No Big Deal

Last weekend David invited me to go camping with him and his dad. I had never been camping before and I didn’t know what to expect.

We packed the car early in the morning and got on the road. A little while later we heard a loud POP then a “SCREEEETCH” sound. The car tire had popped. Out we went to help David’s dad change the tire. “No big deal,” said David’s dad.

When we finally got to the campsite we were starving, but we had to set up the tents and find wood for the fire. I had never made dinner using a campfire before – I wonder what it will taste like. David and I were putting together our tent when I felt something drop on my head…then again…and next on my nose. When I looked up the rain started to pour down.

“No big deal!” David’s dad smiled and said as we hurried into the tent. He pulled out some sandwiches and sodas to eat while we waited for the rain to stop. Before long the sky cleared and we finished setting up the tents. 

“Time for a campfire and spooky stories,” yelled David as he came running over with the matches. 

David’s dad tried and tried but the wood was too wet from the rain. “No big deal,” said David’s dad as he pulled out 3 flashlights. We sat around the flashlights telling silly, spooky stories until finally we headed to bed.

The next morning the sky was clear and blue and the temperature was nice and warm. Perfect for fishing! We pushed the canoe off the banks and paddled out to the middle of the lake, casting our lines into the clear water. After an hour we still hadn’t caught any fish. I looked at David’s dad, whose smile, which he had kept through the flat tire, rain and lack of campfire, had turned into a frown. 

But then I had an idea! “NO BIG DEAL!” I exclaimed, as I grabbed my backpack from the back of the canoe. “Fish for everyone!” I shouted and pulled out the bag of Sweedish fish I had packed for our trip. David’s dad looked up and his smile was back! 

We started to eat our candy fish and make fishy faces when we noticed the water below our feet. The boat had a leak and was quickly filling with water. David and I bucketed out the rising water while David’s dad paddled as fast as he could back to the shore. By nightfall the wood had all dried from the rain the night before. We made s’mores and told funny stories around the campfire.

I never knew camping could be so eventful. I can’t wait until my next camping trip!

How does the narrator feel about going camping in the beginning of the story?

No Big Deal

Last weekend David invited me to go camping with him and his dad. I had never been camping before and I didn’t know what to expect.

We packed the car early in the morning and got on the road. A little while later we heard a loud POP then a “SCREEEETCH” sound. The car tire had popped. Out we went to help David’s dad change the tire. “No big deal,” said David’s dad.

When we finally got to the campsite we were starving, but we had to set up the tents and find wood for the fire. I had never made dinner using a campfire before – I wonder what it will taste like. David and I were putting together our tent when I felt something drop on my head…then again…and next on my nose. When I looked up the rain started to pour down.

“No big deal!” David’s dad smiled and said as we hurried into the tent. He pulled out some sandwiches and sodas to eat while we waited for the rain to stop. Before long the sky cleared and we finished setting up the tents. 

“Time for a campfire and spooky stories,” yelled David as he came running over with the matches. 

David’s dad tried and tried but the wood was too wet from the rain. “No big deal,” said David’s dad as he pulled out 3 flashlights. We sat around the flashlights telling silly, spooky stories until finally we headed to bed.

The next morning the sky was clear and blue and the temperature was nice and warm. Perfect for fishing! We pushed the canoe off the banks and paddled out to the middle of the lake, casting our lines into the clear water. After an hour we still hadn’t caught any fish. I looked at David’s dad, whose smile, which he had kept through the flat tire, rain and lack of campfire, had turned into a frown. 

But then I had an idea! “NO BIG DEAL!” I exclaimed, as I grabbed my backpack from the back of the canoe. “Fish for everyone!” I shouted and pulled out the bag of Sweedish fish I had packed for our trip. David’s dad looked up and his smile was back! 

We started to eat our candy fish and make fishy faces when we noticed the water below our feet. The boat had a leak and was quickly filling with water. David and I bucketed out the rising water while David’s dad paddled as fast as he could back to the shore. By nightfall the wood had all dried from the rain the night before. We made s’mores and told funny stories around the campfire.

I never knew camping could be so eventful. I can’t wait until my next camping trip!

What problem did the characters face on their way to the camp site?

No Big Deal

Last weekend David invited me to go camping with him and his dad. I had never been camping before and I didn’t know what to expect.

We packed the car early in the morning and got on the road. A little while later we heard a loud POP then a “SCREEEETCH” sound. The car tire had popped. Out we went to help David’s dad change the tire. “No big deal,” said David’s dad.

When we finally got to the campsite we were starving, but we had to set up the tents and find wood for the fire. I had never made dinner using a campfire before – I wonder what it will taste like. David and I were putting together our tent when I felt something drop on my head…then again…and next on my nose. When I looked up the rain started to pour down.

“No big deal!” David’s dad smiled and said as we hurried into the tent. He pulled out some sandwiches and sodas to eat while we waited for the rain to stop. Before long the sky cleared and we finished setting up the tents. 

“Time for a campfire and spooky stories,” yelled David as he came running over with the matches. 

David’s dad tried and tried but the wood was too wet from the rain. “No big deal,” said David’s dad as he pulled out 3 flashlights. We sat around the flashlights telling silly, spooky stories until finally we headed to bed.

The next morning the sky was clear and blue and the temperature was nice and warm. Perfect for fishing! We pushed the canoe off the banks and paddled out to the middle of the lake, casting our lines into the clear water. After an hour we still hadn’t caught any fish. I looked at David’s dad, whose smile, which he had kept through the flat tire, rain and lack of campfire, had turned into a frown. 

But then I had an idea! “NO BIG DEAL!” I exclaimed, as I grabbed my backpack from the back of the canoe. “Fish for everyone!” I shouted and pulled out the bag of Sweedish fish I had packed for our trip. David’s dad looked up and his smile was back! 

We started to eat our candy fish and make fishy faces when we noticed the water below our feet. The boat had a leak and was quickly filling with water. David and I bucketed out the rising water while David’s dad paddled as fast as he could back to the shore. By nightfall the wood had all dried from the rain the night before. We made s’mores and told funny stories around the campfire.

I never knew camping could be so eventful. I can’t wait until my next camping trip!

How does David’s dad feel when it starts to rain?

No Big Deal

Last weekend David invited me to go camping with him and his dad. I had never been camping before and I didn’t know what to expect.

We packed the car early in the morning and got on the road. A little while later we heard a loud POP then a “SCREEEETCH” sound. The car tire had popped. Out we went to help David’s dad change the tire. “No big deal,” said David’s dad.

When we finally got to the campsite we were starving, but we had to set up the tents and find wood for the fire. I had never made dinner using a campfire before – I wonder what it will taste like. David and I were putting together our tent when I felt something drop on my head…then again…and next on my nose. When I looked up the rain started to pour down.

“No big deal!” David’s dad smiled and said as we hurried into the tent. He pulled out some sandwiches and sodas to eat while we waited for the rain to stop. Before long the sky cleared and we finished setting up the tents. 

“Time for a campfire and spooky stories,” yelled David as he came running over with the matches. 

David’s dad tried and tried but the wood was too wet from the rain. “No big deal,” said David’s dad as he pulled out 3 flashlights. We sat around the flashlights telling silly, spooky stories until finally we headed to bed.

The next morning the sky was clear and blue and the temperature was nice and warm. Perfect for fishing! We pushed the canoe off the banks and paddled out to the middle of the lake, casting our lines into the clear water. After an hour we still hadn’t caught any fish. I looked at David’s dad, whose smile, which he had kept through the flat tire, rain and lack of campfire, had turned into a frown. 

But then I had an idea! “NO BIG DEAL!” I exclaimed, as I grabbed my backpack from the back of the canoe. “Fish for everyone!” I shouted and pulled out the bag of Sweedish fish I had packed for our trip. David’s dad looked up and his smile was back! 

We started to eat our candy fish and make fishy faces when we noticed the water below our feet. The boat had a leak and was quickly filling with water. David and I bucketed out the rising water while David’s dad paddled as fast as he could back to the shore. By nightfall the wood had all dried from the rain the night before. We made s’mores and told funny stories around the campfire.

I never knew camping could be so eventful. I can’t wait until my next camping trip!

How do the characters solve the problem when water begins to fill the boat?

No Big Deal

Last weekend David invited me to go camping with him and his dad. I had never been camping before and I didn’t know what to expect.

We packed the car early in the morning and got on the road. A little while later we heard a loud POP then a “SCREEEETCH” sound. The car tire had popped. Out we went to help David’s dad change the tire. “No big deal,” said David’s dad.

When we finally got to the campsite we were starving, but we had to set up the tents and find wood for the fire. I had never made dinner using a campfire before – I wonder what it will taste like. David and I were putting together our tent when I felt something drop on my head…then again…and next on my nose. When I looked up the rain started to pour down.

“No big deal!” David’s dad smiled and said as we hurried into the tent. He pulled out some sandwiches and sodas to eat while we waited for the rain to stop. Before long the sky cleared and we finished setting up the tents. 

“Time for a campfire and spooky stories,” yelled David as he came running over with the matches. 

David’s dad tried and tried but the wood was too wet from the rain. “No big deal,” said David’s dad as he pulled out 3 flashlights. We sat around the flashlights telling silly, spooky stories until finally we headed to bed.

The next morning the sky was clear and blue and the temperature was nice and warm. Perfect for fishing! We pushed the canoe off the banks and paddled out to the middle of the lake, casting our lines into the clear water. After an hour we still hadn’t caught any fish. I looked at David’s dad, whose smile, which he had kept through the flat tire, rain and lack of campfire, had turned into a frown. 

But then I had an idea! “NO BIG DEAL!” I exclaimed, as I grabbed my backpack from the back of the canoe. “Fish for everyone!” I shouted and pulled out the bag of Sweedish fish I had packed for our trip. David’s dad looked up and his smile was back! 

We started to eat our candy fish and make fishy faces when we noticed the water below our feet. The boat had a leak and was quickly filling with water. David and I bucketed out the rising water while David’s dad paddled as fast as he could back to the shore. By nightfall the wood had all dried from the rain the night before. We made s’mores and told funny stories around the campfire.

I never knew camping could be so eventful. I can’t wait until my next camping trip!

How did the narrator respond when the characters couldn’t catch any fish?

No Big Deal

Last weekend David invited me to go camping with him and his dad. I had never been camping before and I didn’t know what to expect.

We packed the car early in the morning and got on the road. A little while later we heard a loud POP then a “SCREEEETCH” sound. The car tire had popped. Out we went to help David’s dad change the tire. “No big deal,” said David’s dad.

When we finally got to the campsite we were starving, but we had to set up the tents and find wood for the fire. I had never made dinner using a campfire before – I wonder what it will taste like. David and I were putting together our tent when I felt something drop on my head…then again…and next on my nose. When I looked up the rain started to pour down.

“No big deal!” David’s dad smiled and said as we hurried into the tent. He pulled out some sandwiches and sodas to eat while we waited for the rain to stop. Before long the sky cleared and we finished setting up the tents. 

“Time for a campfire and spooky stories,” yelled David as he came running over with the matches. 

David’s dad tried and tried but the wood was too wet from the rain. “No big deal,” said David’s dad as he pulled out 3 flashlights. We sat around the flashlights telling silly, spooky stories until finally we headed to bed.

The next morning the sky was clear and blue and the temperature was nice and warm. Perfect for fishing! We pushed the canoe off the banks and paddled out to the middle of the lake, casting our lines into the clear water. After an hour we still hadn’t caught any fish. I looked at David’s dad, whose smile, which he had kept through the flat tire, rain and lack of campfire, had turned into a frown. 

But then I had an idea! “NO BIG DEAL!” I exclaimed, as I grabbed my backpack from the back of the canoe. “Fish for everyone!” I shouted and pulled out the bag of Sweedish fish I had packed for our trip. David’s dad looked up and his smile was back! 

We started to eat our candy fish and make fishy faces when we noticed the water below our feet. The boat had a leak and was quickly filling with water. David and I bucketed out the rising water while David’s dad paddled as fast as he could back to the shore. By nightfall the wood had all dried from the rain the night before. We made s’mores and told funny stories around the campfire.

I never knew camping could be so eventful. I can’t wait until my next camping trip!

How did the narrator feel about camping at the end of the story?

Adapted from "The Pig Brother" by Laura E. Richards (1908)

There was once a child who was untidy. He left his books on the floor, and his muddy shoes on the table; he put his fingers in the jam-pots, and spilled ink on his best pinafore; there was really no end to his untidiness.

One day the Tidy Angel came into his nursery.

“This will never do!” said the Angel. “This is really shocking. You must go out and stay with your brother while I set things to rights here.”

“I have no brother!” said the child.

“Yes, you have!” said the Angel. “You may not know him, but he will know you. Go out in the garden and watch for him, and he will soon come.”

“I don’t know what you mean!” said the child; but he went out into the garden and waited.

Presently a squirrel came along, whisking his tail.

“Are you my brother?” asked the child.

The squirrel looked him over carefully.

“Well, I should hope not!” he said. “My fur is neat and smooth, my nest is handsomely made, and in perfect order, and my young ones are properly brought up. Why do you insult me by asking such a question?”

He whisked off, and the child waited.

Presently a wren came hopping by.

“Are you my brother?” asked the child.

“No indeed!” said the wren. “What impertinence! You will find no tidier person than I in the whole garden. Not a feather is out of place, and my eggs are the wonder of all for smoothness and beauty. Brother, indeed!” He hopped off, ruffling his feathers, and the child waited.

By and by a large Tommy Cat came along.

“Are you my brother?” asked the child.

“Go and look at yourself in the glass,” said the Tommy Cat haughtily, “and you will have your answer. I have been washing myself in the sun all the morning, while it is clear that no water has come near you for a long time. There are no such creatures as you in my family, I am humbly thankful to say.”

He walked on, waving his tail, and the child waited.

Presently a pig came trotting along.

The child did not wish to ask the pig if he were his brother, but the pig did not wait to be asked.

“Hallo, brother!” he grunted.

“I am not your brother!” said the child.

“Oh, yes, you are!” said the pig. “I confess I am not proud of you, but there is no mistaking the members of our family. Come along, and have a good roll in the barnyard! There is some lovely black mud there.”

“I don’t like to roll in mud!” said the child.

“Tell that to the hens!” said the pig brother. “Look at your hands, and your shoes, and your pinafore! Come along, I say! You may have some of the pig-wash for supper, if there is more than I want.”

“I don’t want pig-wash!” said the child; and he began to cry.

Just then the Tidy Angel came out.

“I have set everything to rights,” she said, “and so it must stay. Now, will you go with the Pig Brother, or will you come back with me, and be a tidy child?”

“With you, with you!” cried the child; and he clung to the Angel’s dress.

The Pig Brother grunted.

“Small loss!” he said. “There will be all the more wash for me!” and he trotted on.

What did the boy learn by the end of the story? 

The Game of Soccer

The History

The game of soccer started a very long time ago in another country, England. They named the sport of soccer, “football.” They called this game “football” because the players played the game on and with their feet. In America, we call the sport “soccer.” Although they may call it by different names, many people play the game of soccer all around the world.

The Teams

A soccer game has two teams. Each team has eleven players on the field at a time. One of those players is called the “goalie.” The goalie’s job is to stop the ball from going into the goal. The goalie is the only player that is able to touch the ball with his hands during a soccer game.

The Game

Most soccer games last 90 minutes and there is only one break in the middle of the game. During a soccer game, each team tries to kick the ball into the opposite team’s goal. Unlike many other sports, soccer games can end in a tie, meaning there might not be a winner or a loser after each game because each team has the same score.

What is the main topic of the last paragraph?

Dogs at Work

Many people have dogs. Dogs are good friends. They love to play and cuddle. Dogs will keep you company and make you feel better. Dogs will keep you safe and protect you from danger. Dogs are smart. They know their names and can learn cool tricks. Dogs are great pets. But did you know, many dogs have important jobs?

Therapy Dogs

Many dogs work to help people feel better. These dogs are called therapy dogs. Many therapy dogs work in hospitals to keep people happy and comfort people who are sick. Dogs make people feel happy and calm, which can help someone feel better when they are ill.

Some therapy dogs work with kids in schools. Kids can read to dogs and practice their skills to become better readers.

Service Dogs

Some dogs have jobs to help people with disabilities. These dogs are called service dogs. Many people who cannot see or hear have service dogs. Service dogs are trained to help their owners in their everyday lives. Service dogs can help people who cannot see by telling them when it is safe to cross the street and leading their owners so they do not trip or run into something.

Other service dogs help people who have illnesses. These service dogs are trained to sense when their owner is going to get sick and warn their owner to take medicine or call for help.

Search-and-Rescue Dogs

Search-and-rescue dogs help find people who are lost or trapped. Dogs have a very good sense of smell – much better than humans. Search-and-rescue dogs use their senses to help locate missing people or people who are trapped in caves or fallen buildings.

Detection Dogs

Some dogs, like search-and-rescue dogs, use their sense of smell to help find people who are lost. Other dogs use their sense of smell to find things that are hidden. These dogs are called detection dogs.

Detection dogs can help police find people who have broken the law and are hiding. Detection dogs can also help find explosives or bombs before they can cause damage.

Dogs are great pets. They are smart, friendly and good companions. Dogs also work hard and help us in many ways. It’s a good thing there are dogs!

Why did the author write this text?

African Elephants

Elephants are the biggest animals living on land. An adult male elephant can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and be more than 13 feet tall. The biggest elephants live in Africa. 

Trunk

Elephants have a long trunk. An elephant uses its trunk in many ways. 

An elephant’s trunk is its nose. It uses its trunk to smell and breathe. Elephants also use their trunks like a hand. An elephant can pick up grass and branches with its trunk. It uses its trunk to reach high up and grab food from trees. Elephants are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. Elephants eat fruit, leaves, and grass. Adult elephants eat 300-400 pounds of food a day.

Elephants suck up water in their trunks and spray it onto themselves to stay clean. They also use their trunks as snorkels to help them breathe when they are swimming or in deep water. 

Elephants use their trunks to make sounds. Elephants roar, rumble, and growl. When there is danger, elephants use their trunks to make a loud horn noise to warn others and scare away predators.

Tusks

African elephants have 2 tusks on either side of their trunk. Elephants use their tusks to dig holes and find food and water. They also use their tusks to carry things and even rest their trunks on their tusks. An elephant’s tusks also help it stay safe. Elephants can use their tusks to battle and protect themselves from enemies.

Ears

Elephants have the largest ears of any animal. Elephants use their ears to hear, stay cool, and show feelings. Elephants flap their ears to cool off and keep insects away.

Wrinkled Skin

Elephants have wrinkled skin. Their skin looks rough and tough but it is very sensitive. Elephants cover their skin in mud and dirt to protect themselves from getting a sunburn and bug bites.

Feet

Every part of an elephant is big, so of course an elephant also has very large feet. Elephants have pads on the bottom of their feet to protect them and help them walk quietly.

What has a long trunk, two big tusks, big ears and wrinkled skin? It’s an African elephant!

Which of the following would be another good title for this text?