Fourth Grade
Worksheets
A Patent for a Popsicle
A Patent for a Popsicle
Reading Comprehension for August 19
Note: although this story contains facts found about the history of the Popsicle, some liberties have been taken to create a fictional story.
It had been a very cold night in 1905 in Oakland, California - colder than it normally was this time of year. Eleven-year-old Frank Epperson woke to see that his bedroom windows had frosted. That was unusual, especially since just yesterday he had been enjoying a cold glass of soda. He liked to mix a soda powder with water to create a tingly, refreshing treat. He probably would not be doing that today since it was so cold!
Frank pulled on some pants and a heavy sweater and headed downstairs for breakfast.
"Good morning, Frank," his mother said.
"Good morning, Mother."
"Frank, dear, you left your cup outside on the porch yesterday. Please go pick it up."
Frank was forever leaving things around the house. He opened the front door and went to get his cup. To his surprise, the stir stick had frozen in the soda liquid.
"Hmm..." thought Frank. "I wonder how this tastes." He brought the cup into the house, and within a few minutes, the warmer air in the house had caused a bit of melting. Frank then pulled on the stick, and out came the soda in a frozen chunk. He began licking the soda.
"This tastes pretty good!" he thought. "I think I'll show my friends on the way to school!"
