Fifth Grade
Worksheets
The Twists and Turns of Pretzel History
Eat a Pretzel Day
Reading Comprehension for October 22
"Here you go, child," the monk said as he handed the boy a twisted piece of baked bread. "You said your prayers very well."
The monk was giving this child a "pretiola," or "little reward." The monks took small pieces of dough and shaped them so they looked like children's arms folded in prayer. And thus, it is said, the "pretzel" was born.
Pretzels are a very popular snack and have been around for a very long time. In fact, a rendering of a pretzel appears in a painting dated from 1559! However, the tradition of monks giving pretzels as "little rewards" is thought to have taken place around the year 610.
