**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!
These are divided into weekly work as we like to use Loop Scheduling in our home. We simply work on a little bit and then move on to the next subject area. We have four days of ‘school’ and then the fifth day is used to finish up projects that we have been working, for independent study, or fun activities and field trips. Have fun on your Little House on the Prairie Academic Adventures!
Here are our Lesson Plans For Language Arts
Mornings:
We Start every morning off with our prayers and the Pledge of Allegiance. Below is a picture of the prayers that we say and a video of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Not the prettiest example but that’s what we’ve been using for the past few years.
Don’t have a flag? Grab one HEREand print it out to put up somewhere… you could even let the kids make a flag to proudly display. Amazon also has some little ones like this one HERE and HERE.
After this we have our calendar time also where we go over such things as the Days of the Week, the months, and some basic math.
This one came from Lakeshore Learning.
Tip: If you want to go to a certain week/chapter or topic 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
Print out this Lap Book project so that you can start filling in pages as you go!
Reading:
Read Chapters 1 & 2
- You can read it or let the kids help to read it aloud.
- You can also access an audio version:
Discussion Questions:
Chapter One:
- How old do you think Laura was during this period? Why do you think this? (I guessed she was 5-7 but we will find out for sure in Chapter 5.)
- Name something that made Laura feel safe? (Page 3)
- Describe three different ways that the family preserved food for the winter. How did each family member help?
- How do you dress for the winter?
- Name two things that the girls enjoyed playing with? What would you like to play with?
- What was Laura’s favorite time of the day and why?
Chapter Two:
- Name two chores that the girls had to do.
- What did they do after the chores were finished?
- Describe the butter making process.
Additional Reading:
Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.
Vocabulary:
- Little House In The Big Woods Chapter 1 Vocabulary
- Little House In The Big Woods Chapter 2 Vocabulary Crossword
Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.
Writing:**
We will be making a journal to record some of our pioneer adventures in. The link to the journal will be HERE.
Choose one prompt below:
- Write a make believe newspaper article about Pa’s encounter with the panther.
- Make a new ‘butter making song’ to sing while you work.
**Remember to use the thesaurus to come up with different words.
Other Activities:**
Older kids:
- Discuss the difference between fiction and nonfiction.
Younger Kids:
- Pat-a-Cake Activity from Mother Goose Phonics.
Week 2: Chapters 3 & 4
Reading:
Read Chapters 3 & 4
- You can read it or let the kids help to read it aloud.
- You can also access an audio version:
Discussion Questions:
Chapter Three:
- What did Pa have to finish before storytelling could begin?
- What happened if the girls were disobedient?
- Describe the process of cleaning the gun.
- Why was it so important for Pa to kill an animal with one shot?
Chapter Four:
- Name 5 things that they made for the Christmas feast.
- How do you think it felt to ride in the wagon during the winter?
- How did the kids make pictures in the snow? What is this similar to today?
- What did Aunt Eliza think was wrong with Prince?
- What was really wrong with Prince?
- What did Laura get for Christmas?
Additional Reading:
Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.
Vocabulary:
- Little House In The Big Woods Chapters 3 and 4 Vocabulary Word
- Put the words from the worksheet in alphabetical order
Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.
Writing:
Choose one prompt below:
- Write about one of your favorite Christmas gifts.
- Or write a report on the history of guns.
**Remember to use the thesaurus to come up with different words.
Other Activities:
Group:
- Read The Snowy Day. Have you ever played in the snow?
Older Kids:
Younger Kids:
- Cackle, Cackle, Mother Goose activity from Mother Goose Phonics.
Week 3: Chapters 5, 6, & 7
Reading:
Read Chapters 5, 6, & 7
- You can read it or let the kids help to read it aloud.
- You can also access an audio version:
Discussion Questions:
Chapter Five:
- How did they take a bath?
- What special event happened in this Chapter?
- What could they do on the Sabbath?
- What could they not do on the Sabbath?
Chapter Six:
- What time of year was it?
- Why did Pa need to go to town?
- What happened to Ma and Laura while Pa was gone?
- What happened to him on his journey?
- What did Pa bring back?
Chapter Seven:
- What did Pa bring back from Grandpa’s house?
- What did they use it for?
- What was special about the ‘Sugar Snow’?
Additional Reading:
Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.
Vocabulary:
- Little House In The Big Woods Chapter 5 Vocabulary Word
- Little House In The Big Woods Chapters 6 and 7 Vocabulary
Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.
Writing:**
- Make a poster of The Lord’s Prayer and work on memorizing it.
Choose one prompt below:
- Write a favorite memory of your grandma or grandpa.
- Make a Christmas menu and grocery list.
- Write a report about tree sap.
*Remember to use the thesaurus to come up with different words.
Other Activities:
Group:
- Read When the Earth Wakes. What changes do you notice as the seasons change?
Older Kids:
Dictionary Skills:
Younger Kids:
- Old Mother Hubbard activity from Mother Goose Phonics.
Week 4: Chapters 8 & 9
Reading:
Read Chapters 8 & 9
- You can read it or let the kids help to read it aloud.
- You can also access an audio version:
Discussion Questions:
Chapter Eight:
- How did they get ready for their trip?
- What are some ways that you get ready for a trip?
- How did the ladies get ready for the dance?
- What kind of contest did Uncle George and Grandma have? Who won?
Chapter Nine:
- Where did they all go?
- How did Ma curl their hair?
- What were some of the things that they saw on their trip?
- What did they pack for their lunch?
- What happened to Laura because she was being greedy?
Additional Reading:
Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.
Vocabulary:
- Little House In The Big Woods Chapters 8 and 9 Vocabulary Crossword
- Use five of the vocabulary words in a sentence.
Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.
Writing:**
Choose one prompt below:
- Write about the tree house that the Pa made for Mary and Laura.
- Reread how Laura described her Grandmother’s house. Write a description of your house. You can use this form: Cabin Writing Prompt
*Remember to use the thesaurus to come up with different words.
Other Activities:**
Older Kids:
- Draw a picture to go along with your story.
Younger Kids:
- Humpty Dumpty activity from Mother Goose Phonics.
Week 5: Chapters 10 & 11
Reading:
Read Chapters 10 & 11
- You can read it or let the kids help to read it aloud.
- You can also access an audio version:
Discussion Questions:
Chapter Ten:
- What time of year was it?
- Why was Mrs. Peterson’s house always clean?
- How did they send messages?
- How do we send messages?
- What were the wood chips for? It was considered impolite to enter someone’s house without bringing in some kindling when the weather was cool.
- Describe the cheese making process.
- What treat did Pa find?
Chapter Eleven:
- What time of year was it?
- What did they need Charlie to help with?
- Was Charlie a good helper? Why?
Additional Reading:
Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.
Vocabulary:**
- Little House In The Big Woods Chapters 10 and 11 Vocabulary Match Up
- Put the vocabulary words in alphabetical order.
Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.
Writing:
Choose one prompt below:
- Rewrite Charlie’s story as if he had been a good helper.
- Write a rhyming poem about the season. Describe what you see, feel, smell, and taste.
**Remember to use the thesaurus to come up with different words.
Other Activity:
Group:
- Read ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf‘. What lesson can be learned?
Older Kids:
Younger Kids:
- Bow-Wow activity from Mother Goose Phonics.
Week 6: Chapters 12 & 13
Reading:
Read Chapters 12 & 13 (This will finish the book.)
- You can read it or let the kids help to read it aloud.
- You can also access an audio version:
Discussion Questions:
Chapter Twelve:
- How did Ma make the straw hats?
- Name some ways that they were not wasteful.
- How did they prepare for winter?
- Name three foods that were mentioned. Have you ever eaten any of these?
- What wonderful idea did Pa have? Did it work out well?
Chapter Thirteen:
- What time of year was it?
- What had Laura and Mary started making? page 230
- What is a deer lick and how did Pa make one?
- What did Pa bring back from his hunting trip?
Additional Reading:
Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.
Vocabulary:
- Little House In The Big Woods Chapters 12 and 13 Vocabulary Word Scramble
- Use five of the vocabulary words in a sentence.
Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.
Writing:**
Write a book report. You can use one of these forms HERE.
Other Activity:
Older Kids:
- Read The Story of Salt. Why is salt so important?
Younger Kids:**
- Hickory, Dickory, Dock activity from Mother Goose Phonics.
Week 7: Finishing Up
Reading:
Finish any reading.
Choose one or two books from this list to read:
- Kirby’s Kids Grade by Grade Homeschool Reading List
- Read Why Should I Recycle. How did the family recycle?
Additional Reading:
Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.
Vocabulary:**
Writing:
- Choose a writing prompt that you haven’t used.
Bonus Activity:
- Rewriting and Editing – Grizzly Bear Facts (use the ‘download’ link to the right of the page)
**BE SURE TO SAVE A FEW SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO! TAKE PICTURES OF BIG PROJECTS!
Pollywog's Place Blog 