Tag: herbs

On the Banks of Plum Creek Week 3 Lesson Plans

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog2 Comments

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.

a4f356a8-2a6f-4280-abd7-33bce0719b96-4019-000000c2c1f8254c_file

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.

d3cbca65-c096-4094-b421-827b79058cc5-4019-000000c2ec08e8e6_file

This one came from Lakeshore Learning.

The younger kids will also be watching some of these videos while I work with the older ones:

We may also use some of the songs found HERE.

And we will be trying out some relaxing background music with Google.

We also like to use this song during our ‘Morning Time’ to help the kids learn the 50 States. 

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.

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

Answer can be found HERE.

Answer Key Password: momsrock

Week 3: Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18

(A Merry Christmas, Spring Freshet, The Footbridge, The Wonderful House, Moving In, and The Old Crab and the Bloodsuckers)

Here is our lesson plan for the week:

Language Arts

Reading:

Read Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18

Discussion Questions:

Chapter Thirteen (A Merry Christmas):

  • What did the girls make for Carrie?
  • Where did they get the materials?
  • What was the weather like?
  • What did the girls get in their stockings?
  • What surprise did Santa bring?

Chapter Fourteen (Spring Freshet):

  • What woke Laura up?
  • What was making the noise?
  • What did Laura do?

Chapter Fifteen (The Footbridge):

  • Why did Laura sneak out of the house?
  • What happened to her?
  • Did Ma punish her? Why or why not?

Chapter Sixteen (The Wonderful House):

  • What did they name the horses?
  • What did Laura do when she heard the horses coming? Why?
  • What did Pa bring from town?
  • What do you think ‘a lick and a promise’ means? Click HERE for a definition.
  • What secret did Pa ask the girls not to tell Ma about?

Chapter Seventeen (Moving In):

  • What did Ma think of her new stove? How can you tell?
  • What did Ma make the curtains out of?
  • Where did Ma put her china doll?
  • What did the girls each have in their room? What did they keep in them?
  • What sound made Laura happy?

Chapter Eighteen (The Old Crab and the Bloodsuckers):

  • What did the girls find in the lean-to? How did they feel about it? Is this something that would make you happy?
  • Why did the girls work fast to finish their chores?
  • What did the girls find in the water? What did the girls do?
  • What else did the girls find? Click HERE a picture.

Additional Reading:

Older Children:

Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.

Younger Children:

Younger kids will also be doing one lesson a day from Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

We are also working through All About Reading Level Pre-reading with William as he needed something a little different from what we had been doing.

Vocabulary/Spelling:

Print: On the Banks of Plum Creek Vocabulary Week Three List

Older Kids:

Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.

Younger Kids:

Handwriting:

Older Kids:

-or-

Younger Kids:

Writing:**

We will be using the Writing Activity Station Kit from Lakeshore Learning for some of our lessons.

  • Write a descriptive paragraph about the sounds that you hear at night.
  • Write a descriptive paragraph that appeals to the senses.

*Remember to use the thesaurus to come up with different words.

Watch this video on adjectives:

  • Identify adjectives from page 98.

Other Activities:

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:

Math

You may find it easier to buy a Math Workbook to work through as you go along with the study.

** For fun you may try ‘ciphering’ on a slate with a slate pencil.

Group:

Rotate through these activities:

Older Kids:

Younger Kids:

Geography and History

Memorize the Continents and Oceans using the videos below to help:

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Illinois.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Landforms & Mapping

Maps:

Landforms:

  • Hills

  • Canyons

3. Bonus

Extra:

We will also be using this People Long Ago Resource Box from Lakeshore Learning to go with our lessons.

People Long Ago Resource Box&nbsp;- Gr.&nbsp;<span style="white-space: nowrap;">1-3</span>

There are also some other resources available here:

Science

1. Pick one or two topics to learn about:

  • Crabs

  • Leeches

  • Creek animals

2. Learn about the weather and seasons.

  • Floods

3. Read:

Extra Activities:

Nature Up Close! Light Table Slides

Life Skills

We will be discussing some of the character qualities that are displayed in the book but if you would like to do a separate character study lesson you can download one HERE.

1. Memory Verse

We will be memorizing Psalm 51 during this unit study. Print it HERE.

  • Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
    • Verse 5: Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
    • Verse 6: Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
  • Older kids can copy the memory verse down in their notebook.

2. Character

  • God made us all unique and special.
  • Mary was surprised by something Laura did, something she would never have done. Do you remember what that was?

– Sometimes being unique means we are tempted by things that others aren’t.

  • Name some ways that Laura was tempted.
  • Did you know that God is always with you and he can help you make wise choices?

– Read Proverbs 22:7

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

  • Pa didn’t want to be in debt to anyone. Do you know what this means?

3.Manners

– Read pages 33 through 41 of Emily Post’s Table Manners for Kids and discuss the manners below:

  • What tools do we need for eating?
  • When is it okay to use your fingers?
  • How do you set the table?
  • What special tools will you find at a three-course dinner?
  • How do you use chopsticks? (Maybe try eating a meal with chopsticks to practice.)
  • What is different about a formal dinner?
  • Practice these manners as you eat.

4. Fun Activities

  • Watch this video about learning to fish:

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

Practice these until you finish this unit study and then we will move on to new skills.

Emergency Preparedness

Kids Cook Real Food 

Skill Trek

  • Work on at least one task a week.
  • Practice your new skill this week.

Back to the Basics

Learn and practice some traditional skills from the book.

  • Read pages 14-18
  • Discuss what you learned.

Herb Study

Dog Training

We are using Lucky Dog Lessons: Train Your Dog in 7 Days as a guide for training our puppy.

  • Discuss what you have learned
  • Practice the techniques with your puppy this week.

  • Discuss what you have learned
  • Practice the techniques with your puppy this week.

Note:

We will also be using:

PE, Health & Safety

1. Nutrition

2. Games/Outdoor Play

Music, Arts & Crafts

Crafts:

Art:

Music:

You can check out my Pinterest page Little House on the Prairie Crafts for even more crafts and activities.

**BE SURE TO SAVE A FEW SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK FOR YOUR  PORTFOLIO!  TAKE PICTURES OF BIG PROJECTS!

**This post does contain affiliate links to products and/or services that we use. We may earn a teensy weensy small commission (at NO EXTRA cost to you) if a purchase is made through these links. These links help to support our family, our blog, and our homeschooling mission.

 –Thank you!

cbb50bd8766c7aa42f36c52ccb002790.jpg

Make Your Home a Chemical Free Zone Today!

On the Banks of Plum Creek Week 2 Lesson Plans

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog3 Comments

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.

a4f356a8-2a6f-4280-abd7-33bce0719b96-4019-000000c2c1f8254c_file

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.

d3cbca65-c096-4094-b421-827b79058cc5-4019-000000c2ec08e8e6_file

This one came from Lakeshore Learning.

The younger kids will also be watching some of these videos while I work with the older ones:

We may also use some of the songs found HERE.

And we will be trying out some relaxing background music with Google.

We also like to use this song during our ‘Morning Time’ to help the kids learn the 50 States. 

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.

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

Answer can be found HERE.

Answer Key Password: momsrock

Week 2: Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12

(Ox on the Roof, Straw-Stack, Grasshopper Weather, Cattle in the Hay, Runaway, and The Christmas Horses)

Language Arts

Reading:

Read Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12

Discussion Questions:

Chapter Seven (Ox on the Roof):

  • What was Mary and Laura’s new chore? Would you like this? Why or why not?
  • Why did Pete and Bright go with the other cattle?
  • What awful thing did Pete do?
  • How did this make Laura feel? How can you tell?

Chapter Eight (Straw-Stack):

  • What tool did Pa use for harvesting wheat? Click HERE for pictures.
  • Why would you not want to play with this?
  • What bad thing did the girls do?
  • Who else could have been affected by their disobedience? How?

Chapter Nine (Grasshopper Weather):

  • What did the girls pick after their chores? Click HERE for pictures.
  • How did they harvest the plums? How did they prepare the plums for storage?
  • What would Mary rather do than pick plums?
  • What season are they in? What was peculiar about the weather?
  • What do you think they meant by ‘Grasshopper Weather’?

Chapter Ten (Cattle in the Hay):

  • Where did Mary and Laura stay while Pa and Ma went to town? Why?
  • Where did Ma get the material for Carrie’s new dress?
  • What happened to the haystacks?
  • How did the girls save the hay?
  • Why had the cattle wandered to their place?

Chapter Eleven (Runaway):

  • Where did Mary and Laura sit to wait for Pa and Ma?
  • What did the girls see when the wagon came into view?
  • What did they think was going to happen? What actually happened?
  • Why did Pa say that had happened?
  • What did Laura say she liked better than cattle?

Chapter Twelve (The Christmas Horses):

  • What did the family have for Thanksgiving dinner?
  • How did Ma feel about the dugout?
  • What did Pa say they would have for the next year?
  • What was Laura worried about?
  • How did Ma describe Santa Claus?
  • What did the girls for Santa Claus to bring? Why?

Additional Reading:

Older Children:

Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.

Younger Children:

Younger kids will also be doing one lesson a day from Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

We are also working through All About Reading Level Pre-reading with William as he needed something a little different from what we had been doing.

Vocabulary/Spelling:

Print: On the Banks of Plum Creek Week Two Vocabulary List

Older Kids:

Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.

Younger Kids:

Handwriting:

Older Kids:

-or-

Younger Kids:

Writing:

We will be using the Writing Activity Station Kit from Lakeshore Learning for some of our lessons.

Choose one prompt below:

  • Write about your chores and which ones you like and dislike.
  • Write about a day in the life of Pete.

**Remember to use the thesaurus to come up with different words.

Watch this video about descriptive writing:

Watch this video about descriptive writing:

Other Activities:**

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:

Math

You may find it easier to buy a Math Workbook to work through as you go along with the study.

** For fun you may try ‘ciphering’ on a slate with a slate pencil.

Group:

Rotate through these activities:

Older Kids:

Younger Kids:

Geography and History

Memorize the Continents and Oceans using the videos below to help:

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Louisiana.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Landforms & Mapping

Maps:

Landforms:

  • Rivers

  • Mountains

3. Bonus

Extra:

We will also be using this People Long Ago Resource Box from Lakeshore Learning to go with our lessons.

People Long Ago Resource Box&nbsp;- Gr.&nbsp;<span style="white-space: nowrap;">1-3</span>

There are also some other resources available here:

Science

1. Pick one or two topics to learn about:

  • Animal Groups

  • Insects

  • Bees

  • Response to Fear

2. Learn about the weather and seasons.

  • Spring

3. Read

Extra Activities:

Fun Express Animal Bingo Game For Kids, Animal Recognition, Educational Games For Classroom

Life Skills

We will be discussing some of the character qualities that are displayed in the book but if you would like to do a separate character study lesson you can download one HERE.

1. Memory Verse

We will be memorizing Psalm 51 during this unit study. Print it HERE.

  • Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
    • Verse 3: For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
    • Verse 4: Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
  • Older kids can copy the memory verse down in their notebook.

2. Character

  • Did you know that questioning the law or rules can be a sin?
  • Did you know that telling half-truths is a sin?

  • Laura led Mary astray. Why is it so important for us to be careful of what we do?
  • Why should we do what is right?

– Read Proverbs 20:11:

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

  • How does this apply to Johnny?

– Read Being Selfish

  • How was Laura being unselfish? (Chapter 12)

Being Selfish (Help Me Be Good) by [Berry, Joy]

3. Manners

– Read pages 22 through 31 of Emily Post’s Table Manners for Kids and discuss the manners used in each situation below:

  • How should food be passed around the table?
  • How should you ask for something to be passed?
  • How do you tell the salt and pepper shaker apart?
  • How should you cut food?
  • How should you eat spaghetti?
  • How should you drink beverages?
  • What are some special tips?
  • How should you eat desserts?
  • Practice these manners when you eat.

4. Fun Activities

  • Watch this video on wheat threshing:

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

Practice these until you finish this unit study and then we will move on to new skills.

Emergency Preparedness

Kids Cook Real Food 

  • Work on your next lesson.
  • Help to prepare a meal using your new skills.
  • Freebie Snacks

Skill Trek

  • Work on at least one task a week.
  • Practice your new skill this week.

Back to the Basics

Learn and practice some traditional skills from the book.

  • Read pages 12-13
  • Discuss what you learned.

Herb Study

Dog Training

We are using Lucky Dog Lessons: Train Your Dog in 7 Days as a guide for training our puppy.

  • Did you learn any helpful tips?

  • Discuss what you have learned
  • Practice the techniques with your puppy this week.

PE, Health & Safety

1. Food Safety

Health&nbsp;& Safety Theme Box

2. Games/Outdoor Play

Music, Arts & Crafts

Crafts:**

Art:

Music:

You can check out my Pinterest page Little House on the Prairie Crafts for even more crafts and activities.

**BE SURE TO SAVE A FEW SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK FOR YOUR  PORTFOLIO!  TAKE PICTURES OF BIG PROJECTS!

**This post does contain affiliate links to products and/or services that we use. We may earn a teensy weensy small commission (at NO EXTRA cost to you) if a purchase is made through these links. These links help to support our family, our blog, and our homeschooling mission.

 –Thank you!

On the Banks of Plum Creek Week 1 Lesson Plans

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog3 Comments

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.

a4f356a8-2a6f-4280-abd7-33bce0719b96-4019-000000c2c1f8254c_file

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.

d3cbca65-c096-4094-b421-827b79058cc5-4019-000000c2ec08e8e6_file

This one came from Lakeshore Learning.

The younger kids will also be watching some of these videos while I work with the older ones:

We may also use some of the songs found HERE.

And we will be trying out some relaxing background music with Google.

We also like to use this song during our ‘Morning Time’ to help the kids learn the 50 States. 

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.

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

Answer can be found HERE.

Answer Key Password: momsrock

Week 1: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

(The Door in the Ground, The House in the Ground, Rushes and Flags, Deep Water, Strange Animal, and Wreath of Roses)

Here is our lesson plan for the week:

Language Arts

We plan to use this FREE Lapbook to go along with our study.

Reading:

Read Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

Discussion Questions:

Chapter One (The Door in the Ground):

  • What four states did they travel through?
  • Why did Mr. Hanson want to sell his place?
  • What did Pa trade for the house?
  • How was this new house different from their old house? Click HERE for pictures.

Chapter Two (The House in the Ground):

  • Why was Laura sad?
  • How was the house made?
  • What did Pa bring back from town?
  • How far away was the town?
  • What new animals did they have? Click HERE for pictures.
  • How did Laura feel about them?

Chapter Three (Rushes and Flags):

  • What are Rushes? Click HERE for pictures.
  • What did Laura learn that she could do with the Rushes?
  • What are Flags? Click HERE for pictures.
  • What did the girls do with the Flags?
  • What did Ma say the girls would turn into?
  • What did Pa warn the girls about?

Chapter Four (Deep Water):

  • Where did Pa take the family?
  • What did they see on the way there? Click HERE for pictures.
  • What did Ma warn Laura about?
  • What happened to Laura when she disobeyed?

Chapter Five (Strange Animal):

  • Where did Laura go? Why?
  • What did Laura see? Click HERE for pictures.
  • How did it make Laura feel? How can you tell?
  • What was Laura’s punishment for being disobedient?

Chapter Six (Wreath of Roses):

  • What did Laura like to watch?
  • Why did she not touch?
  • Who was Johnny? How did Laura describe him?
  • Why couldn’t they talk to him?
  • What did Pa bring home? How did he get it?
  • What important lesson did Laura learn?

Additional Reading:

Older Children:

Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.

Younger Children:

Younger kids will also be doing one lesson a day from Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

We are also working through All About Reading Level Pre-reading with William as he needed something a little different from what we had been doing.

Vocabulary/Spelling:

Print:  On the Banks of Plum Creek Week One Vocabulary List

Older Kids:

Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.

Younger Kids:

Handwriting:

Older Kids:

-or-

Younger Kids:

Writing:**

We will be making a journal to record some of our pioneer adventures in. The link to the journal is HERE.

We will be using the Writing Activity Station Kit from Lakeshore Learning for some of our lessons.

Choose one prompt below:

  • Write about a time that someone in your family traded something to benefit the family.
  • Write about a day in the life of a butterfly.

**Remember to use the thesaurus to come up with different words.

Watch this video on foreshadowing:

Other Activities:**

Group:

Word Fun

Older kids:

Younger kids:

Math

You may find it easier to buy a Math Workbook to work through as you go along with the study.

** For fun you may try ‘ciphering’ on a slate with a slate pencil.

Group:

Rotate through these activities:

MÖBI Kids-The Numerical Tile Game for Kids in a Whale Pouch with Included Activity Booklet

Older Kids:

Younger Kids:

Geography and History

Memorize the Continents and Oceans using the videos below to help:

 

1. State Study

  • Print out this map HERE or this one HERE. You can color in the states as you learn them and track Laura’s journeys.
  • This week we will study Minnesota.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

  • Mark the route that the family may have taken on your map.

2. Landforms & Mapping

Maps:

Landforms:

You can print out a lapbook  HERE.

  • Plateaus (tableland p.22)

  • Valleys

3. Bonus

Research Dugout homes

  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • What are the pros and cons of a dugout home?
  • Compare this to your home. Make a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast the two.

Extra:

We will also be using this People Long Ago Resource Box from Lakeshore Learning to go with our lessons.

People Long Ago Resource Box&nbsp;- Gr.&nbsp;<span style="white-space: nowrap;">1-3</span>

There are also some other resources available here:

Science

1. Pick one or two topics to learn about:

  • Willow Trees

  • Morning Glories

  • Growing plants

  • Butterflies

  • Lichens

  • Badgers

  • Heat Transfer

2. Learn about the weather and seasons.

  • Seasons

3. Read:

Curiositree: Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature - Jacket unfolds into a huge wall poster!

4. Extra Activities:

5. Bonus

Look at a sample of pond water under a microscope and compare it to a sample of tap water. Watch this video if you don’t have access to pond water or a microscope.

  • Discuss what you learned.
  • What surprised you the most about this activity?

Life Skills

We will be discussing some of the character qualities that are displayed in the book but if you would like to do a separate character study lesson you can download one HERE.

1. Memory Verse

We will be memorizing Psalm 51 during this unit study. Print it HERE.

psalm-51.png

  • Work on memorizing two verses during the week for a special prize.
    • Verse 1: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
    • Verse 2: Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
  • Older kids can copy the memory verse down in their notebook.

2. Character

Complaining:

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. – Philippians 2:14-15

  • What did Laura complain about?

– Being honest. God hates lying.

  • Read this lesson HERE.
  • Why do you think Laura needed to tell Pa about her adventure?
  • Should you be honest?

  • Laura’s punishment was that she had to be watched, she had lost her freedom.
  • Do you think Laura like losing her freedom?

3. Manners

– Read the intro page through page 21 of Emily Post’s Table Manners for Kids and discuss the manners used in each situation below:

  • How should you come to the table?
  • What do you do before you begin eating?
  • What happens as you are getting started eating?
  • What are the rules for bread?
  • How do you eat soup?
  • How do you eat salad?
  • How do you eat cherry tomatoes?
  • Practice these manners when you eat.

Emily Post's Table Manners for Kids

4. Fun Activities

  • Watch this video about the pioneers:

Bugs Floor: 24 Jumbo Pieces

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

Practice these until you finish this unit study and then we will move on to new skills.

Emergency Preparedness

Kids Cook Real Food 

Skill Trek

  • Work on at least one task a week.
  • Practice your new skill this week.

Back to the Basics

Learn and practice some traditional skills from the book.

  • Read pages 10-11
  • Discuss what you learned.

Herb Study

A Kid’s Herb Book: For Children of All Ages

Dog Training

We are using Lucky Dog Lessons: Train Your Dog in 7 Days as a guide for training our puppy.

  • What are the seven basic commands?
  • How many does your dog know?

  • Discuss what you have learned
  • Practice the techniques with your puppy this week.

Also watch this video:

We will also be using:

PE, Health & Safety

1. Water Purification Safety

Drinking unpurified water can sometimes make you very sick.

The Magic School Bus At The Waterworks

  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • Research some diseases and illnesses that you could get from unpurified water.
  • Play a Magic School Bus Game

2. Games/Outdoor Play

Music, Arts & Crafts

Crafts:

Art:**

Music:

You can check out my Pinterest page Little House on the Prairie Crafts for even more crafts and activities.

**BE SURE TO SAVE A FEW SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK FOR YOUR  PORTFOLIO!  TAKE PICTURES OF BIG PROJECTS!

**This post does contain affiliate links to products and/or services that we use. We may earn a teensy weensy small commission (at NO EXTRA cost to you) if a purchase is made through these links. These links help to support our family, our blog, and our homeschooling mission.

 –Thank you!

Little House On The Prairie Adventure Week 7 Lesson Plans

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog2 Comments

**Although I try to provide as many FREE resources as possible this post may contain affiliate links alt no extra cost to you. We may earn a small commission, if a purchase is made through these links, which helps to support our blog and our family. Thank you!

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.

a4f356a8-2a6f-4280-abd7-33bce0719b96-4019-000000c2c1f8254c_file

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.

d3cbca65-c096-4094-b421-827b79058cc5-4019-000000c2ec08e8e6_file

This one came from Lakeshore Learning.

We also like to use this song during our ‘Morning Time’ to help the kids learn the 50 States. 

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 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21 (Mr. Edwards Meets Santa Claus, A Scream in the Night, Indian Jamboree )

Here is our lesson plan for the week:

Language Arts

Reading:

Read Chapters 19, 20 & 21

Discussion Questions:

Chapter Nineteen:

  • What holiday was coming up?
  • What did Pa bring Christmas dinner?
  • Why did the girls think Santa couldn’t come?
  • Who did Mr. Edwards say he had saw? What had he sent for the girls?
  • What did the girls find in their stockings?

Chapter Twenty:

  • What games did the girls play with Baby Carrie?
  • What did they hear? Who did Pa think it was?
  • What was really screaming?
  • Who killed the panther?

Chapter Twenty-One:

  • How long was Pa gone?
  • What did Pa trade the furs for?
  • Why did Pa give Mary her package first? What had he brought for them?
  • How did the Indians feel about the settlers?

Additional Reading:

Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.

Younger kids will also be doing one lesson a day from Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

Vocabulary/Spelling:

Older Kids:

Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.

Younger Kids:

Handwriting:

Using  Spencerian Penmanship go over the instructions on p. 11-13

Writing:**

  • Describe a favorite holiday meal that you had with your family.
  • Continue working in your workbook.

Other Activity:

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:

Math

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21

You can work on a lesson in your Ray’s Arithmetic Books or other math workbook. (The lessons below reflect what we worked on.)

Group:

Rotate through these activities:

Older Kids:

Younger Kids:

 

Geography and History

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Nebraska.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Continue to Research Native American Indian Tribes

  • Do some independent research.
  • Be sure to take notes for your report.
  • Watch this video about some interesting facts:

3. Take a tour of a Prairie homestead

Science

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21

1. Continue to Research Prairie Animals.

  • Discuss what you learned.

Listen to these sounds:

  • How would that make you feel?

2. Continue learning about simple machines.

We will be using Explore Simple Machines!: With 25 Great Projects for this study.

What are wedges? Not the shoes.

  • Read pages 57-62 of your book.
  • Write down these words and their definitions:
    • ravine
    • caravan
  • Can you name four uses of wedges? p.59 Write them down.
  • Do one of the activities on pages 63-67.

Watch this video for more information:

  • Discuss what you learned.

3. Get to know your galaxy.

  • Discuss what you learned.

Extra:

Life Skills

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21

1. Just like the settlers the Indians also had routines for their lives.

  • Name some of the things they may have had routines for.
  • Some routines are flexible while others need to be completed in a step by step order.
  • Watch this video on how they tanned the hides:
  • Discuss what you learned.
  • Name three things they may have used the hides for.
  • Write out a Sequencing Worksheet for the tanning routine.
  • What would happen if someone did the steps out of order or forgot a step?

2. Ways to help around the house like Laura

Dusting is a necessary chore as dust can build up quickly around the house. I always loved it when my Mom-mom let me help dust. I was always so very careful with all of the knick knacks she had because I didn’t want to break anything.

Below we will also learn about wiping up smudges which can be done at the same time as dusting.

How to dust:

  • Gather your supplies:
    • Duster, mitt, cloth, or other tool
    • Dusting spray
  • Spray the dusting tool with spray.
    • Be careful not to spray yourself or someone else
  • Dust each item carefully but thoroughly.
  • Items you can dust:
    • coffee table
    • end tables
    • lamps
    • booshelf
    • TV
    • Window sills
    • pictures
    • other items as directed by your parents.
  • Check the room to see if you missed anything.
  • Put away your supplies.

Smudges happen a lot in our home. It seems like no sooner do we clean them up then I see even more here and there. We go through the house about once a week, after we dust, and wipe down the furniture, light switches, and door knobs. This helps to keep everything looking nice and clean.

How to wipe smudges

  • Gather the items needed:
  • Spray a small amount of cleaner on your rag.
  • Gently but thoroughly clean items with smudges:
    • telephones
    • TVs
    • remotes
    • light switches
    • knick knacks
    • doorknobs
    • handles
    • mirrors
    • other shiny surfaces
  • Check to see if you missed any spots.
  • Move from one item to the next.
  • Put away the supplies when you are finished.

3. Character

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.

Memorize: Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. – Colossians 3:20

We will be studying obedience during this unit. What is obedience?

  • Review what we have learned.
  • Have there been times over the past week when it was hard to obey but Jesus helped you?
  • Have you been remembering to pray?

Watch this video about someone who disobeyed God:

  • What did Samuel tell Saul that God wanted him to do?
  • Did Saul obey?
  • Did his disobedience make God happy?
  • Did Saul repent?
  • What happened to Saul because he disobeyed?
  • God wants us to obey Him. He also wants children to obey their parents.
  • Pray for God’s help to obey.

4.Manners

Continue to practice your good manners everywhere you go.

Print out a list of Important Manners HERE. Post it somewhere you can see everyday.

 

5. Memory Verse

We will be memorizing Psalm 8 during this unit study. Print it HERE.

  • Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
    • Verse 7: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
  • Older kids can copy the memory verse down in their notebook.

6. Fun Activities

  • Help plan a holiday meal and make a grocery list to go with it.
  • Show someone how you are good neighbor by doing something nice for them.
  • We read the word ‘bootjack’ in this section. Do you know what a bootjack is?

7. 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.

Kids Cook Real Food 

  • Work on: Bonus Lesson: Potato Salad

  • Help to prepare a meal using your new skills.

Skill Trek:

  • Work on at least one task a week.
  • Practice your new skill this week.

Memorize the books of the Bible:

  • Try it now without the teaching:

Learn about camping.

  • Learn how to build a campfire and give it a try, with your parent’s permission.
  • You will need to gather your own tinder.
  • Build and light your fire with supervision. NEVER light a fire without an adult present!
  • Extra Points for building two or more different types of fires.

Here’s a video to get you started:

Learn about Herbs.

Mullein: The Ear and Lung Herb

  • Discuss what you learned.
  • Be sure to jot down some notes.
  • Research some herbs that the Indians may have used in their cooking.

PE, Health & Safety

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21

1. Wild Animal Safety

When they heard the scream at night Pa thought it may have been a neighbor needing help. He soon realized it was a panther and came back home quickly.

  • Wild animals can be dangerous. Do you know what to do to stay safe if you encounter a wild animal?
  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • What kinds of wild animals could you encounter where you live?
  • How will you keep yourself safe?

2. Games/Outdoor Play

Laura and Mary played games with each other and Baby Carrie. Try any of the games listed below or choose your favorite game to play. These would be really good games for when you are stuck inside the house.

You can find more games and activities in this book:

Pioneer days: Discover the past with fun projects, games, activities, and recipes (American kids in history)

Music, Arts & Crafts

You can find more Native American crafts and activities HERE , HERE, HERE and a FREE printable coloring book HERE.

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21

Crafts:

1. Make musical instruments:

 

2. Christmas

Art:

  1. Santa Claus coloring page
  2. Christmas coloring page

Music:

Some more Plains Indian Music:

 

 

**BE SURE TO SAVE A FEW SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK FOR YOUR  PORTFOLIO!  TAKE PICTURES OF BIG PROJECTS!

Little House On The Prairie Adventure Week 6 Lesson Plans

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog2 Comments

**Although I try to provide as many FREE resources as possible this post may contain affiliate links alt no extra cost to you. We may earn a small commission, if a purchase is made through these links, which helps to support our blog and our family. Thank you!

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.

a4f356a8-2a6f-4280-abd7-33bce0719b96-4019-000000c2c1f8254c_file

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.

d3cbca65-c096-4094-b421-827b79058cc5-4019-000000c2ec08e8e6_file

This one came from Lakeshore Learning.

We also like to use this song during our ‘Morning Time’ to help the kids learn the 50 States. 

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 6: Chapters 16, 17& 18 (Fire in the Chimney, Pa Goes To Town, The Tall Indian)

Here is our lesson plan for the week:

Language Arts

Reading:

Read Chapters 16, 17 & 18

Discussion Questions:

Chapter Sixteen:

  • What preparations were they making for the winter?
  • What bad thing happened? What did Ma do?
  • Why did Ma say that Laura was brave?
  • What did Pa bring home? What did he say they could make from the feathers?
  • Why did they need to go to town?

Chapter Seventeen:

  • Where did Pa go?
  • Why did Mr. Edwards come to the house? What did Jack do?
  • Who came to visit Ma the next day? What did she say about their house?
  • What did Ma make for Pa to warm him up?
  • What special thing did Pa bring back from town that made Ma so happy?

Chapter Eighteen:

  • What did they see more and more of?
  • What ran in front of the house?
  • What did the Indian try to take from the house?
  • What did Pa say the government made the Indians do?

Additional Reading:

Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.

Younger kids will also be doing one lesson a day from Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

Vocabulary/Spelling:

Older Kids:

Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.

Younger Kids:

Handwriting:

Using  Spencerian Penmanship go over the instructions on p. 10

Writing:**

  • Start planning a holiday menu. Include beverages, sides, main dishes, breads, and desserts. Click HERE for worksheets.
  • Design a nice invitation for the meal and send them to people, with your parent’s permission. Click HERE for worksheets.
  • Continue working in your workbook.

Other Activity:

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:

Math

Week 6: Chapters 16, 17 & 18

You can work on a lesson in your Ray’s Arithmetic Books or other math workbook. (The lessons below reflect what we worked on.)

Group:

Rotate through these activities:

Older Kids:

 

Younger Kids:

Geography and History

Week 6: Chapters 16, 17 & 18

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Oregon.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Continue to Research Native American Indian Tribes

  • Learn about tools that the Indians used.
  • Learn about Buffalo hunts and how the Indians used the buffalo.

 

  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • Click HERE to learn about more crafts and tools.
  • Check out this link HERE for a picture showing how each part of the buffalo was used.
  • Complete this Lapbook part HERE.

3. Learn about the Minnesota Massacre

  • Discuss what you learned.

Extra:

Science

Week 6: Chapters 16, 17 & 18

1. Watch this fun video:

  • Discuss what you learned.

2.Why do leaves change color?

  • Watch a video and older kids can do some independent research.
  • Discuss what you learned.

3.Why do birds migrate?

  • Watch a video and older kids can do some independent research.
  • Discuss what you learned.

4. Continue learning about simple machines.

  • We will be using Explore Simple Machines!: With 25 Great Projects for this study.What are inclined planes?
    • Read pages 26-29 of your book.
    • Write down these words and their definitions:
      • lock
      • skeleton
      • switchback
      • ascent
      • descent
    • What are some different ways that inclined planes are used?
    • Do one of the activities on pages 30-33.

    Watch this video for more information:

5. Meet the five dwarfs.

  • Discuss what you learned.

Life Skills

Week 6: Chapters 16, 17 & 18

1. Following Pa’s Example

In this section the family is talking about Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pa went out hunting and found some turkeys. He knew where they would be when the holidays came up so he was thinking ahead and preparing for the holidays in advance.

These events could also benefit from a yearly routine. In our home we keep a Holiday & Party Binder. This helps us prepare for holiday events and party events that we may have coming up.

Every time we host a party we jot down notes and follow the routine we have written down. There are notes telling us how far in advance we need to order things to make sure we get the items we need. This helps to keep everything going smoothly and easily. It also helps us to enjoy the party when the day comes and to spend time with our family and friends while making great memories.

Does your family have a routine for handling holidays?

  • Make a list of things that you normally do for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
  • Jot down some things that you would like to do but never have time for.
  • Work with a parent to decide when and what you need to work on to get prepared for the big day.
  • Think about things that may need done around the house before the holiday as well like:
    • cleaning
    • decorating
    • yard work

Flylady has a Cruising Through The Holidays section that can help if you need ideas.

2. Ways to help around the house like Laura

Sometimes you may not have a mop or the floor may just need a good cleaning that can only be done by hand scrubbing. This would be using what we might hear as ‘elbow grease’.

How to hand scrub a floor:

  • Sweep the floor well before hand scrubbing.
  • Move anything that can be moved to make the job easier.
  • Gather your supplies:
    • bucket
    • hot water
    • cleaner
    • scrub sponge or scrub brush
    • gloves, optional
    • old towels
  • Measure the cleaner into the bucket.
  • Add hot water until half full.
  • Start in one corner and begin scrubbing in a circular motion, working your way around the room going towards the door.
  • Rinse out your scrubber as needed.
  • You may want to use an old towel to wipe up extra water.
  • Check the floor for any missed spots.
  • Empty the bucket.
  • Rinse the bucket and scrubbers.
  • Put away your supplies.
  • When the floor is dry you can put back any items you moved before you started.

3. Character

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.

Memorize: Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. – Colossians 3:20

We will be studying obedience during this unit. What is obedience?

Watch this video to learn about Philippians 2:5-11.

  • What do you think this scripture means?
  • If Jesus humbled himself we should too. verse 7
  • Verse 8 says he humbled himself and became obedient. It is humbling to be obedient but Jesus wants us to be humble.
  • Do you know what the opposite of humble is? Pride
  • How was Jesus rewarded for his obedience? He was exalted and honored.
  • Ask God to help you be obedient and humble like Jesus was.

4. Manners

-Finish reading Emily’s Everyday Manners and discuss the manners shown in the pictures.

  • There are different manners for different places.
  • What you say can make others feel good.
  • Always be:
    • Respectful
    • Considerate
    • Honest
    • Courteous

5. Memory Verse

We will be memorizing Psalm 8 during this unit study. Print it HERE.

  • Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
    • Verse 6: Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
  • Older kids can copy the memory verse down in their notebook.

6. Fun Activities

7. 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.

Kids Cook Real Food 

  • Work on: Class 8 – Rolls, Browning Beef, Cheese Sauce/Steaming (Beginner)

  • Help to prepare a meal using your new skills.

Skill Trek:

  • Work on at least one task a week.
  • Practice your new skill this week.

Memorize the books of the Bible:

  • Try it now without the teaching:

Learn about camping.

  • There are different types of fires. Learn a little about each of these and write what you learned in your notebook.
    • Log Cabin Fire
    • Teepee Fire
    • Upside Down Fire
    • Lean To Fire
    • Star Fire
  • Here is another type of fire:

Learn about Herbs.

Fennel: The Food-Herb that heals

Here’s a video about Fennel Seeds:

  • Discuss what you learned.
  • Be sure to jot down some notes.
  • Research some herbs that you might use when cooking a holiday meal.

PE, Health & Safety

Week 6: Chapters 16, 17 & 18

1. Fire Safety

  • Ma and Laura acted quickly when there was a fire. Would you know what to do if there was a fire in your home?
  • Watch this fire safety video:
  • Discuss what you learned.
  • Come up with a fire safety plan and practice it.

2. Burn Treatment

  • After the fire was out Ma checked Laura for burns but she wasn’t hurt. This was a good thing.
  • We have learned about fire safety but sometimes we might find that we have accidentally gotten burned. Let’s learn about how to treat a burn:
  • Discuss what you have learned.

3. Games/Outdoor Play

Pa told them about the geese and turkeys he saw while out hunting and brought back some ducks for dinner. Have you ever watched the birds flying south for winter? If not, maybe you can keep an eye out for them in the Fall.

Music, Arts & Crafts

You can find more Native American crafts and activities HERE , HERE, HERE and a FREE printable coloring book HERE.

Week 6: Chapters 16, 17 & 18

Crafts:

  1. Turkey Crafts for Kids – Wonderful Art and Craft Ideas for Fall and Thanksgiving
  2. 15 TERRIFIC TURKEY CRAFTS FOR KIDS
  3. Turkey Leaf Lanterns Mason Jar Thanksgiving Craft

 

DIY Paper Turkey Headdress Turkey Hat Crafts

Art:

  1. Make a Turkey from things found in nature: Nature Made Wild Turkey
  2. Turkey Coloring Page

Music:

 

Novum Crafts Feather Headdress

 

**BE SURE TO SAVE A FEW SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK FOR YOUR  PORTFOLIO!  TAKE PICTURES OF BIG PROJECTS!