Useful Weeds of the Sea/Secret Message

Seaweed may not be on many shopping lists, but it plays a big part in people's everyday lives. Seaweed is a plant that grows in the shallow water near the shores of the world's oceans.

In some parts of the world, especially near the ocean, people eat seaweed all by itself. It has lots of vitamins and is a healthy treat. In places where seaweed is not served as a meal, people use goods that are made fro these plants. Hundreds of everyday items have seaweed in them.

Seaweed helps many people keep their teeth clean. Toothpaste stays thick when it comes out of the tube because of a gel from a type of red seaweed. No one can see the seaweed in the toothpaste because it is mixed with the gel. This gel is in shampoo and makeup too.

Without seaweed, ice cream and yogurt would not be as thick or creamy but would seem rather lumpy and watery. Many people eat foods with seaweed without even knowing it.

Seaweed also helps plants grow. Many farmers around the world spray their fields with seaweed. They buy the seaweed after is has been made into a liquid. The seaweed becomes food for the plants. The vegetables on people's plates often come fro these farms.

People cannot see seaweed in the foods they eat or in the items they use to look their best. However, none of these things would be the same without the useful weed that comes from the sea.

Some people eat seaweed all by itself because they most likely--

• Do not know it is used in other foods

• eat many foods that come from the ocean

• enjoy foods that add color to the meals they eat

• do not like how it tastes mixed with other foods

Seaweed may not be on many shopping lists, but it plays a big part in people's everyday lives. Seaweed is a plant that grows in the shallow water near the shores of the world's oceans.

In some parts of the world, especially near the ocean, people eat seaweed all by itself. It has lots of vitamins and is a healthy treat. In places where seaweed is not served as a meal, people use goods that are made fro these plants. Hundreds of everyday items have seaweed in them.

Seaweed helps many people keep their teeth clean. Toothpaste stays thick when it comes out of the tube because of a gel from a type of red seaweed. No one can see the seaweed in the toothpaste because it is mixed with the gel. This gel is in shampoo and makeup too.

Without seaweed, ice cream and yogurt would not be as thick or creamy but would seem rather lumpy and watery. Many people eat foods with seaweed without even knowing it.

Seaweed also helps plants grow. Many farmers around the world spray their fields with seaweed. They buy the seaweed after is has been made into a liquid. The seaweed becomes food for the plants. The vegetables on people's plates often come fro these farms.

People cannot see seaweed in the foods they eat or in the items they use to look their best. However, none of these things would be the same without the useful weed that comes from the sea.

The author wrote this article most likely to--

• gives facts about an ocean plant.

• list kinds of ocean plants.

• tell about people who eat ocean plants.

• tell how to cook with ocean plants.

Seaweed may not be on many shopping lists, but it plays a big part in people's everyday lives. Seaweed is a plant that grows in the shallow water near the shores of the world's oceans.

In some parts of the world, especially near the ocean, people eat seaweed all by itself. It has lots of vitamins and is a healthy treat. In places where seaweed is not served as a meal, people use goods that are made fro these plants. Hundreds of everyday items have seaweed in them.

Seaweed helps many people keep their teeth clean. Toothpaste stays thick when it comes out of the tube because of a gel from a type of red seaweed. No one can see the seaweed in the toothpaste because it is mixed with the gel. This gel is in shampoo and makeup too.

Without seaweed, ice cream and yogurt would not be as thick or creamy but would seem rather lumpy and watery. Many people eat foods with seaweed without even knowing it.

Seaweed also helps plants grow. Many farmers around the world spray their fields with seaweed. They buy the seaweed after is has been made into a liquid. The seaweed becomes food for the plants. The vegetables on people's plates often come fro these farms.

People cannot see seaweed in the foods they eat or in the items they use to look their best. However, none of these things would be the same without the useful weed that comes from the sea.

Which question is answered in the above article?

• What does seaweed taste like?

• Where do farmers buy seaweed?

• Which ocean has the most seaweed?

• Which goods have seaweed in them?

Want to Send a Secret Message?

The next time you want to send a secret message, try one of these fun ideas!

Mirror Message

-A potato

-A potato peeler or knife

-A bathroom mirror

1. Ask a grownup to peel the skin from one end of the potato.

2. Using the peeled end of the potato, write a messaqge in big letters on the bathroom mirror.

3. Your message will be invisible until you take a bath or shower. When you take a shower or a bath, close the door so the steam stays in the bathroom. Steam from the hot water will appear on the mirror and make your message show.

Surprise someone else! Write a message on the bathroom mirror for a family member. See how long it takes for the person to discover your secret message.

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Lemony Letter

-A lemon

-A knife

-A small cup

-A thin paintbrush

-A piece of white paper

-A lamp

1. To have enough juice, gently roll the lemon back and forth against the table with your palm.

2. Have a grownup cut the lemon in half.

3. Squeeze the lemon so the juice drips into the cup.

4. Dip the paintbrush into the juice and write a message on the paper. When the "ink" dries, the paper will appear blank.

5. Give your secret message to a friend or family member.

6. Have the person who receives your message hold the paper near a light bulb. The heat will make the secret message appear. The lemon juice will turn a brown color.

Secret messages have been around for hundreds of years. Spies used them to pass important information without being caught.

Crazy Crayon

-A piece of white paper

-A white crayon

-Dark-colored paint

-A paintbrush

1. Using the white crayon, write your message on the paper. It will be difficult to see the markings so be careful.

2. Give your secret message to a friend.

3. Have your friend use the paintbrush to spread the paint over the paper. The message will appear on the paper as the person paints.

It's amazing! The paint does not stick to the waxy crayon, so the words will show through.

Follow the directions carefully to keep your message a secret!

What makes the secret message appear in "Lemony Letter"?

• heat

• light

• juice

• water

Want to Send a Secret Message?

The next time you want to send a secret message, try one of these fun ideas!

Mirror Message

-A potato

-A potato peeler or knife

-A bathroom mirror

1. Ask a grownup to peel the skin from one end of the potato.

2. Using the peeled end of the potato, write a messaqge in big letters on the bathroom mirror.

3. Your message will be invisible until you take a bath or shower. When you take a shower or a bath, close the door so the steam stays in the bathroom. Steam from the hot water will appear on the mirror and make your message show.

Surprise someone else! Write a message on the bathroom mirror for a family member. See how long it takes for the person to discover your secret message.

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Lemony Letter

-A lemon

-A knife

-A small cup

-A thin paintbrush

-A piece of white paper

-A lamp

1. To have enough juice, gently roll the lemon back and forth against the table with your palm.

2. Have a grownup cut the lemon in half.

3. Squeeze the lemon so the juice drips into the cup.

4. Dip the paintbrush into the juice and write a message on the paper. When the "ink" dries, the paper will appear blank.

5. Give your secret message to a friend or family member.

6. Have the person who receives your message hold the paper near a light bulb. The heat will make the secret message appear. The lemon juice will turn a brown color.

Secret messages have been around for hundreds of years. Spies used them to pass important information without being caught.

Crazy Crayon

-A piece of white paper

-A white crayon

-Dark-colored paint

-A paintbrush

1. Using the white crayon, write your message on the paper. It will be difficult to see the markings so be careful.

2. Give your secret message to a friend.

3. Have your friend use the paintbrush to spread the paint over the paper. The message will appear on the paper as the person paints.

It's amazing! The paint does not stick to the waxy crayon, so the words will show through.

Follow the directions carefully to keep your message a secret!

In "Mirror Message" when the steam in the bathroom is gone, the message will most likely-

• spread

• turn white

• disappear

• turn brown

Want to Send a Secret Message?

The next time you want to send a secret message, try one of these fun ideas!

Mirror Message

-A potato

-A potato peeler or knife

-A bathroom mirror

1. Ask a grownup to peel the skin from one end of the potato.

2. Using the peeled end of the potato, write a messaqge in big letters on the bathroom mirror.

3. Your message will be invisible until you take a bath or shower. When you take a shower or a bath, close the door so the steam stays in the bathroom. Steam from the hot water will appear on the mirror and make your message show.

Surprise someone else! Write a message on the bathroom mirror for a family member. See how long it takes for the person to discover your secret message.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lemony Letter

-A lemon

-A knife

-A small cup

-A thin paintbrush

-A piece of white paper

-A lamp

1. To have enough juice, gently roll the lemon back and forth against the table with your palm.

2. Have a grownup cut the lemon in half.

3. Squeeze the lemon so the juice drips into the cup.

4. Dip the paintbrush into the juice and write a message on the paper. When the "ink" dries, the paper will appear blank.

5. Give your secret message to a friend or family member.

6. Have the person who receives your message hold the paper near a light bulb. The heat will make the secret message appear. The lemon juice will turn a brown color.

Secret messages have been around for hundreds of years. Spies used them to pass important information without being caught.

Crazy Crayon

-A piece of white paper

-A white crayon

-Dark-colored paint

-A paintbrush

1. Using the white crayon, write your message on the paper. It will be difficult to see the markings so be careful.

2. Give your secret message to a friend.

3. Have your friend use the paintbrush to spread the paint over the paper. The message will appear on the paper as the person paints.

It's amazing! The paint does not stick to the waxy crayon, so the words will show through.

Follow the directions carefully to keep your message a secret!

In step 3 of "Mirror Message", what does the word invisible mean?

• clear

• small

• hidden

• forgotten

Want to Send a Secret Message?

The next time you want to send a secret message, try one of these fun ideas!

Mirror Message

-A potato

-A potato peeler or knife

-A bathroom mirror

1. Ask a grownup to peel the skin from one end of the potato.

2. Using the peeled end of the potato, write a messaqge in big letters on the bathroom mirror.

3. Your message will be invisible until you take a bath or shower. When you take a shower or a bath, close the door so the steam stays in the bathroom. Steam from the hot water will appear on the mirror and make your message show.

Surprise someone else! Write a message on the bathroom mirror for a family member. See how long it takes for the person to discover your secret message.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lemony Letter

-A lemon

-A knife

-A small cup

-A thin paintbrush

-A piece of white paper

-A lamp

1. To have enough juice, gently roll the lemon back and forth against the table with your palm.

2. Have a grownup cut the lemon in half.

3. Squeeze the lemon so the juice drips into the cup.

4. Dip the paintbrush into the juice and write a message on the paper. When the "ink" dries, the paper will appear blank.

5. Give your secret message to a friend or family member.

6. Have the person who receives your message hold the paper near a light bulb. The heat will make the secret message appear. The lemon juice will turn a brown color.

Secret messages have been around for hundreds of years. Spies used them to pass important information without being caught.

Crazy Crayon

-A piece of white paper

-A white crayon

-Dark-colored paint

-A paintbrush

1. Using the white crayon, write your message on the paper. It will be difficult to see the markings so be careful.

2. Give your secret message to a friend.

3. Have your friend use the paintbrush to spread the paint over the paper. The message will appear on the paper as the person paints.

It's amazing! The paint does not stick to the waxy crayon, so the words will show through.

Follow the directions carefully to keep your message a secret!

"Lemony Letter" and "Mirror Message" are alike because both -

• need help from a grownup

• need the use of a lamp

• have messages that must be dry to be read

• have messages that must be painted to be read

Want to Send a Secret Message?

The next time you want to send a secret message, try one of these fun ideas!

Mirror Message

-A potato

-A potato peeler or knife

-A bathroom mirror

1. Ask a grownup to peel the skin from one end of the potato.

2. Using the peeled end of the potato, write a messaqge in big letters on the bathroom mirror.

3. Your message will be invisible until you take a bath or shower. When you take a shower or a bath, close the door so the steam stays in the bathroom. Steam from the hot water will appear on the mirror and make your message show.

Surprise someone else! Write a message on the bathroom mirror for a family member. See how long it takes for the person to discover your secret message.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lemony Letter

-A lemon

-A knife

-A small cup

-A thin paintbrush

-A piece of white paper

-A lamp

1. To have enough juice, gently roll the lemon back and forth against the table with your palm.

2. Have a grownup cut the lemon in half.

3. Squeeze the lemon so the juice drips into the cup.

4. Dip the paintbrush into the juice and write a message on the paper. When the "ink" dries, the paper will appear blank.

5. Give your secret message to a friend or family member.

6. Have the person who receives your message hold the paper near a light bulb. The heat will make the secret message appear. The lemon juice will turn a brown color.

Secret messages have been around for hundreds of years. Spies used them to pass important information without being caught.

Crazy Crayon

-A piece of white paper

-A white crayon

-Dark-colored paint

-A paintbrush

1. Using the white crayon, write your message on the paper. It will be difficult to see the markings so be careful.

2. Give your secret message to a friend.

3. Have your friend use the paintbrush to spread the paint over the paper. The message will appear on the paper as the person paints.

It's amazing! The paint does not stick to the waxy crayon, so the words will show through.

Follow the directions carefully to keep your message a secret!

In "Crazy Crayon" it is hard to see the message before painting over it because the message -

• needs to be next to the light

• takes a long time to change color

• is written on dark paper

• is written in a white color

Want to Send a Secret Message?

The next time you want to send a secret message, try one of these fun ideas!

Mirror Message

-A potato

-A potato peeler or knife

-A bathroom mirror

1. Ask a grownup to peel the skin from one end of the potato.

2. Using the peeled end of the potato, write a messaqge in big letters on the bathroom mirror.

3. Your message will be invisible until you take a bath or shower. When you take a shower or a bath, close the door so the steam stays in the bathroom. Steam from the hot water will appear on the mirror and make your message show.

Surprise someone else! Write a message on the bathroom mirror for a family member. See how long it takes for the person to discover your secret message.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lemony Letter

-A lemon

-A knife

-A small cup

-A thin paintbrush

-A piece of white paper

-A lamp

1. To have enough juice, gently roll the lemon back and forth against the table with your palm.

2. Have a grownup cut the lemon in half.

3. Squeeze the lemon so the juice drips into the cup.

4. Dip the paintbrush into the juice and write a message on the paper. When the "ink" dries, the paper will appear blank.

5. Give your secret message to a friend or family member.

6. Have the person who receives your message hold the paper near a light bulb. The heat will make the secret message appear. The lemon juice will turn a brown color.

Secret messages have been around for hundreds of years. Spies used them to pass important information without being caught.

Crazy Crayon

-A piece of white paper

-A white crayon

-Dark-colored paint

-A paintbrush

1. Using the white crayon, write your message on the paper. It will be difficult to see the markings so be careful.

2. Give your secret message to a friend.

3. Have your friend use the paintbrush to spread the paint over the paper. The message will appear on the paper as the person paints.

It's amazing! The paint does not stick to the waxy crayon, so the words will show through.

Follow the directions carefully to keep your message a secret!

One reason to read this flier is to -

• find out when spies need to use secret messages

• learn how secret messages are made

• discover secret messages that have been sent in the past

• learn about the first person to send a secret message