Tag: gardens

**This post may contain affiliate links to some of the products and resources that we have used. These are provided at no extra charge to you and help to support our blog and family if a purchase is made through these links. -Thank you!

Here are our Lesson Plans For Life Skills

This page contains our lesson plans for a few different areas that I have included with our ‘Life Skills’. You will find lessons on cooking, cleaning, and organization as well as bible memory work and character training. All of these will go together to help raise our children into the responsible and caring citizens of tomorrow.

On weeks where there are several activities listed just choose a couple that interest you the most to work on.

We will be focusing on OBEDIENCE this unit. If you don’t have the book we used you can go HERE and download a lesson plan guide to use in your home.

Tip: If you want to go to a certain week/chapter or subject simply push the ‘ctrl’ and the ‘F’ button down together and a small bar will pop up. Type in the week number or chapter number you want and it will take you to it.

Week 1: Chapters 1 & 2

1. Research chores for Pioneer Children

• Read Sarah Morton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl
• Watch these videos:

Check out the 2nd video for some Pioneer skills you can learn.

• Discuss what you learned.
• How do their chores differ from yours?
• What was Ma’s chore schedule? Do this activity to test your memory:

Ma’s Chore Schedule Activity Week 1

• Little ones can use Ma’s chore schedule to learn the days of the week.

 Pioneer chores vs. Modern chores.

Laura was 4 years old when this book took place. How did her chores/responsibilities compare to yours? What chores can you help with around the house?

• Here is a list of Pioneer chores.
• Here is a slide show of Pioneer Chores.
• Here is a printable Chore Chart by ages.

Watch this video of kids doing farm chores.

2. Ways to help around the house like Laura

Arise, Shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. — Isaiah 60:1

• Making the Bed
  • We should get in the habit of making our beds every day because it helps us get a great start for a productive day!

3. Character/Manners

– Read ‘Six Ways to be Considerate to Adults’ p. 22 in Uncommon Courtesy For Kids: A Training Manual For Everyone

– Read ‘Uncommon Courtesy is considering the needs and feelings of others.’ p. 12 in Uncommon Courtesy For Kids: A Training Manual For Everyone

• Laura interrupted Mary in the story. Was this wrong?
• Discuss how important it is not to interrupt others and how it might make others feel when we interrupt them. (It can make others feel like you don’t think what they have to say is important or that you feel you are better than they are when you interrupt them.)
• Come up with a way for children to let you know that they need to tell you something without interrupting. (They can gently place their hand on your hand or arm and wait until you finish.)

4. Memory Verse

• Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
  • He who answers before listening – that is his folly and shame. –– Proverbs 18:13 
• Older kids can check out this Doodle Page via Verse Doodles.

5. Fun Activities

• Plan a meal where you can use cracklings. They can be put into cornbread (or hoe cakes) for flavoring. You could substitute chopped bacon if cracklings are not available.
• Bake bread see Salt-Rising Bread p. 75 in The Little House Cookbook
• Bake cookies
• Make butter. Click HERE for a recipe or watch the video below.

• Write out the steps for making butter.
• How does your butter compare to store bought butter?
• See if you can get or borrow a sewing kit. Start practicing the sewing skills listed on pages 6-11 of My Little House Sewing Book.

6. Bonus Skills — Choose one or two to work on

• Practice these until you finish this unit study and then we will move on to another new skill.
• Memorize the books of the Bible:

• Learn about archery which is a skill that has been around for thousands of years.

  • Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field and take me some venison. — Genesis 27:3
  • You will need a good book or DVD on archery.
  • You will also need a properly sized bow and arrows for practice.
  • Don’t forget a target and a backstop.
  • Learn the parts of the bow and what they do.
  • Learn the parts of an arrow and what they do.
  • Ask an adult to show you how to safely shoot your bow.

• Learn the skill of baking homemade nutritious foods from scratch.

  • …It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God — Luke 4:4
  • You will need a good cook book.
  • Start with simple recipes.
  • Make sure you have all of the ingredients before you start.
  • Read through the entire recipe before you start.
  • Ask an adult to show you how to work the oven safely.
  • Start a recipe collection.

Week 2: Chapters 3 & 4

1. Research Pioneer food preservation.

• How do the different food preservation methods keep us from getting sick?
• Watch the video:

• Discuss what you learned.
• Name 3 methods of preserving food that we still use today.

2. Ways to help around the house like Laura

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine… for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof. — Psalm 50:10

• Taking Care of Your Pets
  • This video is about taking care of a dog but many of the responsibilities will be the same for other pets.

3. Character/Manners

– Read ‘Make Time For Courtesy.’ p. 14 in Uncommon Courtesy For Kids: A Training Manual For Everyone

– Read ‘Four Words to the Wise.’ p. 18 in Uncommon Courtesy For Kids: A Training Manual For Everyone

• Discuss how important it is to use our ‘Please and Thank You’s’.

4. Memory Verse

• Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
  • Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, ‘I was only joking!’ — Proverbs 26: 18-19
  • Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self control. — Proverbs 25:28

5. Fun Activities

• Research how to dry food.

• Discuss what you learned
• Bonus points if you actually try it and write about what method you used and how everything tastes.
• Make a needle book like the one Aunt Eliza gave to Ma using the instructions on pages 12-15 of My Little House Sewing Book.

6. Bonus Skills — Choose one or two to work on

• Practice these until you finish this unit study and then we will move on to another new skill.
• Memorize the books of the Bible:

• Learn about archery

• Learn about baking

Week 3: Chapters 5, 6, & 7

1. Research Pioneer Children’s School Lunch

• Check out this link HERE for more information.
• Discuss what you learned.
• How does this compare to your normal lunch?

Watch this fun video about school lunches:

Check out these interesting ways to use Maple Syrup:

2. Ways to help around the house like Laura

For God is not the author of confusion, but peace… Let all things be done decently and in order.  — 1 Corinthians 14:33,40

God wants us to do a good job every time we do something no matter how little or how big of a task it is.

• Setting the table
  • It is important to set the table properly each time so each person has what they need for their meal.

3. Character/Manners

– Read ‘Six Table Manners.’ p. 24 in Uncommon Courtesy For Kids: A Training Manual For Everyone

– Read ‘Seven Rules for Going to Church.’ p. 30 in Uncommon Courtesy For Kids: A Training Manual For Everyone

• Practice good table manners

• Make a list of good table manners to use at your home.
• Check out this fun activity: Table Setting Paper Craft

4. Memory Verse

• Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
  • He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. — Proverbs 13:20
  • He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. — Proverbs 11: 27

5. Fun Activities

• Make a pancake man for breakfast using this recipe.
• Make Molasses Candy see p.192 in The Little House Cookbook
• Make a clove apple (These make great gifts.)

What is a bonus benefit of the clove apple?

• Make pancakes and use real maple syrup.

• Discuss what you learned.

6. Bonus Skills — Choose one or two to work on

• Practice these until you finish this unit study and then we will move on to another new skill.
• Memorize the books of the Bible:

• Learn about archery

• Learn about baking

Week 4: Chapters 8 & 9

1. Research a Pioneer Laundry Day

• Discuss what you learned.
• How is this different from the way you wash clothes?

Watch this video about soap making.

• Discuss what you learned.
• Why did they keep the kids away?

Other:

• Springtime was when the gardens are planted. Click HERE to learn more about pioneer gardens.

Here is a fun video about a pioneer dance which may be similar to the one described in Chapter 8.

2. Ways to help around the house like Laura

Sin can pile up in our hearts just like dirty clothes can pile up in our rooms. We need to make to sure to get our hearts washed and our clothes washed on a regular basis.

• Check out this Sorting Laundry Activity
• Use this Sequencing Worksheet to make a chart showing the laundry cycle from sorting, to washing, to drying, to folding and putting away, and clean up.
• Check out this video about the benefits of hanging your clothes out on the line:

3. Character/Manners

– Read ‘Six Manners of Speech.’ p. 16 in Uncommon Courtesy For Kids: A Training Manual For Everyone

– Read ‘Four Awkward Things That Happen To Everyone.’ p. 35 in Uncommon Courtesy For Kids: A Training Manual For Everyone

• The girls were arguing in Chapter 8 which was Foolish.
• Look up the meaning of foolish.
• Read Proverbs 22:15.

4. Memory Verse

• Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
  • Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man’s friend- deserts him. — Proverbs 19:4
  • He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done. — Proverbs 19:17

5. Fun Activities

• Make Hasty Pudding see p. 20 in The Little House Cookbook
• Learn how to braid hair.

• Try out some rag curls. They use paper towels in this video.

• Make your own soap

6. Bonus Skills — Choose one or two to work on

• Practice these until you finish this unit study and then we will move on to another new skill.
• Memorize the books of the Bible:

• Learn about archery

• Learn about baking

Week 5: Chapters 10 & 11

1. Research Beekeeping

Here is a short video to get you started.

• Discuss what you learned.

Watch this video about Pioneer gardening:

• Discuss what you learned.
• Name 3 vegetables that were in the pioneer garden.

2. Ways to help around the house like Laura

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: without me ye can do nothing.— John 15:5

Weeds can hinder the growth of plants just like sin can keep us from growing in the way the Lord wants us to grow.

• Weed the Garden

Here’s a fun little video for kids:

3. Character/Manners

– Read ‘Phone Manners.’ p. 26 in Uncommon Courtesy For Kids: A Training Manual For Everyone

– Read ‘How to Take a Phone Message.’ p. 28 in Uncommon Courtesy For Kids: A Training Manual For Everyone

• How does having a foolish child affect the parents?
• Read Proverbs 17:21, 17:25, and 19:13

4. Memory Verse

• Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
  • A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. — Proverbs 13:1
  • The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful. — Proverbs 12:22

5. Fun Activities

• Grow a sunflower in a pot.

• Play ‘What Should You Do? A game of Consequences’ to practice making good choices.

6. Bonus Skills — Choose one or two to work on

• Practice these until you finish this unit study and then we will move on to another new skill.
• Memorize the books of the Bible:

• Learn about archery

• Learn about baking

• Check out this recipe here: Granny’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

Week 6: Chapters 12 & 13

1. Research Pioneer Quilting

• Discuss what you learned.
• Where did they get the material for making quilts?
• Do you have any quilts in your home?

Quilts were used to keep warm in the winter. Check out these articles to learn about how the pioneers prepared for winter:

• Winter Survival Skills That Kept The Pioneers Alive
• What the Pioneers Stockpiled To Survive Winter
• Discuss what you learned.
• How do we prepare for the winter?

2. Ways to help around the house like Laura

• Wash dishes
  •  When you are washing dishes you need to keep in mind how God washes us clean and do a good job to get them sparkling clean.

3. Character/Manners

– Read ‘Eight Rules for Traveling in the Car.’ p. 32 in Uncommon Courtesy For Kids: A Training Manual For Everyone

– Read ‘Sometimes, Being “Rude” Is the Rule.’ p. 36 in Uncommon Courtesy For Kids: A Training Manual For Everyone

• Laura tried to please her father by being obedient.
• Look up obedient in the dictionary.
• Read Exodus 20:12.

4. Memory Verse

• Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
  • Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam: so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. — Proverbs 17: 14
  • A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. — Proverbs 15:17

5. Fun Activities

• Find some fun ideas for your Gold Rush Party
• Look up some fun recipes for your Gold Rush Party
• Make some decorations for your Gold Rush Party
• Check out the fun quilting ideas at Oriental Trading! You might also find some party ideas there!

Watch this video:

6. Bonus Skills — Choose one or two to work on

• Practice these until you finish this unit study and then we will move on to another new skill.
• Memorize the books of the Bible:

• Learn about archery

• Learn about baking

Week 7: Finishing Up

Be sure to continue practicing your manners at home and away from home.

1. Research Maple Syrup as an alternative natural sweetener

• Discuss what you learned.

2. Research the history of Johnny Cakes

• Watch this video:

• What are two other names these are known by?
• Bonus points for making up a batch of these today! Here is a recipe.

Check out these Pioneer recipes that are still around today:

• Pioneer Recipes to Try In Your Homestead Today

3. Learn about the Sabbath Day.

• Discuss what you learned.
• How can you observe the Sabbath Day in your home?

Bonus Lesson/Activities:

• Make some Pioneer Taffy.
• Check out this video about preparing for a Pioneer Trek. (Mormon Pioneer Trek Preparation Demo)

• Learn how to clean a gun, with your parent’s permission!
• Look up at least two Bible verses about Gold, choose one to memorize.
• Research Pioneer Fashion

Here is one about Amish clothing which is similar to the pioneer clothing:

• Discuss what you learned.
• How do these differ from our clothing today?

**BE SURE TO SAVE A FEW SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK FOR YOUR  

PORTFOLIO!  TAKE PICTURES OF BIG PROJECTS!