Clam Diggers
Instructions
Read the story below at your level. Then, study the key words and phrases. Later, use them in your conversations and writing this week.
Reading
One of my students asked me for a little help. He was writing a post for his company’s blog. He wrote about going to Hokkaido and looking for clams. In English, that’s called clam digging. I grew up on the east coast of the US. Clam digging is really well-known there. Clam diggers is also a style of pants. They are longer than shorts but shorter than pants. The cuffs don’t get wet in shallow water.
Flesch-Kinkead – Grade: 3
A couple days ago, one of my students asked me for a little help with an interesting post he planned to use for his company’s blog. In the post, he mentioned traveling to Hokkaido and looking for clams. That sounded familiar but at first, I couldn’t recall what that’s called in English. It’s clam digging! I grew up on the east coast of the US where clam digging is really well-known. There’s even a style of pants called clam diggers. They are longer than shorts but shorter than pants. The cuffs don’t get wet when you walk around in shallow water.
Flesch-Kinkead – Grade: 5
The other day, one of my students approached me for a little help with a short piece he had been working on for an upcoming marketing post his company was planning to use. In the post, he mentioned traveling to Hokkaido and looking for clams. Something about it rang a bell but it took me a minute to remember what we call that; clam digging! Having grown up on the east coast of the US, clam digging was really common. It’s so well-known that there’s even a style of pants called clam diggers. They are longer than shorts but shorter than pants so the cuffs don’t get wet when you are at the beach or walking around in shallow water.
Flesch-Kinkead – Grade: 7
Key Terms
well-known – something many people know about
The Godfather isn’t popular right now but it is a well-known movie.
cuffs – the end of a sleeve or pants leg
You got some mustard on your shirt cuff.
shallow – not deep
Don’t dive into the shallow end of the pool.
mention – say something briefly without a lot of detail
He mentioned his vacation but didn’t say much about it.
familiar – well-known to someone from a close relationship (think family)
I’m pretty familiar with Steven King’s books. I’ve read a lot of them.
recall – remember
I don’t recall who is coming to the wedding. Do you have the guest list?
approach – talk to someone for the first time usually with a proposal or request
She approached her manager to talk propose a new sales strategy.
piece – an article or blog entry
There was an interesting piece about the economy in the Times this morning.
ring a bell – sound vaguely familiar
That actor’s name rings a bell but I can’t remember what movies he’s in.
Like this story? Let’s talk about it in class.
