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The Big Dam Portage

Latin Root: -port- (carry) 3rd Phase 6
The Big Dam Portage
The Big Dam Portage, page 1
1Chip and Len packed a big green bag for a camp trip. They wanted to sleep in a tent by the water for a week. They had to transport a lot of food, a pot, and a thick blanket. They put everything into a little boat at the dock. The boat was not very big, but it was safe.
The Big Dam Portage, page 2
2Chip sat in the boat. Len sat next to him. They floated down the long river. The morning sun was bright, and the water was very cool. Len trailed his hand in the river. "This is a perfect trip," Len said with a happy sigh. "We will have so much fun today." They looked at the green trees on the banks.
The Big Dam Portage, page 3
3But soon, the boat bumped into a big pile of logs and sticks. The boat stopped in the water. Chip and Len looked up. A huge dam blocked the river! The dam went all the way across. They could not float past it. The way was blocked. Thad stood on top of the thick sticks. "Hello down there!"
The Big Dam Portage, page 4
4Thad called to them. "I just made this big dam. It is a very important job for me. It stops the water from rushing too fast. Do you like it?" Len said to Thad with a sigh, "Your dam is very nice, but we cannot pass it. Our boat is stuck, and we need to go down the river.
The Big Dam Portage, page 5
5We are going to a camp site." "You must lift the boat and carry it on the land," Thad told them. "You have to make a portage." Chip and Len got out of the boat. They tried to lift it up the sandy bank. But the boat was full of their heavy things.
The Big Dam Portage, page 6
6The boat was much too heavy to carry. They dropped it with a loud crash. "We cannot transport this heavy boat on our own," Chip said with a frown. "It is just too much to lift. We need more help." Thad quickly ran down the dam to help them. "We will put a log under the boat," Thad said.
The Big Dam Portage, page 7
7"The log will give us a lot of support." Thad found a long, round log on the bank. They pushed the log under the little boat. The log helped a lot. Together, the three friends lifted the boat onto their backs and carried it along the forest path, with the log under it for support.
The Big Dam Portage, page 8
8At last, they slid the boat back into the water on the other side. "Thank you for helping us with the portage," Len said. Thad smiled and waved as the little boat floated away. The friends were on their way again.
Circle or highlight all the words containing the root -port- in the story above. How many did you find?

Comprehension Questions

After reading, ask these questions to check understanding:

  1. What did Chip and Len pack for their camp trip?
  2. What did Thad put under the boat to help carry it?
  3. What did Thad do as the boat floated away?
Keep practicing
Practice Latin Root: -port- (carry) with 4 more free worksheets

The words from this story, on printable practice sheets:

Word sortPhrasing cardsRapid naming chartWord search
Get the Latin Root: -port- (carry) worksheets →
Download Mini-Book
Full-color picture book • Print, cut & staple • No signup required
Read-aloud version (one page per sheet, for projecting)
The Big Dam Portage illustrated mini-book cover
Cover + 8 illustrated pages

Reader Details

Phonics Skill Latin Root: -port- (carry)
Grade Level 3rd
Phase Phase 6
Worksheets Latin Root: -port- (carry) Worksheets

Target Words

transport export import portable support report reporter airport portal portage deport seaport

Sight Words

the a and to was is it she he they said have with you are of for her there one

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About This Decodable Reader

“The Big Dam Portage” is a free printable decodable reader designed for 3rd students practicing latin root: -port- (carry) phonics patterns. This mini-book uses phonetically controlled vocabulary so beginning readers can successfully sound out nearly every word in the story, building confidence and reinforcing the specific phonics skills they're learning.

The free PDF is a full-color illustrated mini-book: a cover, eight picture pages with one or two lines of story text each, and a back page listing the latin root: -port- (carry) words, high-frequency words, and discussion questions. Print the five sheets, cut each one in half along the dashed line, and staple — your child has a real little book to hold. A read-aloud version with one large page per sheet is also included for projecting to the whole class.

This reader is part of our collection of 193 free decodable readers organized by phonics skill and aligned with the Science of Reading. For additional practice with latin root: -port- (carry) patterns, try our latin root: -port- (carry) phonics worksheets which include word sorts, phrasing practice cards, and rapid naming charts.