Barnaby’s Deep Sea Dream
Barnaby was a Golden Retriever with a very unusual hobby. While most dogs at the local park spent their time chasing squirrels or playing tug-of-war with old ropes, Barnaby spent every morning at the edge of the town’s wooden pier. He would sit perfectly still, staring intently at the bubbling wake of the departing dive boats. He wasn't interested in the seagulls screaming overhead or the scraps of bait dropped by the local fishermen. Barnaby wanted to be under the water.
It started when he was just a puppy. While other dogs splashed playfully in the shallows, Barnaby would shove his face into the water, eyes wide open, trying to see what was happening beneath the surface. He was fascinated by the way the sunlight danced on the sandy bottom and how the tiny silver fish darted between the stalks of emerald-green seaweed. He felt a pull toward the ocean that no amount of tennis balls could satisfy.
- Neoprene:
- A synthetic rubber material that is often used to make wetsuits because it is flexible and keeps people warm.
- Excursion:
- A short trip or outing, usually for a specific purpose or for fun.
- Intently:
- Doing something with great focus and attention.
- Camouflage:
- Colors or patterns that help an animal blend into its environment to hide.
- Patrolled:
- To walk or swim around an area to watch over it and keep it safe.
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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.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
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Language & Tone
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Vocabulary
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Writing Prompts
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where did Barnaby spend his mornings instead of playing with other dogs?
- 2How did Barnaby try to see underwater when he was a puppy?
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About this fiction passage for Upper Elementary
“Barnaby’s Deep Sea Dream” is a fiction reading passage about Determination, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 5 minutes to read (804 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.