Sixth Grade
Worksheets
The Herbalist
More Herbs, Less Salt Day
Reading Comprehension for August 29
Esther bent over the large patch of comfrey. The large thick-stemmed green leaves were covered in stiff prickly fuzz. Using a short knife and gloves, she cut a large number of leaves and laid them neatly in the large woven wicker basket on the ground next to her.
Next she stepped over to the patch of thyme [say: time]. The low-growing plant spread out into a thick mat of green. A few tiny flowers winked at her as she took her scissors and clipped several handfuls. Behind the thyme were masses of sage and rosemary. Esther rubbed her fingers over the leaves of the sage and inhaled the aroma of its highly scented oils.
Her nimble fingers clipped several long pieces of the plant that had grown out of shape. She took the pieces and laid them in the basket along with the other herbs. The rosemary had short, stiff leaves almost like pine needles. Esther snipped off the tender new growth and carefully placed several handfuls into the basket as well. The pungent odors clung to her hands and filled the air around her. It was one of the best parts of working with herbs, she thought.
Last of all, Esther moved to the section of the garden where the border of lavender partially hung over the stone terracing wall. The blue-gray foliage was a perfect match to the dark gray stones of the wall. She brushed her hands over the tall masses of lavender flower spikes. What the individual flowers lacked in size, they made up for in numbers. Handful after handful of the heady scented herb was piled into the basket until it was almost overflowing. Now came the real work.
