John Muir: The Wild Man of the Mountains
John Muir was a man who felt more at home under the open sky than inside a house. Known today as the 'Father of the National Parks,' Muir spent his life exploring the wilderness and convincing others that nature was a treasure worth protecting. His journey from a hardworking farm boy to a world-famous naturalist is a story of curiosity, grit, and a deep love for the Earth.
John Muir was born in Scotland in 1838. When he was eleven years old, his family moved to the United States and settled on a farm in Wisconsin. Life on the farm was incredibly difficult. John and his siblings worked from sunrise to sunset, clearing land and planting crops. Despite the exhaustion, John found joy in the small pieces of nature around him. He loved watching the birds and learning about the plants in the Wisconsin woods. He was also a talented inventor, creating wooden clocks and even a desk that would automatically push a book in front of him when it was time to study.
- Naturalist:
- A person who studies and cares about plants, animals, and the natural world.
- Wilderness:
- A wild, natural area that has not been changed or built upon by people.
- Legacy:
- Something important that a person leaves behind for future generations.
- grit:
- Courage, resolve, and strength of character shown by someone who refuses to give up during difficult times.
- glaciers:
- Large, slow-moving bodies of dense ice that form over many years and shape the surrounding landscape.
- environment:
- The natural world, including the air, water, land, plants, and animals, especially as it is affected by human activity.
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Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
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Summarize
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Purpose
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Structure
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Fact & Opinion
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where was John Muir born, and where did his family settle when they moved to the United States?
- 2What were two things John Muir invented when he was younger?
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About this biography passage for Upper Elementary
“John Muir: The Wild Man of the Mountains” is a biography reading passage about John Muir, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 4 minutes to read (637 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.