1. Name _____________________________ Period ___________________
Lesson Plans: Language Arts Grade 8:
Directions: Please read & complete the following packet.
The Mystery of the Fifth Window, Part One
Professor Bean was an odd fellow. His hairstyle
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mimicked the great Albert Einstein's. The difference was
that his hair was luxurious and black instead of shades of
gray. However, even though he had a rumpled
appearance, his mind worked like a meticulous Swiss
clock. His day-to-day life outside of his research was
chaotic, but Professor Bean was a genius in his field.
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When Professor Bean talked about quantum physics,
people in the field took note. Professor Bean's goal was to
win the university's Golden Medal of Science. This award had two parts.
First, it came with a prestigious opportunity for publication of the research.
There was also an additional $10,000 prize. This cash prize would ensure
that the professor could carry on his wormhole research by purchasing
additional equipment for experiments.
Professor Bean worked on his theory in between teaching classes. His
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office was on the second floor of an old house on campus. The university
had purchased some old Victorian houses close to the campus and used them
as office buildings. Professor Bean and some of the other older professors
enjoyed the homey atmosphere of these houses. He often shared a cup of tea
with his best students in the large kitchen at the back of the house.
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The professor's small office suited him perfectly. Two large windows let
golden light stream in and bathed the room in a warm glow for much of the
day. Piles of papers littered the professor's desk, but he knew exactly where
to find everything. Thick leather volumes about physics made the
bookshelves practically groan in protest. The cluttered office was the perfect
environment for the birth of theories that seemed like sci-fi movie material.
When Professor Bean wasn't working on his theories, he was often
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helping his students. Students who needed extra help from the professor for
his courses could come into the old house at any time. They climbed the
central staircase to the second floor and had to knock loudly to get the
professor's attention. Only then would he come out of his mathematical
reverie and answer the door.

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Tap, tap, BOOM. The last determined knock made the door shake.
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"Professor, are you there?" asked a timid voice.
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"Yes, come on in," said Professor Bean in a slightly annoyed tone. It was
3:30 P.M. on a Monday, and he didn't usually have many students come in
until later in the week.
A slim waif of a girl tiptoed into the office, followed by her shaggy
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boyfriend. She carried a thick physics book. A curtain of hair fell across her
back like a sheet of red silk. She looked intently with gold-flecked light
hazel eyes at the professor. Her expression was like a shy owl about to hoot.
Professor Bean recognized Anna from his Introduction to Quantum Physics
course. He gave her a smile of encouragement because she had demonstrated
some abilities that had surprised him.
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"I was wondering if you could explain wormholes to my friend," said
Anna.
"I would love to," said the professor. "The existence of wormholes has
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not been proven...yet. I am working on my theory to prove that they are real.
Wormholes are a theoretical phenomenon in quantum physics in the time-
space continuum. They supposedly have at least two mouths that are
connected by a tube. They could be a shortcut through space and time.
Imagine that! It might be possible to do time travel in a wormhole. It would
be just like those wild scenes in science fiction films. Wouldn't that be fun?"
The professor asked the question with a gleam in his eyes.
What Professor didn't share with the students was that he had
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mathematically proven that certain spots on Earth could contain wormholes,
despite the normally held belief that this phenomenon, if it existed at all,
could only occur in outer space. He also had developed some equations that
showed that once these wormholes had opened, the tunnel could be directed
by the power of the mind to whatever point in time and space the person
wanted to travel to. If his theories were correct, their application could
change the course of human history!
"Do you need help with your research work?" asked the shaggy boy,
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whose name was Ben. "I am a grad student in physics, and I could help you
with your calculations. I am also good at computer stuff."
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Professor Bean considered this bold idea. He had never thought of hiring
help, but he thought about the Golden Medal of Science and its looming

3. deadline. He only had one week to prepare his paper for presentation to the
committee. He had handwritten notebooks full of ideas, but his work was
still rough. Perhaps this young man with the soft, intelligent brown eyes
would be useful to put his work into the computer.
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"Bring me your resume tomorrow morning. Then I will consider your
offer. If I do accept you, I will need your help to prepare my paper for the
committee next week. Would you be able to do that?" said the professor.
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"Yes, thank you, sir!" said Ben. He was thrilled. He had always wanted
to work with a mad scientist. Professor Bean, with his wild hair and flushed
face, looked perfect.
Professor Bean had a secret place where he hid his notebooks. He
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always joked that he hid his work in a "black hole," but no one knew where
that was.
On Tuesday, Ben and Anna tapped on the door again. Ben's stomach
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was in knots as he anticipated the professor's decision. When Professor Bean
did not answer, Anna gently pushed the heavy mahogany door open and
called the professor's name.
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The professor was there, but his head was on the desk. His hair fanned
out in all directions like a black halo. Anna called his name again, and the
professor opened his eyes for a moment.
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"The fifth window...find my work. Ben has...the job," he gasped.
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Anna turned to Ben, her sheath of red hair twisting over her face.
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"Quick," she said in an urgent voice. "Call 911!"
Complete
1. Which subject did the professor 2. What award was the professor
teach at the university? hoping to win?
Economics The Golden Medal of
Chemistry Science
Quantum physics The Quantum Physics of the
Biology Year Medallion
The Nobel Peace Prize
None of the above
3. Professor Bean's hairstyle was 4.
How much cash would the
similar to whose?

4. Albert Einstein
professor receive if he won the
The professor was bald.
George Washington Golden Medal of Science?
Donald Trump
5. According to Professor Bean, 6. Based on information in the story,
what would wormholes what would be one logical
theoretically enable people to do? conclusion if Professor Bean won
Time travel the Golden Medal of Science?
Teleport to other planets He would buy equipment that
Materialize food would aid him in his research.
Fly by themselves He would retire.
He would go out to eat and
celebrate.
None of the above

5. 7. Which of the following is an 8. What did Anna tell Ben to do
opinion in the story about when they found the professor?
wormholes? Prop up his head with a
The study of wormholes is a pillow
part of quantum physics. Give him a drink of water
Their existence had not been Give him CPR
proven yet. Call 911
Professor Bean was doing
research on wormholes.
They would allow people to
do time travel.

6. If wormholes existed and would enable people to do time travel, where would you
like to go and why?