s dreams that night. Tom sought out
Huck first chance he got the next da .
Together, they reasoned that Number Two
was probably a room in a tavern, and so
they went along to inquire.
The tavern-keeper’s young son told them

that Number Two was kept locked
all the time.
92
He never saw anybody go into it or come out of it
except at night. Tom and Huck eagerly devised
a scheme.
Thursday night, Tom and Huck were ready

for their adventure. They crept in the gloom
toward the tavern. Huck stood sentry. Tom
cautiously felt his way into the alley. Suddenly
Tom came tearing by him, “Run for your life!”
The boys never stopped till they reached the lower

end of the village. As soon as Tom got his
breath he said, “Huck, I ‘most stepped onto
Injun Joe’s hand! He was lying there, drunk and
sound asleep on the floo .”
“Say, Tom, did you see the box?”
“No time. Look here, Huck, less not try that thing
anymore, till we know Injun Joe’s not in there.
It’s too scary. Now, if we watch every night, we’ll
be dead sure to see him go out some time or
other. Then we’ll snatch that box quicker
than lightning.”
“Well, I’m agreed. I’ll watch the whole night long.

I’ll do it every night, too. When I see them, I’ll
come fetch you.”
“Agreed and good as wheat!”
Friday morning brought Tom a glad piece of

news—Judge Thatcher’s family had come back
to town the night before. Both Injun Joe and the
treasure sunk into secondary importance for the
moment. Becky Thatcher, the judge’s daughter,
took the chief place in the boy’s interest.
Becky invited the town’s children to a picnic.

It was set for Saturday. The old steam ferryboat
was chartered for the occasion.
93
94
Three miles below town, the ferryboat
stopped at the mouth of a woody hollow
and tied up. After the feast, the children
determined that it was time to explore
McDougal’s cave. By-and-by, one group after
another came straggling back to the mouth
of the cave in time to meet the onset of dusk.
Tired and content, the group crowded back
onto the ferry for the ride home.
Huck was already upon his watch when

the ferryboat’s lights went glinting past the
wharf. A noise fell upon his ear. The alley
door closed softly. Two men brushed by him.
One had something under his arm. It must be
that box! With no time to alert Tom, Huck set
off after them in quiet pursuit.
The men stopped within five steps of the stile

leading into Widow Douglas’s grounds. Huck
shortened his distance.
Now, there was a voice, a very low voice.

It was Injun Joe’s voice.
“Damn her, maybe she’s got company.

There’s lights, late as it is.”
A deadly chill went to Huck’s heart. This,

then, was the “revenge” job! Maybe these
men were going to murder Widow Douglas.
“Her husband was rough on me. He had me

horsewhipped! But I’ll take it out of her. We’ll
wait till the lights go out. There’s no hurry.”
Huck turned in his tracks and flew to the

closest house—the Welshman’s. He banged
at the door. Upon entering, he told them all
what he had just witnessed.
95
96
Three minutes later the old man and his
sons, well armed, were up the hill. There was
an explosion of firea ms and a cry, but the
two men got away.
It wasn’t until church on Sunday that Becky

and Tom were discovered missing. Children
were anxiously questioned. One young man
finally blurted out his fear that they were
still in the cave.
The alarm swept through the town. Within

five minutes, the fer yboat was ordered out.
Two hundred men poured down highroad
and river toward the cave.
On the day of the picnic, Tom and Becky

wandered off together in the cave. Anxious
to show off, Tom led them farther and farther
into the mysterious tunnels. Before long, they
were sorely lost!
The children settled to rest by a natural

spring. Their hope was nearly extinguished
along with their last piece of candle. As the
weary time dragged on, Tom was struck
by an idea. He took a kite-line from his
pocket and tied it to a rocky projection. Tom
unwound the line as he groped along.
Suddenly, not twenty yards away, a human

hand holding a candle appeared from behind
a rock! That hand was followed by the body it
belonged: Injun Joe! Tom was paralyzed with
fear; he could not move for a long moment.
Then, he quietly crept back to Becky.
A long while later, Tom’s hunger overcame

his fear. He needed to find a way out. Using
the kite string, Tom carefully explored the
dark maze of tunnels.
97
Exhaustion silenced his cry of relief when a speck of daylight told him
he had discovered the way out.
About a fortnight after their momentous escape from the cave, Tom
stopped off to see Becky. Judge Thatcher and some friends set Tom to
talking. Someone asked him ironically if he wouldn’t like to go to the
cave again. Tom said he thought he wouldn’t mind it.
“Well, nobody will get lost in that cave anymore,” said judge Thatcher.
“I had its big door sheathed with boiler iron two weeks ago and triple-
locked. And I’ve got the keys.”
Tom turned as white as a sheet.
“What was the matter with you, Tom?”
“Oh, Judge, Injun Joe’s in the cave!”
Within a few minutes the news had spread. A dozen skiff-loads of

men were on their way to McDougal’s cave. When the cave door
was unlocked, a sorrowful sight presented itself. Injun Joe lay stretched
upon the ground, dead, with his face close to the crack of the door.
Tom and Huck glanced at each other with relief.
“Hucky,” Tom whispered. “I’m right sure I saw that treasure in

the cave.”
“Hain’t no way we can get at it now. Judge Thatcher’s door’s got us

locked out.”
“I know a secret way in—the one where Becky and I came out. Nothin’
to be afeard of if we come prepared.”
With the murderer dead, the boys no longer had anything to fear.
They eagerly returned their attentions to their previous venture:
the search for the buried treasure.
98
Story Report
Date: -,_ ..-; Genre: -,_ ..,;;
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Tom Huck cemetery murderer liar cave

afraid of Injun Joe confess treasure

3. Which was your favorite part? Draw and write.
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
4. Have you ever gone through an 5. What else are you

adventure to find or to discover reading now? Write title,
anything? Describe it! author, and genre.
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
99
What Is the Meaning of that Word?
1. Read these parts of the story and choose

the correct option. Then, write.
The hooting of a distant owl

troubled the dead stillness.
1. What does “hooting” mean?
a. the wind b. the sound an owl makes c. the silence

2. Use the word “hooting” in a sentence.
-. .,.-.,,---;,-,.-,
,.,,- .,. -;,-..-,.
The two boys flew on and on,

toward the village, speechless with
horror. They glanced backward
over their shoulders as if they
feared they might be followed.
3. What does “glanced” mean?
a. looked b. played c. thought

4. Use the word “glanced” in a sentence.
-. .,.-.,,---;,-,.-,
,.,,- .,. -;,-..-,.
He swore that Potter was indeed

the murderer. Huckleberry and
Tom stood dumb and staring as
the stonyhearted liar reeled off
his false statement.
5. What is a liar?
a. a terrible story b. a thing c. a person who tells lies

6. Use the word “liar” in a sentence.
-. .,.-.,,---;,-,.-,
,.,,- .,. -;,-..-,.
100
Glossary
bury: (v.) to put a dead body in a grave.
deed: (n.) an intentional act.
fortnight: (n.) a period of 14 days, two weeks.
grapple: (v.) to grasp with the hands,

to wrestle.
guilt: (n.) a bad feeling caused

by knowing or thinking that
you have done something bad
or wrong.
heave: (v.) to throw

something forcefully.
loot: (n.) something that is

stolen or taken by force.
miserable: (adj.)
very unhappy.
scuffle: (v.) to fight briefly an

not very seriously.
snatch: (v.) to attempt to grab

something suddenly.
unconscious: (adj.) not knowing or perceiving; not aware.
wart: (n.) a small hard lump of thickened skin caused by a virus.
wharf: (n.) a flat structure that is built along the shore of a rive , ocean,
etc., so that ships can load and unload cargo or passengers.
wicked: (adj.) morally bad; evil.
witness: (v.) to have personal knowledge of something by seeing it.
101
Earth
Is a
Wonderful
Place
Written by
Ángela María Padrón
Adapted by
Jesica Graziano
102
Earth is a wonderful place. It’s the only planet in the Solar
System with evidence of life. Living things interact with one
another in different ecosystems. An ecosystem can be as small
as a puddle of water or as large as a desert. In every ecosystem
there are habitats—an ecological or environmental area
that is inhabited by particular species of animals, plants,
or other types of organisms. These organisms live in groups
and are called populations. Communities are formed when
populations interact. When communities interact with non-
living things outside their habitats, an ecosystem is formed.
Habitats provide populations with

their basic needs: food, water,
and oxygen. When a habitat
can no longer provide with
these needs, the populations
must look for a different habitat.
Sometimes, organisms need to look
for a different habitat because of
territorial issues.
Some countries have a great variety of

habitats. When a country has around 70%
of the world’s species diversity, it’s said to be a mega-diverse
country—and Mexico is one of them.
103
Ecosystems are constantly
undergoing gradual changes,
and not all of them are natural.
Human impact on ecosystems
is visible. Pollution and
deforestation, among many other
problems, are clear examples of the
harm humans can cause.
In Mexico, for instance, you can

find many types of forest: rain
forests, tropical deciduous, semi-
deciduous forests, thorn forests,
grasslands, coniferous forests, cloud
forests, and wetlands.
But, what about the rest of

the world? Let’s find out more
about what these habitats are like,
and where you can find them
104
The Desert Biome
Deserts have a very dry climate. Organisms that live

in deserts adapted to living under these conditions.
For example, desert plants can live without water
for long periods and most desert animals can get
their water from the food they eat.
The Sonoran Desert is located in the southwestern

part of the United States. Kangaroo rats are
nocturnal rodents that live in this desert. They
sleep during hot days and look for food at night,
when it’s cooler. Kangaroo rats are herbivores. They
eat seeds of bushes and grasses, and are able to get
water from the seeds to stay hydrated.
Rattlesnakes live here, too. They’re carnivores that

prey on rodents, such as kangaroo rats.
Red-tailed hawks are also predators. They fly

overhead and swoop down to catch snakes, rodents,
and other birds. They spit out some of their prey’s
body parts, such as bones and feathers, because
they can’t digest them. In this desert there are also
termites—a type of decomposer. They eat wood,
animal skeletons, and dead grass, and they break
down the remains. This helps fertilize the soil for
new plant growth.
105
The Tundra Biome
The tundra is the coldest habitat on Earth. The Arctic tundra is located near
the North Pole. It has low-growing plants, but no trees, and it has a frozen
layer of soil called permafrost.
Plants and animals have adapted to the freezing temperatures and cold
winds. During the cold months, plants stay dormant under the snow. They
retain their leaves to store nutrients throughout the year. Some grow a thick
covering over themselves for protection.
For similar reasons, the polar bear, which happens to be part of many
different food chains, has a thick skin and special fur to keep its body warm.
It eats seals mainly, but also the remains of dead whales and walruses. When
those foods aren’t available, polar bears will eat almost any small animal
they can find
The arctic fox has also thick fur and a furry tail to stay warm. It’s a scavenger
that eats the food that’s left when polar bears are finished eating. In winte ,
its fur is white, but it turns brownish grey in spring. These colors help it
camouflag and sneak up on its prey.
The arctic hare is one type of prey for this fox. They’re small, white rodents
related to rabbits. Arctic hares dig paths through the grass or under the snow
to make shelters and to look for food. They’re herbivores that eat mostly
woody plants, mosses, and berries.
106
Grasslands
Grasslands are generally windy, and are covered with tall grasses, but have
very few trees. Grasslands don’t receive much precipitation. The Great
Plains are temperate grasslands. They’re located in the central part of the
United States, and they extend north into Canada and south into Mexico.
American bisons are large mammals that graze on the Great Plains. They
roam the land to eat the grass. Gazelles and prairie dogs also feed on grass
and roots. Wolves and coyotes hunt these animals for food.
Tropical grasslands are closer to the equator. In Africa, they’re called

savannas. They have a hot, dry season, and fires often bu n during
that time of the year. Fires help replenish the soil with nutrients,
which allow new plants to grow. There’s also a wet season with
heavy rains.
Many species of animals graze on savannas. Zebras and antelopes eat

grass. Predators, such as lions and leopards, eat these animals. Meerkats
are omnivores that eat insects and plants. Vultures and hyenas are
scavengers and they eat carcasses. Whatever they leave behind after they
have digested goes back into the earth to start the food chain again.
107
Oceans
Oceans cover about three quarters of Earth’s surface. The ocean, or marine
ecosystem, is the largest on the planet. Because of its size, it’s divided into
many smaller ecosystems. Each ocean level has a different temperature
since it receives different amounts of sunlight.
Crabs and small fish can be found closer to the shore, but plankton
is found in the open ocean. Plankton consists of tiny plants and
animals that float near the su face. Most plankton is microscopic,
or too small to be seen. It’s at the beginning of the marine
food chain. It’s a source of food for many organisms.
For example, fish and squid eat plankton. Then,
seals and dolphins eat the fish and squid, and
carnivores, such as orca whales, then feed on
these mammals.
As waters get deeper, there’s less sunlight for plants to use to produce their
own food. The temperature of the water also gets colder. Bacteria and
fungi act as nutrients for organisms. Sponges and sea stars live deep in
the ocean and, at these levels, they can only eat bacteria and fungi.
108
Coral reefs are ecosystems found in warm, shallow waters. Coral polyps
are tiny animals that live close together in colonies. They eat algae and
plankton. The coral acts as a shelter for many organisms. Jellyfish and
sea snakes are two kinds of animals that live in coral reefs.
The Great Barrier Reef, in Australia, is the largest coral reef in the world.
It’s an ecosystem with more than 1,500 fish species. The crown of tho ns
starfish preys heavily on coral. This sta fish can multiply so quickly
that several coral reefs are becoming endangered. Estuaries are unique
ecosystems. They form where freshwater rivers flow into the salty ocean and
are partially enclosed by land.
The horseshoe crab is an important animal that lives in an estuary. It

crawls along the seabed and picks up clams and worms to eat. The eggs of
horseshoe crabs are a source of food for other animals. Some mussels and
barnacles cling to the underside of the horseshoe crab’s shell for shelter.
Mangroves are a type of tree found in some estuaries. They grow

in large clusters and have huge roots. They protect the coast from
severe storms that can erode the land and also provide a protected
area for many fish species. Birds and lizards live in the
branches and roots of the mangrove trees, too.
109
Forests
Forests are covered with trees and vegetation. They produce

much of the oxygen that living things need to survive.
Tropical forests are located close to the equator and they have
a rainy and a dry season. There are no cold winters.
They have many diverse species of plants and animals.

Mosses and ferns are two types of plants in a tropical forest.
Many types of birds and bats can live in this ecosystem, too.
A temperate forest has four seasons. In the fall, leaves change

color. In the winter, trees are bare. Squirrels and rabbits feed
on the temperate forest’s grass and small plants while bobcats
and foxes eat small mammals.
The northern boreal forests are located south of the tundra

and are also called taigas. Their plants and animals
have adapted to very harsh winters. Pine and spruce
trees’ needle-like leaves can hold in water.
Many animals don’t stay in these forests during winter, they

travel south to warmer climates. Some animals, such as bears
and raccoons, hibernate in caves or burrows. Hibernation
means that an animal falls into a very deep sleep so
that it can save its energy until food sources are more
readily available.
110
There are many factors that can affect ecosystems. Natural
disasters can destroy parts of habitats. Pollution can also affect
life in an ecosystem, and harmful chemicals and waste can
destroy the environment. All these harmful actions can damage
the supply of basic needs for many species.
In Mexico, many ecosystems have been damaged. However,

there’s always a beacon of hope. There are many restoration
projects with the clear objective of helping ecosystems. For
example, there’s a project to restore the country’s northeast
region and the Sierra Madre Oriental. There are also people
working to restore the wetlands in the Gulf of Mexico. These
days, people are raising awareness on the importance of
looking after these habitats and promoting sustainable
development.
We can all help ecosystems survive. We can clean up

garbage and recycle, and follow the laws for protecting
their environment. Everyone can play a role in preserving our
ecosystems. After all, we’re part of the largest ecosystem in the
Solar System—Earth!
111
Story Report
Date: -,_ ..-; Genre: -,_ ..,;;
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

ecosystems habitats mega - diverse countries

ecosystems in dange raise awareness protect the environment

3. Which was your favorite biome? Draw and write.
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
4. What can you do to look after 5. What else are you

animal and plant habitats? reading now? Write title,
Give examples. author, and genre.
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
112
1. Reread these parts of the text and answer the questions.
Kangaroo rats are herbivores. They eat seeds of

bushes and grasses.
1. What is a herbivore?
-. .,.-.,,---;,-,.-,
,.,,- .,. -;,-..-,.
American bisons are large mammals that graze on the

Great Plains. They roam the land to eat the grass.
2. What does “roam” mean?
-. .,.-.,,---;,-,.-,
,.,,- .,. -;,-..-,.
The northern boreal forests are located south of the tundra

and are also called taigas. These forests have a cold, dry
climate. Their plants and animals have adapted to very harsh
winters. Pine and spruce trees’ needle-like leaves can hold
in water.
3. What is a harsh winter?
-. .,.-.,,---;,-,.-,
,.,,- .,. -;,-..-,.
113
Glossary
awareness: (n.) knowledge that something exists, or understanding of a

situation or subject at the present time based on information or experience.
camouflage: (v.) to hide (something) by covering it up or making it

harder to see.
cling: (v.) to stick onto or hold onto something or someone tightly.
deforestation: (n.) the cutting down of trees in a large area, or the

destruction of forests by people.
environment: (n.) the conditions that surround someone or something.
fertilize: (v.) to spread a natural or chemical substance on land or plants

in order to make it or them more fertile.
hibernate: (v.) (of some animals) to spend the winter sleeping.
pollution: (n.) substances that make land, water, air, etc., dirty and not
safe or suitable to use.
prey: (n.) an animal that is hunted and killed for food by another animal.
replenish: (v.) to fill something up again
rodent: (n.) any of various small mammals with large, sharp front teeth,
such as mice and rats.
shelter: (n.) place to be protected from bad weather, danger, or attack.
sustainable development: (n. phrase) economic development that is

conducted without depletion of natural resources.
114
The
City
of
Birds Illustrated by
Tania Recio
Adapted from The Birds by

Aristophanes
115
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
EUELPIDES and PISTHETAERUS: Elderly Greek

citizens who are sick of living in Athens.
EPOPS: King of the birds. He was once a human

named Tereus, but was transformed into
a hoopoe.
HERALD: A messenger for the Greek people.
PRIEST: A person who helps make sacrifices
IRIS: A messenger goddess who can fl .
PROMETHEUS: Greek god who created humankind

and stole the fire from the gods to give it to the
humans. Zeus punished him, but he escaped.
POSEIDON: Greek god of the sea and

Zeus’s brother.
HERACLES: Zeus’s son and divine hero. He has

extraordinary strength and courage, but is not
too smart. He loves food.
MESSENGERS
CHORUS OF BIRDS: The voice of all the birds.
116
A wild, desolate tract of open
country. Broken rocks and brushwood
occupy the center of the stage. Two
actors dressed as birds, wearing large
bird masks, are leading Euelpides
and Pisthetaerus.
117
118
EUELPIDES: Have we finally arrived at the Kingdom of
the Birds?
PISTHETAERUS: Here, knock on this rock.
EUELPIDES: Good idea! Ho there, within!
EPOPS: Who wants me?
EUELPIDES: We are mortals from the land of Athens who wish

to pay you a visit.
EPOPS: What for?
EUELPIDES: You have all human knowledge as well as that

of birds. We have come to beg you to direct us to some
comfortable town to relax in—a utopia of sorts. A place
without the lawsuits or crazy characters of Athens.
PISTHETAERUS: I have a great plan that will transfer the

supreme power to the birds.
EPOPS: What is this great plan?
PISTHETAREUS: Find a city in the clouds and the sky and

fortify it with great walls. This way, you will reign over
humankind. When people feed the gods with sacrifices, the
smoke of the sacrifices will pass through your land and will
reach the gods for their nourishment. Unless the gods pay
you to allow this passage, they will starve.
119
EPOPS: By gods, I have never heard of anything
more cleverly conceived! We will keep all the food.
Let us tell the other birds. I shall call them. Here,
birdy, birdy, birdy! Here, birdy, birdy, birdy!
CHORUS OF BIRDS: Where is he who called us?

What good things have you to tell us?
PISTHETAERUS: I am bursting with desire to speak

to you, since you were at one time kings.
CHORUS OF BIRDS: Were we kings? Over whom?
PISTHETAERUS: It was the birds, not the gods, who

once ruled over people. The strongest proof of
all is that Zeus is represented as standing with an
eagle on his head as a symbol of his royalty. His
daughter has an owl and his servant, Phoebus,
has a hawk.
120
EUELPIDES: What are all these birds doing in the sky?
PISTHETAERUS: When anyone is sacrificed to the gods, these birds take

their share before Zeus. Formerly people always swore by the birds and
never by the gods.
CHORUS OF BIRDS: Please, tell us what must be done.
PISTHETAERUS: First, I advise that the birds gather together in one city
and that they build a great wall to divide Earth from heavens. People’s
sacrifices will be ours. e deserve that food. Next, demand the empire
back from Zeus. And, if he refuses, you declare war and forbid the gods to
pass through your country. Then, you send a messenger to humankind
to proclaim that the birds are kings. People must first sacrifice to birds
and, only afterward, to the gods.
EPOPS: By Zeus, it is no longer the time to delay! Let us act as promptly as

possible. Eat this root and you will grow wings!
PISTHETAERUS: You look like a goose painted by a blind artist.
EUELPIDES: And you look like a close-shaven blackbird.
EPOPS: Come now, what must be done?
PISTHETAERUS: First give our city a great and famous name and then
make a sacrifice
EUELPIDES: It should be some name

borrowed from the clouds.
PHISTHETAERUS: Do you like Cloud-Cuckoo-Town?
121
EPOPS: Oh, a brilliant thought!
PISTHETAERUS: Go, friend. Go help the workers who are building the
wall. I must help the new gods with the sacrifice and go to summon
the Priest who will preside at the ceremony.
EPOPS: Priest, it is high time to sacrifice to the new gods.
PRIEST: I begin: We pray to the gods of the birds and to all the god- and
goddess-birds who dwell in the sky...
MESSENGER: Where is Pisthetaerus, our leader?
PISTHETAERUS: Here I am.
MESSENGER: The wall is finished.
PISTHETAERUS: Why, they just started the wall five minutes ago—that s
surprisingly good news!
MESSENGER: It is the most beautiful and most magnificent work of art

with the length of one hundred stadia—I measured it myself.
CHORUS OF BIRDS: Well, aren’t you astonished at the wall being

completed so quickly?
PISTHETAERUS: By the gods, yes!
MESSENGERS: A horrible outrage has occurred! A god sent by Zeus has

passed through our gates and has penetrated our defenses.
PISTHETAERUS: What god was it?
122
MESSENGER: We don’t know that, but we do know it has wings and
can fl .
PISTHETAERUS: Is that her over there? Hi, you woman, halt and don’t
move! Who are you and from what country?
IRIS: I am swift Iris, the messenger of Zeus to humankind, and I am on

my way to tell the humans to make animal sacrifices to the gods and to
fill their streets with the rich smoke of bu ning fat.
PISTHETAERUS: Of which gods are you speaking?
IRIS: Why, of ourselves, the Olympic gods.
PISTHETAERUS: You, gods?
IRIS: Are there others, then, that I have not heard of?
PISTHETAERUS: Humans now adore the birds as gods; it is to us that they

now offer sacrifices and not to Zeus at all!
IRIS: Are you cuckoo?
PISTHETAERUS: No, actually, I am more like a close-shaven blackbird.

Thank you for asking.
CHORUS OF BIRDS: We forbid the gods of Olympus to pass through

our city and the mortals to send them the smoke of their sacrifices
by this road.
HERALD: I shall tell Zeus of your bird-brained scheme! Oh, blessed

Pisthetaerus, all humankind is filled with admiration for your wisdom
and they award you this golden crown.
123
124
PISTHETAERUS: I accept it. Who is this approaching?
PROMETHEUS: By the gods, I hope Zeus does not catch sight of me!
Where is Pisthetaerus?
PISTHETAERUS: Who is this masked man?
PROMETHEUS: Can you see any god behind me?
PISTHETAERUS: No, none. But who are you? Ah, my dear Prometheus!
PROMETHEUS: Hush, don’t say my name too loudly, for you will be my
ruin if Zeus should find me here. I have news for you: it is all over with
Zeus since you founded this city in the air. Humans no longer sacrifice
to the gods. The smoke of the sacrifices no longer reaches them and the
gods are starving. Zeus plans to send deputies here to look for peace, but
do not retreat unless Zeus restores the scepter to the birds and gives you
Basileia in marriage.
PISTHETAERUS: Who is this Basileia?
PROMETHEUS: A very lovely young damsel who makes the lightning

for Zeus. All good things come from her—wisdom, good laws, virtue,
the fleet, and the public paymaste .
PISTHETAERUS: Ah, then she is a sort of general manager to the gods.
125
126
PROMETHEUS: Yes, precisely. If he gives you her for your wife, you will
have almighty power. That is what I have come to tell you, for you
know my constant and habitual goodwill toward mankind.
PISTHETAERUS: Oh, yes! It is thanks to you that we roast our meat.
PROMETHEUS: I must return before I am discovered.
HERACLES: Cloud-Cuckoo-Town, we come as ambassadors of the gods

looking for peace! You had better give us good tweetment. Get it?
POSEIDON: We have no interest to serve in fighting you so be friends to

us and we promise to help and protect you.
PISTHETAERUS: We will agree to peace if Zeus yields his scepter to the

birds. If this is agreed to, I invite you to dinner tonight. Dinner?
HERACLES: Well, that is good enough for me! I vote for peace.
POSEIDON: You wretch! You are a fool who will do anything for food.
Do you want to dethrone your own father?
PISTHETAERUS: What an error! Why, the gods will be much more

powerful if the birds govern Earth. At present, the mortals are hidden
beneath the clouds and escape your observation.
127
128
PISTHETAERUS: For example, if a man vows
to offer a sacrifice to some god and then
procrastinates, pretending that the gods can
wait, and thus does not keep his word, we shall
punish his stinginess. If mortals misbehave in
any other way, we shall remind them of who
flies and poops on high!
POSEIDON: Well thought of. By Poseidon,

I consent.
HERACLES: My notion, too. We shall accord

you the scepter—here you go.
PISTHETAERUS: Ah! I nearly forgot my other

condition: young Basileia must be given to
me in marriage.
POSEIDON: Then you do not want peace. Let

us withdraw, for I will not give in to such
fowl play.
HERACLES: Are we going to war about a woman?
POSEIDON: Oh, you dodo, do you always want

to be fooled? If Zeus were to die, you would be
ruined, for you are the heir to all of his wealth.
PISTHETAERUS: Oh, by the gods, your uncle is

tricking you, my poor friend! The law will not
allow you one ounce of your father’s property,
for you are a bastard and not a legitimate child.
HERACLES: Am I a bastard? What is that you

tell me?
PISTHETAERUS: Why, certainly. Are you not

born of a woman other than his wife?
HERACLES: But, what if my father wished to

give me his property on his deathbed?
129
PISTHETAERUS: The law forbids it and this same Poseidon
would be the first to lay claim to his wealth by virtue of
being his legitimate brother.
HERACLES: And would I get anything?
PISTHETAERUS: Absolutely nothing! But, if you want to fight

it, join my flock. I will make you a king and will feed you on
bird’s seeds and honey.
HERACLES: Your further condition seems fair to me and you

shall have the damsel.
POSEIDON: Very well, make peace and I’ll hold my tongue.
HERACLES: We will grant you all that you ask, but, come up
there with us to receive Basileia and the celestial bounty.
PISTHETAERUS: [He is entering with his bride at his side.]

Fortune loads us with her blessings. This marriage brings
luck to Cloud-Cuckoo-Town, as it is through Pisthetaerus
that the birds are called to such glorious destinies! Now let
us celebrate! Stretch forth your hands, my dear wife, take
hold of me by my wings, and we shall dance. I am going
to lift you up and carry you through the air.
CHORUS OF BIRDS: Oh, joy! Victory is ours!
130
Story Report
Date: -,_ ..-; Genre: -,_ ..,;;
1. Did you like the play? Color the bar.
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

kingdom of the birds wall starve Zeus

sue for peace marriage mortals misbehave

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
4. Do you like plays? What was 5. What else are you

the last one you read about? reading now? Write title,
Describe. author, and genre.
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
131
Find in the Story
1. Find three Greek Gods mentioned in the story

and write their names.
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
2. Find three characters (not gods), write their names and describe
what they do.
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
3. Find three sentences about the gods’ “food” and write them.
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
132
Glossary
damsel: (n.) (archaic) a young unmarried woman of noble birth.
demand: (v.) to ask for something forcefully, in a way that shows

that you do not expect to be refused.
dethrone: (v.) to remove a king or queen from his or her position

of power.
forbid: (v.) to order (someone) not to do something.
formerly: (adv.) at an earlier time.
gate: (n.) a part of a fence or outside wall that is fixed at one side
and opens and closes like a door.
lawsuit: (n.) a case taken to a law court.
misbehave: (v.) to behave badly.
nourishment: (n.) food that you need to grow and stay healthy.
proof: (n.) something which shows that something else is true or correct.
starve: (v.) to perish from lack of food.
summon: (v.) to order (someone) to come to or be present at

a particular place.
withdraw: (v.) to take or move out or back, or to remove.
133
Clean-up
Day
Written by
Patricia E. Acosta
Illustrated by
Axel Rangel
My friends and I love to help out! Every week, we set aside some time to
volunteer. Sometimes, we volunteer together. Other times, we volunteer
by ourselves. No matter how we do it, we always find ways
to help others in our community.
134
A few weeks ago, my friends and I We knew that planning for a clean-
got together to plan a “Let’s Clean up day would take a lot of work and
Up Our City” event. We wanted to dedication, but we really wanted to
have a special day when people motivate people to take care of our
would come together and help us city. We also wanted members of
clean up the litter in our streets. our community to get to know one
another.
“How are we going to get people to “I guess we’ll have to think about
volunteer, Julian?” Lisa asked me. the things that we do best,” said
Lisa. “Maybe we can do some
“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe we of those things to bring people
could use our talents to together and help clean up
convince them.” our city.”
“How do we know what our The very next day, I had a plan.
talents are?” asked John.
135
Every Friday afternoon, my mom Mom smiled. “Julian, I’m so
and I volunteer to help out at a proud of you,” she said. “I love
soup kitchen. There, I help my the way you make people laugh.
mom serve food to the homeless I think you know exactly how to
and other people in need. My talk to people to make them
favorite task is helping them feel good!”
carry their food to the table. I love
doing that because it gives me a “Thanks,” I said, as I felt my
chance to talk to them and listen cheeks turning red. “Do you really
to their stories. I also enjoy think so?”
telling them my own stories
and making them laugh. She nodded.
One day, while we were there, After recalling the soup kitchen,
my mom asked me, “What did I knew what to do. “Maybe, I
you say to those guys? They were could talk to some people and
laughing so hard they almost encourage them to volunteer,”
spilled their soup!” I said. “I think I could make them
feel good about helping us clean
“I just told them an old up the city.”
joke,” I said.
“I think that’s a great idea!”
Mom said.
136
The next morning, I met Manny at Then, I noticed several kids looking
the park. Manny is great at playing at Manny as if he were the world’s
sports, so every Saturday he greatest ball player.
volunteers to help his aunt coach
a community baseball team. “We can talk about it after the
There, he helps younger kids learn game. Those kids really want you
how to bat and throw the ball. He to go play baseball with them,”
also teaches them to work hard and I said.
to be nice to one another.
“And I can’t wait to start a game
“You look worried today,” with them!” he said, heading back
I said, noticing the frown on to the baseball diamond.
Manny’s forehead.
I was surprised by the way all the
“I’m just a little sad because I still kids looked up to Manny. He had a
don’t know how I can motivate talent for sports, but what Manny
families to participate in our clean- did best was inspiring people
up day,” Manny said. around him. When the game was
over, we both knew exactly what
“I’m sure you’ll find something you Manny could do to motivate some
can do. If I were you, I’d families to participate in our clean-
think about the things I enjoy,” up day: just be himself.
I told him.
137
While Manny was talking to woman. “We enjoyed listening to
families and playing ball with the your sweet voices. You girls have a
kids, Lisa was busy rehearsing lot of talent!”
with her choir. Lisa has a
beautiful voice, so she spends a lot “Thanks,” Lisa said. Then, she
of her free time singing in a choir. looked curiously at the woman.
Lisa’s choir is very special because “Do you think I could inspire
they sing in places where people people with my voice?”
don’t get many visitors or have
much entertainment. “Of course, dear,” the woman
said. “You can inspire anyone
On Sunday afternoon, I watched with a voice like yours!”
Lisa’s choir sing at a local nursing
home. The elderly people who were “Thank you,” Lisa said, and she
living at the home were delighted gave the woman a big hug.
to listen to the choir. After the choir
finished singing, one woman too The next day, Lisa handed me a
Lisa’s hand and thanked her for CD. She had recorded a song
visiting their home. inviting families to participate in
our clean-up day.
“You’ve brought so much
happiness to our hearts,” said the
138
On Tuesday, my friends and I got said Lang. “I promised these kids
together to play soccer after school, that I’d finish painting their tree
but our friend Lang didn’t show up house this afternoon. They’ve
for practice. We were worried about been working very hard to fix it.
him, because he never misses our
games. When practice was over, we “WOW, it looks nice!” said John.
decided to go visit him. “I didn’t know you could paint
that well.”
On our way to Lang’s home, we
heard him call our names from a “Thanks! Neither did I!”
distance. We looked around said Lang.
us, but we couldn’t find him. Then
we looked up, and there he was! “Do you think you could paint
Lang was painting a mural on a some posters for our special clean-
tree house across the street. Four up day?” asked John.
boys were standing on the ground
and tossing him brushes and tubes “I’d love to,” said Lang.
of paint.
“Can we help, too?” asked one of
“What are you doing?” asked Lisa, the boys.
“we missed you at soccer practice.”
“That’s a great idea,” I told
“I’m so sorry, guys! I forgot to tell them. “Let’s make some posters
you that I couldn’t play today,” together.”
139
John was very excited about the we appreciate what you did to
posters Lang had painted. He make our parks so beautiful,”
told us that his favorite was a explained Lang.
drawing of a park full of trees
and beautiful plants. John looked puzzled.
“I’m glad you like it,” Lang said “All I did was help plant some
with a big smile on his face. “I trees,” he said.
painted it in your honor.”
“No, John. You did more than
“What do you mean?” asked John. that,” said Lisa.
“I painted that picture not only to Linda nodded her head and said,
motivate people to clean up our “Come to the park and we’ll
parks, but also to show how much show you.”
When we got to the park, a family volunteered to help plant a

was having a picnic under a tree, tree, you made this place better
and several kids were playing hide- for them.”
and-seek in the bushes. Nearby,
a man was sitting in the shade “And for us!” added Lang. “That’s
reading a newspaper. why we wanted to make a poster in
your honor.”
“John, do you see what you
did?” asked Lisa. “Every time you
140
I knew that Linda was happy to “When I help my friends with their
help with the posters, but she was math skills, I always make sure
a little disappointed because that they understand the math
she still didn’t know how to use problem before I teach them how
her talents to motivate people to to solve it.”
volunteer. Linda was very good
at teaching other students how to “So did you do the same thing with
solve math problems. However, she our littering problem?” I asked.
couldn’t figure out how this would
help her get people to clean up “Exactly,” she said. “First, I made
our streets. sure that students understood that
littering is a big problem because
Two days later, I saw Linda in it pollutes our streets and can
the school cafeteria. She had a make us ill. Then, I explained that
huge smile on her face. we could solve that problem by
disposing of our trash properly and
“I found a way to get students by working together to clean up
to help us clean up our city!” the streets. Now, everyone wants to
she exclaimed. volunteer for our clean-up day!”
“That sounds great! How did you

do it?” I was curious to find out
141
After many days of hard work, it the local stores swept the streets.
was finally time for our “Let s Neighbors from the area cleaned
Clean Up Our City” event. People up the sidewalks. Men from
from all over the city came to the soup kitchen recycled cans.
help out. Students from our school Younger kids from the local sports
picked up trash. Workers from teams handed out cups of water.
142
By the time the event was over, My friends and I knew that if we
the city was cleaner—and we were used our talents to help others,
tired. However, none of us seemed we could make a difference in our
to mind the hard work. We were community. We never expected to
pleased because we knew that have so much fun doing it!
we were working to improve life
in our city. Also, we were happy
because we got a chance to make
new friends.
143
Story Report
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volunteer community help

encourage special day team work

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
4. Do you help in your community? 5. What else are you

What can you do to help? reading now? Write title,
author, and genre.
; ; ; ; ;
; ; ; ; ;
; ; ; ; ;
; ; ; ; ;
144
Find in the Story
1. Find three moments where the children

mention the things they are good at and
write them.
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
2. Find three things that are done on the

clean-up day and write them.
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
3. Find three people that join this special

day and write them.
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
,.,,- .,. -;,
145
Glossary
appreciate: (v.) to value or admire highly.
aside: (adv.) on or to one side.
disappointed: (adj.) unhappy because

someone or something was not as good as you
hoped or expected.
encourage: (v.) to make (someone) more

determined, hopeful, or confident
homeless: (adj.) without a home.
litter: (n.) small pieces of rubbish that have been

left lying on the ground in public places.
nod: (v.) to move your head up and down as a way

of answering “yes.”
puzzled: (adj.) confused because you do not

understand something.
record: (v.) to store (sounds, music, images, etc.)

using electronic equipment so that it can be heard
or seen later.
rehearse: (v.) to practice a play, piece of music, etc.

in preparation for a public performance.
sidewalk: (n.) a path with a hard surface on one

or both sides of a road, where people walk on.
146
Speeches that
Changed
the World
Adapted by Jesica Graziano
147
The United States of America have a
dream. This dream is found in the heart
of every citizen. It’s whispered by every
immigrant. It’s as alive today as it was when
the first settlers arrived in this count y. It’s the
American Dream.
Everyone has dreams. Usually, dreams fill us

with energy to move on. We hope things will
change or be different. However, our dreams
don’t always come true easily or quickly.
Sometimes many obstacles appear along
the way, and they have to be overcome.
Martin Luther King Jr. and Malala Yousafzai
are two clear examples of people fighting for
equal rights.
148
149
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Speech
On August 28th, 1963, members of the Civil

Rights Movement organized a march in
Washington. More than 250,000 people of all
races banded together to demand equal rights. It
was a day all Americans would remember. The
march was widely broadcast.
People from all across the country tuned in to

this historic event on their radios and televisions.
Musicians played songs. Organization
representatives gave speeches. Martin Luther
King Jr.’s speech was the most memorable of
them all.
150
Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. When he
addressed the nation, people realized that his
dream was their dream, too. King influenced
President John F. Kennedy to make much
needed changes in the country. This helped end
discrimination and enforce equal rights for all.
King’s speech helped make the American

Dream a reality. In the following pages you
will read an adaptation from the original
speech, which was a little longer. Here you can
appreciate King’s will and determination
when addressing the people.
151
152
I am happy to join with you on this day. Today will go down
as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of
our nation. Five-score years ago, a great American signed the
Emancipation Proclamation. This came as a great beacon of
hope to millions of Negro slaves. It was the dawn to end the
long night of their captivity.
But, one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free.
He is still crippled by the chains of segregation and
discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives in
poverty while the world around him prospers. One hundred
years later, the Negro still wastes away in the corners of
American society. He finds himself an exile in his own land.
We’ve come here today to correct this problem.
In a sense, we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check.

When the founding fathers wrote the Constitution and the
Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promise to
every American. They promised that all men, yes, black men
as well as white men, would be guaranteed “unalienable
rights.” These included the right to “life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness.”
It is obvious today that America has failed in this promise.

America has given the Negro people a bad check. This check
has come back marked “insufficient funds.
153
154
We refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We
refuse to believe that this nation’s vaults of opportunity are
empty. And so, we’ve come to cash this check. We’ve come
to demand the riches of freedom. We’ve come to demand
the security of justice.
Today, we must address the urgency of Now. Now

is the time to take action. Now is the time to demand the
promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the
darkness of segregation to the light of equality. Now is the
time to move from racial injustice to brotherhood! Now
is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.
Our nation cannot ignore the urgency of this moment. 1963

is not an end. It is a beginning. Some think that the Negro
needed to blow off steam. But we will not be content without
freedom and equality. There will be no peace until America
grants the Negro his citizenship rights. The revolt will
continue until the light of justice emerges.
My people now stand on the threshold of justice. But we must

not be guilty of wrongful deeds. We must not drink from
the cup of hatred to satisfy our thirst for freedom. We must
always behave with dignity and discipline. We must not allow
our protests to become violent. We must always meet physical
force with soul force. Our revolt must not lead the Negro
community to distrust all white people. Many of our white
brothers are here today. They have begun to realize that their
destiny is tied to ours. They recognize that their freedom is
bound to our freedom.
155
We cannot walk alone. And as we walk,
we must make the pledge that we shall
always march ahead. We cannot turn back.
There are those who ask us, “When will you

be satisfied?
We can never be satisfied. Not as long as we

suffer from police brutality. Not as long as we
cannot lodge in the hotels of our choice.
156
Not as long as we are confined to the
ghetto. Not as long as our children are
robbed of their dignity by a sign stating:
“For Whites Only.”
We cannot be satisfied when a Negro in

Mississippi cannot vote. Nor can we be satisfied
while a Negro in New York believes he has
nothing to vote for. No, no, we are not satisfied.
And we will not be satisfied. Not until “justice
rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a
mighty stream.”
I know that some of you have come here out of

great trials and tribulations. Some came fresh
from narrow jail cells. Some came from areas
battered by persecution and police brutality. You
are the veterans of suffering. Continue to have
faith that your suffering will bring redemption.
Go back to Mississippi. Go back to Alabama. Go

back to South Carolina. Go back to Georgia.
Go back to Louisiana. Go back to the slums and
ghettos of our northern cities. Go back knowing
that this situation can and will be changed.
157
158
Let us not wallow in our despair. Let us face the
difficulties ahead.
I have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the

American Dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up. That
it will “hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal.”
I have a dream that one day the sons of former slaves and
former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the
table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day the Deep South, that desert
of injustice, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom
and justice.
I have a dream: One day my four little children will be

judged by the content of their character and not by the
color of their skin.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream: One day, down in Alabama, little black

boys and black girls will join hands with little white boys
and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted.

Every hill and mountain shall be made low. The rough
places will be made plain. The crooked places will be made
straight. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and
all flesh shall see it togethe .” This is our hope. This is the
faith that I go back to the south with.
With this faith, we will carve a stone of hope from the

mountain of despair. With this faith, we will be able to
transform our nation into a symphony of brotherhood.
With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray
together, to struggle together, to go to jail together,
to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will
be free one day.
159
And this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able
to sing with new meaning:
“My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!”
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
And so let freedom ring from the hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the slopes of California.
But not only that:
Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, we allow freedom to ring. It will ring

from every village and hamlet. It will ring from every state
and city. Thus, we will be able to speed up that day when
all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and
Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics will be able to join hands.
Together, they will sing the words of the old Negro spiritual:
“Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
160
Malala Yousafzai’s United Nations Speech
Malala Yousafzai is a female activist that has been fighting for education.
On July 12th, 2013, she gave her first public speech after being attacked by
the Taliban in Pakistan. Here you can read a summary of her speech:
Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to speak up again. It is a

pleasure and I will always remember this day.
How can I start? I wish I knew what you want me to say. Before I start, I
would like to thank God and every person who has prayed for me. You
have been very nice to me. Thank you, thank you. Malala Day is for all.
Malala Day is the day in which we remember all who have fought for
their rights. And these rights are not only human rights but also rights
related to education, peace, and equality. Terrorism has taken away or
hurt the lives of millions, and I am one of them.
161
Today, I speak on behalf of all girls and boys. We deserve
to live in peace and be treated equally, with dignity. There
should not be obstacles in terms of education. Everyone
has the right to study. We can fight for this. e can do this
together. Let’s spread the word! Our words can change
the world.
Millions are suffering from poverty, injustice, and ignorance.

We must not forget them or those who are out of school. We
should be united.
Grab a pen and a book and join the fight. They are our most
powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one pen, and one
book can change the world.
162
Story Report
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speech equal rights Martin Luther King Jr.

segregation ghettos Negro slave Malala Yousafzai
education equality fight

3. Which was your favorite part? Explain.

4. Which values are important to you? Give examples.


163
1. Read these parts of the story and choose

the correct option. Then, write.
On August 28, 1963, members of the

Civil Rights Movement organized a
march in Washington. More than
250,000 people of all races banded
together to demand equal rights.
1. What does “banded together” mean?
a. read b. formed a group c. walked

2. Use “band together” in a sentence.
-. .,.-.,,---;,-,.-,
,.,,- .,. -;,-..-,.
We can never be satisfied. Not as long as we suffer from polic

brutality. Not as long as we cannot lodge in the hotels of our choice.
3. What does “lodge” mean?
a. live b. fight c. stay

4. Use “lodge” in a sentence.
-. .,.-.,,---;,-,.-,
,.,,- .,. -;,-..-,.
Everyone has the right to study. We

can fight for this. e can do this
together. Let’s spread the word!
Our words can change the world.
5. What does “spread the word” mean?
a. answer a question
b. tell everyone c. spell a word
6. Use “spread the word” in a sentence.
-. .,.-.,,---;,-,.-,
,.,,- .,. -;,-..-,.
164
Glossary
address: (v.) to speak or write to someone.
broadcast: (v.) to make public by means of television or radio.
brotherhood: (n.) feelings of friendship, support, and understanding

between people.
captivity: (n.) the state of being held prisoner.
despair: (n.) the feeling that there is no hope.
enforce: (v.) to make people obey a law, or to make a particular situation

happen or be accepted.
ghetto: (n.) an area of a city, especially a very poor area, where people of
particular race or religion live together and apart from other people.
segregation: (n.) the practice or policy of keeping people of different

races, religions, etc., separate from each other.
slum: (n.) a very poor and crowded area, especially in a city.
unalienable rights: (n. phrase) rights that cannot be taken away

or denied.
165
Recommendations
“The Lost City of Pompeii”
• Peril in Pompeii! by Nel Yomtov

• Secrets of Pompeii by Tim O’Shei
• The Worst Volcanic Eruptions of All Time by Suzanne Garbe
“Puck and the Purple Flower”
• Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

• Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
• Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare
“The Evolution of Light”
• Thomas Edison and the Lightbulb by Scott R. Welvaert

• The Illuminating World of Light with Max Axiom, Super Scientist by
Emily Sohn
• The World’s Oddest Inventions by Nadia Higgins
“There Will Come Soft Rains: A Story about

the Future”
• U.S. Military Robots by Barbara Alpert
• Robots at Your Service: From the Factory to Your Home
by Kathryn Clay
• Military Drones by Matt Chandler
166
Recommendations
“Team Work”
• Unusual and Awesome Jobs Using Technology: Roller Coaster

Designer, Space Robotics Engineer, and More by Linda LeBoutillier
• Ride that Roller Coaster!: Forces at an Amusement Park by Louise
and Richard Spilsbury
• The World’s Fastest Machines by Marcie Aboff
“Tom Sawyer: An Adventure”
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
• The Everglades Poacher Who Pretended by Steve Brezenoff
“Earth Is a Wonderful Place”
• Endangered Rain Forests: Investigating Rain Forests in Crisis

by Rani Iyer
• Endangered Rivers: Investigating Rivers in Crisis by Rani Iyer
• Exploring Ecosystems with Max Axiom, Super Scientist
by Agnieszka Biskup
167
Recommendations
“The City of Birds”
• Perseus and Medusa retold by Blake A. Hoena

• The Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology by Don Nardo
• Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses by Christopher Forest
“Clean-up Day”
• How Effective Is Recycling? by Catherine Chambers

• Reducing Pollution and Waste by Jen Green
• Huskies, Mastiffs, and Other Working Dogs by Tammy Gagne
“Speeches that Changed the World”
• For the Right to Learn by Rebecca Langston-George

• School in the Civil Rights Movement by Rachel A. Koestler-Grack
• Reconstruction: Outcomes of the Civil War by Susan S. Wittman
168

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6

Content Director Ernesto Alonso Núñez Mejía

General Director José Carlos Dosal Montero

Impreso en México / Printed in Mexico

© Sistemas Educativos de Enseñanza, S. A. de C.V.

First Edition June 2019

I like stories that are...

The Lost City of Pompeii  6

Puck and the Purple Flower  19

The Evolution of Light  38

There Will Come Soft Rains:

Tom Sawyer: An Adventure  83

The City of Birds  115

Clean-up Day  134

Speeches That Changed

Pompeii was located in Western Italy, in a region

It was an international city with a population

The first wa ning came on February 6, 62 CE. That day, a

Finally, on August 24th, Mount Vesuvius started to erupt.

Though the population of Pompeii at the time of the eruption was

After Pompeii was buried and lost to history,

During that period, Pompeii lay hidden. Then, in

Mount Vesuvius itself also went through many

Excavators found that the ash that fell on

Around 1,500 remains of bodies were also found

Today, only three-fifths of the city have been

Mount Vesuvius hasn’t erupted since 1944. Over

While scientists believe that Vesuvius isn’t

Today, scientists are constantly monitoring

Currently, an emergency evacuation of the cities

Title: -,_ ..;,. Type of text: ;, ,.;,.,,;

1. Did you like the text? Color the bar.

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Pompeii trading city Mount Vesuvius eruption

3. Which was your favorite passage? Explain.

4. Which city would you like to read about? Why?

1. Complete the chart with the events in the box.

a. A loud roar was heard all over town.

blanket: (v.) to cover with or as if with

dormant: (adj.) not active.

fade: (v.) to lose strength.

poisonous: (adj.) producing a toxic substance

preserve: (v.) to protect; to keep safe from

pump: (n.) a device that raises and transfers

pyroclastic surge: (n. phrase) mass of gas and

roar: (n.) a loud continuous sound.

trade: (v.) to buy and sell goods or services.

tremor: (n.) a slight earthquake.

vineyard: (n.) a field where vines are grown

“Hello, fairy,” called Puck. “Where are you going?”

“I have an errand to run for Queen Titania,” replied the fairy.

Titania spoke, “Still trying to hamper my business, husband, because

“You’re my wife and you’re supposed to obey me!”

“Sure, just give me the boy first,” reasoned Oberon

“Never. Never mind, let’s go!”

“Puck, there’s a certain purple flower that

As Puck hurried off, Oberon spotted two Athenian

“I no longer love you, so stop following me,” said

The Lost City of Pompeii 6

Puck and the Purple Flower 19

The Evolution of Light 38

Tom Sawyer: An Adventure 83

The City of Birds 115

Clean-up Day 134