The Pink Rocks and the Big Splash

PicoBuddyLower ElementaryDiary Entry2 min read250 words
Image for The Pink Rocks and the Big Splash

Saturday, May 10

Dear Diary,

Today Dad and I went to Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We heard the Big Sioux River before we even saw it! The rushing water made a loud roar.

We walked out onto the path. Everything around the water was made of dark pink rock. Dad said this hard stone is called quartzite. The wet rocks looked shiny and smooth in the bright sun.

The river did not drop down all in one place. Instead, it spilled over steps of pink stone. Big waves crashed down and made white foam at the bottom. Cool mist floated up into the air and landed right on my nose. It felt like tiny drops of rain on a sunny day.

Next, we walked across a long bridge right over the river. I held Dad's hand tight and looked down at the fast water spinning below my yellow boots. Then we climbed up the steps of the tall observation tower. From the top, I could see all the waterfalls at once! I also saw the old stone walls of the Queen Bee Mill standing near the water.

Glossary
rushing:
Moving very fast with a lot of power.
roar:
A very loud, deep sound.
foam:
A mass of tiny white bubbles on top of fast-moving water.
mist:
Tiny drops of water floating in the air.
observation:
Looking closely at something to see what it is like.

Educational example text · Diary Entry

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Preview questions from this passageShow
  1. 1Where did Naomi and her dad go on Saturday, May 10?
  2. 2How did Naomi know the Big Sioux River was nearby before she could see it?

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About this diary entry passage for Lower Elementary

“The Pink Rocks and the Big Splash” is a diary entry reading passage about Waterfalls, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (250 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. With a free account, you can read “The Pink Rocks and the Big Splash” online and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “The Pink Rocks and the Big Splash”?

It’s written for Lower Elementary — a diary entry text about Waterfalls, about a 2-minute read (250 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. Remix is included with Pro and Max for adapting it to another grade level or language.