The Great Backyard Expedition
Friday, June 12th – 4:30 PM
Today is finally the day! Maya and I have been planning our 'Great Backyard Expedition' for weeks. Ever since Mom and Dad bought us the new four-person tent, we’ve been itching to sleep under the stars. Of course, 'under the stars' actually means about twenty feet away from the kitchen door, but to us, it feels like we are venturing into the deep wilderness. Setting up the tent was much harder than the instructions made it look. Maya kept insisting that the long silver poles went through the side flaps, while I was certain they crossed over the top. After a lot of tugging and one very frustrated sigh from Maya, we finally got the structure to stand up. It’s a bit lopsided, looking more like a collapsed marshmallow than a professional shelter, but it’s ours. We’ve already moved our sleeping bags, three pillows each, and a mountain of snacks inside. I can smell the grass through the mesh windows, and the air is still warm from the afternoon sun.
Friday, June 12th – 9:15 PM
- Expedition:
- A journey or voyage undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose.
- Lopsided:
- With one side lower or smaller than the other; unevenly balanced.
- Magnified:
- Made to appear or sound larger or more intense than it actually is.
- Rations:
- A fixed amount of food or supplies, especially during a journey or shortage.
- Silhouette:
- The dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background.
- frantic:
- Wild, hurried, and disorganized due to strong feelings of fear, excitement, or worry.
Educational example text · Diary Entry
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What specific item did the narrator and Maya receive that inspired their camping trip?
- 2Describe the disagreement Maya and the narrator had while setting up the tent.
Where this passage belongs
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About this diary entry passage for Upper Elementary
“The Great Backyard Expedition” is a diary entry reading passage about Backyard Camping, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 5 minutes to read (718 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.