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The History of Crayons

JJieun
Grade 2
Informational
EN
1 min read
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The History of Crayons

Have you ever used a crayon? Crayons are colorful sticks that we use to draw and color pictures! They come in many different colors, like red, blue, green, and yellow. But do you know how crayons were made a long, long time ago?

From Wax to Color

Long ago, people used wax and colors from nature to make marks. But these weren't quite like the crayons we know today. The first crayons that looked like our crayons were made in Europe. They were made with a mix of charcoal and oil. But these crayons were messy!

The First Crayola Crayons

In 1903, a company called Binney & Smith made the first box of Crayola crayons. It cost only five cents! The box had eight colors: black, brown, blue, green, orange, red, violet, and yellow. Kids loved them, and they became very popular. The name 'Crayola' comes from 'craie,' which is French for chalk, and 'ola' from 'oleaginous,' which means oily.

Crayons Today

Today, Crayola crayons come in many more colors than just eight. There are special crayons that shimmer and sparkle. Some are even scented! Crayons are still a fun and easy way for kids to be creative and make beautiful art.

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Glossary
Crayon:
A stick of colored wax used for drawing.
Charcoal:
A black material made from burned wood.
Creative:
Able to make new things or ideas.
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Grade 2Explanatory Article • Informational

About this informational passage for Grade 2

“The History of Crayons” is a informational reading passage about Crayon History, written for Grade 2. It takes about 1 minutes to read (206 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. You can read “The History of Crayons” online for free and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “The History of Crayons”?

It’s written for Grade 2 — a informational text about Crayon History, about a 1-minute read (206 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

Can I adapt it for my students?

Yes. With a free account you can remix it to a different grade level or translate it to another language in one click.