Protecting Parks Vocabulary Activity
Large Print Edition Argumentative Reading
PROTECTING OUR PARKS
8 Target Words
Name:
Date:
Class:
Part 1: Read the Argumentative Text
Protecting Our Parks: America's Greatest Treasures
Author's Claim: We must act now!
Our national parks are not just pleasant vacation spots—they are irreplaceable sanctuaries that belong to every citizen. Across the country, massive granite cliffs and ancient forests preserve the natural balance of our continent. These wild lands provide crucial clues about the history of our planet and how wildlife survives in changing environments.
Millions of visitors travel each year to witness grand views of deep canyons and roaring waterfalls. Revered stone monuments honor historic milestones, while ancient cave walls protect subtle traces of early human civilizations. Over millions of years, rushing rivers carved majestic canyons that now serve as famous natural landmarks known across the globe.
However, these public treasures are in severe danger. Overcrowding, litter, and lack of funding threaten their future. If we fail to protect our parks today, these natural wonders will be damaged beyond repair. We must demand conservation and stand up as responsible stewards of our land.
Context Clues & Argument Check
1. What is the author's central claim in this text?
2. Based on paragraph 2, what naturally carved the canyons over millions of years?
Protecting Our Parks • Large Print Packet Page 1 of 3
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VOCABULARY MATCH & GRAMMAR
Name:
Part 2: Word & Definition Match
Write matching letter in box
Target Words
1. national
2. massive
3. clues
4. grand
5. monuments
6. traces
7. carved
8. landmarks
Definitions
A Belonging to or shared by an entire country or people.
B Hints or evidence that help solve a mystery or question.
C Cut, shaped, or sculpted by natural water, wind, or tools.
D Huge, heavy, and extraordinarily large in size or scale.
E Important structures built or protected to honor history.
F Magnificent, majestic, and deeply impressive to behold.
G Prominent natural features easily seen and recognized.
H Small marks, signs, or evidence left behind in the past.
Part 3: Grammar Rule — Subject & Predicate
Every complete sentence needs two essential parts:
1. Complete Subject
Who or what the sentence is about (person, place, or thing).
2. Complete Predicate
What the subject does or is (includes the action verb).
Sentence Model:
[The massive glaciers] (Subject) + [carved deep valleys.] (Predicate)
Try It: "Historic monuments honor our nation's heroes."
Subject:
Predicate:
Protecting Our Parks • Large Print Packet Page 2 of 3
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SENTENCE BUILDING & ARGUMENT WRITING
Name:
Part 4: Create Sentences (Subject & Predicate)
Choose a target vocabulary word. Separate your sentence into its Subject and Predicate, then write the full sentence.
Prompt 1 • Choose from: massive or landmarks Word Chosen: ____________________
Subject
Predicate
Full Sentence:
Prompt 2 • Choose from: national or traces Word Chosen: ____________________
Subject
Predicate
Full Sentence:
Part 5: Argumentative Writing Challenge
Use 2+ Words
Claim: "Why must we protect our national parks?"
Write 2 to 3 persuasive sentences supporting this claim. Underline the vocabulary words you use!
national massive clues grand monuments traces carved landmarks
Protecting Our Parks • Large Print Packet Page 3 of 3
