A Bronze Age Day
My Day
Day 12 of the Harvest Moon
The sun peeked over the hill this morning, waking me. I stretched and yawned. My bed is just a pile of straw, but it's comfy enough. I can hear my mother already grinding grain for bread. The smell makes my stomach rumble!
I hurried outside. My little sister, Mara, was chasing chickens. Our hut is small, made of mud bricks and a roof of reeds. It keeps us dry when it rains, which is important.
Father was already gone to the fields. He works with the other men to plow and plant barley. It’s hard work. I will join them when I am older. For now, my job is to help with the animals.
First, I had to feed the goats. They bleated loudly until I gave them their fill of hay. Then, I took them to the stream to drink. The water was cold and clear. I splashed some on my face to wake me up.
After that, Mother asked me to gather berries. I walked to the edge of the forest, careful to watch for snakes. The berries were sweet and juicy. I filled my small basket quickly. Mara came with me, singing songs she made up.
- Reeds:
- Tall grasses that grow in wet areas.
- Barley:
- A type of grain used for food.
- Bronze:
- A metal made by mixing copper and tin.
- ancestors:
- Family members who lived a very long time ago.
- bleated:
- Made a wavering, crying sound like a goat or sheep.
- plow:
- To dig up and turn over soil to prepare it for planting seeds.
Educational example text · Diary Entry
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Point of View
Identify who presents the text and analyze how perspective shapes what the reader receives.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What does the main character sleep on?
- 2What is the main character's mother doing in the morning?
You Might Also Like
About this diary entry passage for Upper Elementary
“A Bronze Age Day” is a diary entry reading passage about Bronze Age Life, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (304 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.