Sixth Grade
Worksheets
The Mystery of the Hidden Photograph, Part One
Cheryl never liked to go down into Grandma's basement. Even though pretty jars of green pickles and peach jam filled the wooden shelves, the basement still seemed eerie to her. The hair on the back of Cheryl's neck stood up when she went down there, and she felt as if something or someone might jump out of a shadowy corner and grab her!
Cheryl enjoyed the rest of Grandma's old house in rural Ohio. Cheryl and her brother Brent spent summer vacations there. They each had a room upstairs. On the walls hung pictures of pale, stern-faced relatives whose photos were taken long before photographers said, "Smile and say cheese!"
The rest of Grandma's house was full of other fascinating antiques and old photo albums. The albums contained pictures of Grandma when she was young. There was one picture of Great-uncle Floyd, Grandma's brother, in his dark Sunday suit. Sitting next to him was his wife, Ella, in a dark dress with a white collar. Her wiry hands were wrapped tightly in her lap as if she were holding on for dear life. Cheryl felt as though she knew these two from the many stories her grandmother had shared with her.
Cheryl's favorite story was about Great-uncle Floyd's effort to fly by jumping off the barn wearing wings he had designed himself. It was no surprise that he didn't fly, and he broke his leg in the attempt. Great-aunt Ella was a bit more down to earth. She had distinguished herself as an excellent schoolteacher. She and Great-uncle Floyd had no children of their own.
Other photographs of various relatives filled the albums - a silent, serious record of previous generations. Cheryl and Brent spent a lot of time looking at these old photographs in between helping with farm chores and eating Grandma's delicious meals.
Grandma loved to cook special dishes for her grandchildren. Cheryl's favorite meal was homemade egg noodles and baked chicken swimming in gravy. Grandma served her meals on blue and white china plates, and the children liked to use the antique silverware. Cheryl especially liked how the large soup spoons felt in her hand, so heavy and substantial.
On this soft summer evening, Grandma had made thick grilled cheese sandwiches, cole slaw, and strawberry shortcake. She poured root beer into large glass mugs and put them at each place. She filledd the plates with food and called the children to come for supper. Whoops, something was missing: tangy homemade pickles.
"Cheryl, can you please run down to the basement and get another jar of pickles? I think they would taste good with these sandwiches," said Grandma.
