laura ingalls wilder – Pollywog's Place Blog

I’m so excited to announce that this is finally finished! It’s not quite the same format as our previous unit studies, but they will be so educational and entertaining for the whole family. I am giving you a chance to download the PDF right now as I continue to work on adding links to the weekly lesson plans. I am hoping to have them ready by next month…

As the autumn air crisps and we head into the colder months, there is nothing quite like gathering the kids around a cozy fire for storytime. But what if your read-aloud time could double as your entire homeschool curriculum? This week, our family dove deep into the breathtaking, frosty world of the Dakota Territory with The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder**. Reading about how the Ingalls family survived the historic blizzards of 1880 sparked so many questions about history, survival, and science that I knew I had to build something bigger. If you are looking to trade dry textbooks for a rich, immersive living book experience, here is how you can transform this classic frontier tale into a rigorous, hands-on 6-week unit study for your middle schooler.

**As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post does contain some affiliate and/or referral links to products and/or services that we use. If you happen to click through a link and make a purchase, 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. This means that we can keep bringing you great recipes, ideas, and tips for FREE! Click HERE for a full disclaimer. –Thank you!

Little House on The Prairie: The Long Winter Unit Study

Little House on The Prairie: The Long Winter Unit Study Week 1

Little House on The Prairie: The Long Winter Unit Study Week 2

Little House on The Prairie: The Long Winter Unit Study Week 3

Little House on The Prairie: The Long Winter Unit Study Week 4

Little House on The Prairie: The Long Winter Unit Study Week 5

Little House on The Prairie: The Long Winter Unit Study Week 6

The Long Winter: Teacher Answer Key

Continue reading →

Click Here for By the Shores of Silver Lake Adventure Weekly Lesson Plan Links Only

How we use these lesson plans:

Our school week is usually completed in 4 days. We use a Loop Schedule where we work for a designated amount of time on each subject before moving on to the next. After their work is completed for the day the kids are allowed to have independent studies were they can study whatever their little hearts desired.

Our 5th day is an optional day that we use to complete unfinished work or for other activities as we choose.

Please click HERE for a list of resources that we have purchased from Amazon and other suppliers.

Click on the links below for the series you would like to view/use. I will update these links as we get them finished.

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.

1. By the Shores of Silver Lake Week 1 Lesson Plans

Language Arts:
- Read Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4
- Discussion
- McGuffey Primer Lesson
- Vocabulary/Spelling:
- Writing Activities: (Idioms)
  - A Reason for Handwriting, Transition to Cursive, Book T, Based on Scripture Verses
  - Pretend you are being Mary’s eyes and write two descriptive paragraphs about your day.
- FREE Lapbook
- Read: Curious George Takes a Train
- Watch Signing Times: My Favorite Things
Math:
- Group Activity
- Older Kids:
  - Ray’s Arithmetic Books
  - Read through and complete pages 9-11 of this pdf workbook
- Younger Kids:
  - Math-U-See Primer
Geography and History:
- State Study: South Dakota
  - Complete your notebooking pages.
- Railroad History
- Bonus:
  - TOUR OF DE SMET
Science:
- Pick a Topic:
  - VIRUSES VS. BACTERIA
  - HOW DO OUR EYES WORK?
    - Complete the activity on p. 25 of Easy Make & Learn Projects: Human Body
- Extra:
  - EYEBALL DISSECTION
Life Skills:
- Memory Verse: Romans 8:31-39
  - Verse 31:What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
- Character Training
  - Taking Care of Ourselves
  - Work on Family relationships – brothers and sisters
- Manners: Hospitality
  - Let’s start reading about hospitality. Choose one of the books below to read from:
    - A Life That Says Welcome: Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others
    - Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others
  - A Life That Says Welcome p. 11-20
  - Practicing Hospitality p. 19-46
- Fun Activities:
  - Watch how this train turns around
  - Watch a scene from the book
  - Watch The Polar Express.
- Bonus Skills:
  - SUSIE’S CHEM FREE ZONE
    - Flu virus, bacteria, and protein
  - Kids Cook Real Food
    - Packing and Eating Real Food on Road Trips
  - Skill Trek
    - Coughs, Colds, and Bees? Learn how honey and other BEE products can keep our kids healthy!
  - Herb Study
    - Play Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, a cooperative board game
  - TRIM HEALTHY YOU
    - Read through your lesson.
PE, Health & Safety:
- Health & Safety:
  - WHAT IS SCARLET FEVER?
  - WHY DO WE GET VACCINES?
  - HANDWASHING
  - Go to Kids Health and find a related topic to learn more about. Play a game with permission.
- Games/Outdoor Play:
  - Cotton-Eyed Joe
  - Play Germ Tag p. 155 of The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book by Guy Bailey
  - Go outside and play for 30 minutes.
- Bonus:
Music, Arts, and Crafts:

2. By the Shores of Silver Lake Week 2 Lesson Plans

Language Arts:
- Read Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8
- Discussion
- McGuffey Primer Lesson
- Vocabulary/Spelling:
- Writing Activities: (Idioms)
  - A Reason for Handwriting, Transition to Cursive, Book T, Based on Scripture Verses
  - Copy (by dictation) the first paragraph on page 77.
- FREE Lapbook
- Read: The Little Engine That Could
- Watch Signing Times: My Favorite Things

Math:
- Group Activity
- Older Kids:
  - Ray’s Arithmetic Books
  - Read through and complete pages 12-16 of this pdf workbook
  - Print and complete page 17 of this PDF
- Younger Kids:
  - Math-U-See Primer
Geography and History:
- State Study: North Dakota
  - Complete your notebooking pages.
- Railroad History
- Famous People:
  - Begin reading a book about Fanny Crosby. Report Due: Week 5.
    - Fanny Crosby’s Life Story: Autobiography of a Christian Poet, Lyricist and Mission Worker Blind from Infancy
    - Gutsy Girls: Strong Christian Women Who Impacted the World: Book Three: Fanny Crosby (Volume 3)
- Bonus:
  - Destruction of the Buffalo Herds
Science:
- Pick a Topic:
  - WHAT DOES A LAND SURVEYOR DO?
  - HOW DO STEAM LOCOMOTIVES WORK?
    - Steam Engine Worksheets
  - WHAT DOES A PRAIRIE LOOK LIKE?
    - Life on the Prairie Cloze Reading
    - Great Plains Reading Comprehension
  - BUFFALO
    - Buffalo Hunters Reading Comprehension – Online
    - Buffalo Hunters Reading Comprehension
- Extra:
  - Old Steam Trains
Life Skills:
- Memory Verse: Romans 8:31-39
  - Verse 32: He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
- Character Training
  - Miracles of Jesus
  - Work on Family relationships – brothers and sisters
- Manners: Hospitality
  - A Life That Says Welcome p. 185-198
  - Practicing Hospitality p. 159-194
- Fun Activities:
  - VIRTUAL TOUR OF A RAILROAD MUSEUM
  - WATCH A SURVEYOR AT WORK
- Bonus Skills:
  - SUSIE’S CHEM FREE ZONE
    - Protecting Our Planet
  - Kids Cook Real Food
    - Try some Pumpkin Honey Pancakes
  - Skill Trek
    - Practice your new skill this week.
  - Herb Study
    - Play Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, a cooperative board game
  - TRIM HEALTHY YOU
    - Read through your lesson.
PE, Health & Safety:
- Health & Safety:
  - WHAT IS OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM?
  - HOW CAN WE BOOST OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM?
  - Go to Kids Health and find a related topic to learn more about. Play a game with permission.
- Games/Outdoor Play:
  - Conga
  - Play Duck, Duck, Goose p.148 of The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book by Guy Bailey
  - Go outside and play for 30 minutes.
- Bonus:
  - Mainstream Lesson 2
  - Mainstream Lesson 3
Music, Arts, and Crafts:
- Crafts:
  - STEAM: THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD
- Art:
  - How to draw a quick lake view landscape using Scratch Technique
- Music:
  - Safe in the Arms of Jesus
  - Uncle Sam’s Farm (1850)

3. By the Shores of Silver Lake Week 3 Lesson Plans

Language Arts:
- Read Chapters 9, 10, 11 & 12
- Discussion
- McGuffey Primer Lesson
- Vocabulary/Spelling:
- Writing Activities: (Idioms)
  - A Reason for Handwriting, Transition to Cursive, Book T, Based on Scripture Verses
  - Write a story about what you want to be when you grow up.
- FREE Lapbook
- Read: The Ugly Duckling
- Watch Signing Times: My Favorite Things
Math:
- Group Activity
- Older Kids:
  - Ray’s Arithmetic Books
  - By the Shores of Silver Lake Math Week 3
  - Read through and complete pages 17-23 of this pdf workbook
- Younger Kids:
  - Math-U-See Primer
Geography and History:
- State Study: New Mexico
  - Complete your notebooking pages.
- Railroad History
- Famous People:
  - Fanny Crosby
- Bonus:
  - Transcontinental Railroad
Science:
- Pick a Topic:
  - COMPARE AND CONTRAST RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
    - Make a Venn Diagram showing the differences and similarities.
  - WHAT IS COAL?
    - Learn more about fossil fuels and play a game HERE.
  - WHY DO ANIMALS MIGRATE?
  - SWANS
    - Learn more about swans HERE.
    - Learn more about waterfowl HERE or HERE.
    - Choose a breed of waterfowl from HERE to write a report on or get some notebooking pages to work on.
- Extra:
  - Why do we get old?
Life Skills:
- Memory Verse: Romans 8:31-39
  - Verse 33:Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
- Character Training
  - Cooperation
  - What makes a good leader? Click HERE to learn about some important leadership qualities.
  - Why is cooperation so important? Click HERE to learn more about cooperation.
  - Work on Let’s cooperate.
- Manners: Hospitality
  - A Life That Says Welcome p. 159-194
  - Practicing Hospitality p. 199-228
- Fun Activities:
  - WATCH A DUMP TRUCK IN ACTION
- Bonus Skills:
  - SUSIE’S CHEM FREE ZONE
    - What’s In Your Bed?
  - Kids Cook Real Food
    - Could You Live Without Dairy? Why (& How) You Probably Should Try it & How Not to Die Trying
  - Skill Trek
    - Practice your new skill this week.
  - Herb Study
    - Play Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, a cooperative board game
  - TRIM HEALTHY YOU
    - Read through your lesson.
PE, Health & Safety:
- Health & Safety:
  - CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY
  - GUN SAFETY
  - Go to Kids Health and find a related topic to learn more about. Play a game with permission.
- Games/Outdoor Play:
  - Purple People Eater
  - Play Hopscotch p. 131 of The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book by Guy Bailey
  - Go outside and play for 30 minutes.
- Bonus:
  - Mainstream Lesson 4
  - Mainstream Lesson 5
Music, Arts, and Crafts:

4. By the Shores of Silver Lake Week 4 Lesson Plans

Language Arts:
- Read Chapters 13, 14, 15 & 16
- Discussion
- McGuffey Primer Lesson
- Vocabulary/Spelling:
- Writing Activities: (Semicolons)
  - A Reason for Handwriting, Transition to Cursive, Book T, Based on Scripture Verses
  - Copy (by dictation) the first paragraph about Mr. Boast’s laughter on page 137.
- FREE Lapbook
- Read: Free Choice from Kirby’s Kids Grade by Grade Homeschool Reading List.
- Watch Signing Times: My Favorite Things

Math:
- Group Activity
- Older Kids:
  - Ray’s Arithmetic Books
  - Print and complete page 18-20 of this PDF
  - Read through and complete pages 24- 29 of this pdf workbook
- Younger Kids:
  - Math-U-See Primer
Geography and History:
- State Study: Maine
  - Complete your notebooking pages.
- Railroad History
- Famous People:
  - Fanny Crosby
- Bonus: Surveyor’s House
Science:
- Pick a Topic:
  - WHY DO WE HAVE SEASONS?
    - Play The Adventure of WeatherLizard
  - WHAT DOES A WINTER ON THE PRAIRIE LOOK LIKE?
    - Choose an activity:
      - Blizzards – Weather Events
      - Snow – Weather Events
  - HOW DO ANIMALS STAY WARM IN THE WINTER?
  - JACK RABBITS
    - Learn more about Jack Rabbits HERE.
  - BUFFALO WOLVES
    - Learn more about Wolves HERE.
- Temperature:
  - Print and complete pages 23-27 of this PDF workbook.
  - Temperatures Across America – Adding and Subtracting Negative Numbers
- Extra:
  - Ways People in the 1800s Stayed Warm
Life Skills:
- Memory Verse: Romans 8:31-39
  - Verse 34: Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
- Character Training
  - Give your worries to God
  - Read Anxiety – when you are worrying about things
  - Work on Let’s cooperate.
- Manners: Hospitality
  - A Life That Says Welcome p. 41-62
  - Practicing Hospitality p. 73-100
- Fun Activities:
  - The importance of a Pantry
  - Play Checkers
- Bonus Skills:
  - SUSIE’S CHEM FREE ZONE
    - Toxic Chemicals in Household Cleaning Products
  - Kids Cook Real Food
    - Quick, easy, and healthy meals are the name of the game when your family is busy, and fall is the perfect time to break out the Instant Pot recipes!
    - Fall Comfort Food
  - Skill Trek
    - Preparing food with love
  - Herb Study
    - Play Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, a cooperative board game
  - TRIM HEALTHY YOU
    - Read through your lesson.
PE, Health & Safety:
- Health & Safety:
  - WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS?
  - HOW DO YOU GET TESTED FOR TB?
  - Go to Kids Health and find a related topic to learn more about. Play a game with permission.
- Games/Outdoor Play:
  - Learn a simple polka dance.
  - Play Red Light p. 152 of The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book by Guy Bailey
  - Go outside and play for 30 minutes.
- Bonus:
  - Mainstream Lesson 6
  - Mainstream Lesson 7
Music, Arts, and Crafts:
- Crafts:
  - Easy Origami Rabbit – How to Make Rabbit Step by Step
- Art:
  - How to Draw a Hare
- Music:
  - Pass Me Not ❤️ O Gentle Savior Hear My Humble Cry (Lyrics)
  - Highland Mary

5. By the Shores of Silver Lake Week 5 Lesson Plans

Language Arts:
- Read Chapters 17, 18, 19 & 20
- Discussion
- McGuffey Primer Lesson
- Vocabulary/Spelling:
- Writing Activities: (Idioms)
  - A Reason for Handwriting, Transition to Cursive, Book T, Based on Scripture Verses
  - Write a descriptive paragraph about 4 or 5 things that you are thankful for.
  - Write a descriptive paragraph about your favorite Christmas morning.
- FREE Lapbook
- Read: Moonlight Animals
- Watch Signing Times: My Favorite Things

Math:
- Group Activity
- Older Kids:
  - Ray’s Arithmetic Books
  - Read through and complete pages 30-36 of this pdf workbook
- Younger Kids:
  - Math-U-See Primer
Geography and History:
- State Study: Oklahoma.
  - Complete your notebooking pages.
- Railroad History
- Famous People:
  - Fanny Crosby: REPORT DUE!
- Bonus: John Henry
Science:
- Pick a Topic:
  - WHAT IS FROST?
  - HOW DOES SOURDOUGH WORK?
- Temperature
  - Print and complete pages 28- 32 of this PDF workbook.
  - Temperature Map – Online Game
- Extra:
  - WHAT IS THE SCIENCE BEHIND BAKING?
Life Skills:
- Memory Verse: Romans 8:31-39
  - Verse 35: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
- Character Training
  - Love GOD, Love Others
  - Work on Let’s cooperate.
- Manners: Hospitality
  - A Life That Says Welcome p. 128-152
  - Practicing Hospitality p. 131-158
- Fun Activities:
  - What is a Nocturnal Animal?
  - Make a handkerchief from My Little House Sewing Book p. 22
- Bonus Skills:
  - SUSIE’S CHEM FREE ZONE
    - Chemical Crashers Part 1
  - Kids Cook Real Food
    - Last Minute Christmas Gift
    - Have a Healthy Christmas Party Without Any Sugar
  - Skill Trek
    - Practice your new skill this week.
  - Herb Study
    - Play Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, a cooperative board game
  - TRIM HEALTHY YOU
    - Read through your lesson.
PE, Health & Safety:
- Health & Safety:
  - WINTER WEATHER SAFETY
  - FALL PREVENTION
  - Go to Kids Health and find a related topic to learn more about. Play a game with permission.
- Games/Outdoor Play:
  - Country Two-Step
  - Play Freeze Tag p. 155 of The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book by Guy Bailey
  - Go outside and play for 30 minutes.
- Bonus:
  - Mainstream Lesson 8
  - Mainstream Lesson 9
Music, Arts, and Crafts:

6. By the Shores of Silver Lake Week 6 Lesson Plans

Language Arts:
- Read Chapters 21, 22, 23 & 24
- Discussion
- McGuffey Primer Lesson
- Vocabulary/Spelling:
- Writing Activities: (Idioms)
  - A Reason for Handwriting, Transition to Cursive, Book T, Based on Scripture Verses
  - Write a letter to a friend.
  - Write out a menu for Christmas dinner or New Year’s dinner.
- FREE Lapbook
- Read: The Popcorn Book or Three Blind Mice
- Watch Signing Times: My Favorite Things

Math:
- Group Activity
- Older Kids:
  - Ray’s Arithmetic Books
  - By the Shores of Silver Lake Math Week 6
  - Read through and complete pages 37-38 of this pdf workbook
- Younger Kids:
  - Math-U-See Primer
Geography and History:
- State Study: Maryland
  - Complete your notebooking pages.
- Development of the Plains
  - WESTWARD EXPANSION: THE HOMESTEAD ACT OF 1862 & THE FRONTIER THESIS
- Famous People:
  - Begin reading a book about Louis Braille. Report Due: Week 9.
    - Who Was Louis Braille?
    - Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille
      - (AUDIO VERSION)
- Bonus:
  - Yesteryear Gazette Activity
Science:
- Pick a Topic:
  - WHAT ARE SEEDS?
  - HOW DO SEEDS GROW?
    - Choose an activity:
      - Germination Science Experiment
      - Seed Jar Germination Experiment
  - SPRING
- Temperature
  - Print and complete pages 33-35 of this PDF workbook.
- Extra:
  - HOW POPCORN WORKS
Life Skills:
- Memory Verse: Romans 8:31-39
  - Verse 36: As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
- Character Training
  - Serving Others
  - Read Having a disabled child in the family
- Manners: Hospitality
  - A Life That Says Welcome p. 128-153
  - Practicing Hospitality p. 47-72
- Fun Activities:
  - Watch The Bad Seed Video
  - Make an apron from My Little House Sewing Book p. 42
- Bonus Skills:
  - SUSIE’S CHEM FREE ZONE
    - Chemical Crashers Part 2
  - Kids Cook Real Food
    - 20 Recipes Kids Can Make
  - Skill Trek
    - Practice your new skill this week.
  - Herb Study
    - Play Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, a cooperative board game
  - TRIM HEALTHY YOU
    - Read through your lesson.
PE, Health & Safety:
- Health & Safety:
  - STRANGER DANGER
  - INTERNET SAFETY
  - Go to Kids Health and find a related topic to learn more about. Play a game with permission.
- Games/Outdoor Play:
  - Zumba
  - Play Long Rope Jumping p. 176 of The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book by Guy Bailey
  - Go outside and play for 30 minutes.
- Bonus:
  - Mainstream Lesson 10
  - Mainstream Lesson 11
Music, Arts, and Crafts:
- Crafts:
  - Popcorn Box | How To Make Popcorn Boxes
- Art:
  - Garden Design Drawing – Sketching Designs by Hand
- Music:
  - Jesus Is Calling (Presbyterian Hymnal #327)
  - Camptown Races

7. By the Shores of Silver Lake Week 7 Lesson Plans

Language Arts:
- Read Chapters 25, 26, 27 & 28
- Discussion
- McGuffey Primer Lesson
- Vocabulary/Spelling:
- Writing Activities: (Homographs)
  - A Reason for Handwriting, Transition to Cursive, Book T, Based on Scripture Verses
  - Worksheets
- FREE Lapbook
- Read: Free Choice from Kirby’s Kids Grade by Grade Homeschool Reading List.
- Watch Signing Times: My Favorite Things

Math:
- Group Activity
- Older Kids:
  - Ray’s Arithmetic Books
  - Print and complete this Hotel Math Worksheet.
  - Read through and complete pages 41-44 of this pdf workbook
- Younger Kids:
  - Math-U-See Primer
Geography and History:
- State Study: Montana
  - Complete your notebooking pages.
- Development of the Plains
  - Homestead Act
- Famous People:
  - Louis Braille
- Bonus:
  - Western Towns
Science:
- Pick a Topic:
  - WHAT DOES AN ARCHITECT DO?
  - COMPARE AND CONTRAST CITY SOUNDS VS COUNTRY SOUNDS:
    - Make a Venn Diagram showing the differences and similarities.
- Temperature:
  - Print and complete pages 36-38 of this PDF workbook.
- HOTTEST DAYS IN U.S. HISTORY
- COLDEST DAYS IN U.S. HISTORY
- Extra:
  - WHY DO WE SHIVER?
Life Skills:
- Memory Verse: Romans 8:31-39
  - Verse 37: Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
- Character Training
  - Confidence in GOD
  - Read Getting on with others – relationships and health -or-
  - Read about Down syndrome or another disability.
- Manners: Hospitality
  - A Life That Says Welcome p. 223-242
  - Practicing Hospitality p. 229-235
- Fun Activities:
  - CHECK OUT THIS 1920S ROOT CELLAR
  - LEARN HOW TO PACK FRAGILE ITEMS
  - Make a sunbonnet from My Little House Sewing Book p. 48
- Bonus Skills:
  - SUSIE’S CHEM FREE ZONE
    - Chemical Crashers Part 3
  - Kids Cook Real Food
    - Save on your food budget
  - Skill Trek
    - Practice your new skill this week.
  - Herb Study
    - Play Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, a cooperative board game
  - TRIM HEALTHY YOU
    - Read through your lesson.
PE, Health & Safety:
- Health & Safety:
  - COPING WITH A MOVE
  - MOVING HEAVY OBJECTS
  - Go to Kids Health and find a related topic to learn more about. Play a game with permission.
- Games/Outdoor Play:
  - Jekyll Island Stomp
  - Play Partner Ball Relays p. 166 of The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book by Guy Bailey
  - Go outside and play for 30 minutes.
- Bonus:
  - Mainstream Lesson 12
  - Mainstream Lesson 13
Music, Arts, and Crafts:
- Crafts:
  - DIY Bird House/Bird Feeder
- Art:
  - Sketch like an Architect (Techniques + Tips from a Real Project)
- Music:
  - Near the Cross – by Fanny Crosby
  - The Big Sunflower

8. By the Shores of Silver Lake Week 8 Lesson Plans

Language Arts:
- Read Chapters 29, 30, 31 & 32
- Discussion
- McGuffey Primer Lesson
- Vocabulary/Spelling:
- Writing Activities: (Idioms)
  - A Reason for Handwriting, Transition to Cursive, Book T, Based on Scripture Verses
  - Write a descriptive book report about the story we’ve read. Click HERE for book report forms.
- FREE Lapbook
- Read: My Shadow
- Watch Signing Times: My Favorite Things

Math:
- Group Activity
- Older Kids:
  - Ray’s Arithmetic Books
  - Read through and complete pages 9-16 of this pdf workbook
- Younger Kids:
  - Math-U-See Primer
Geography and History:
- State Study: Ohio
  - Complete your notebooking pages.
- Development of the Plains
  - TIMBER CULTURE ACT OF 1873
- Famous People:
  - Louis Braille
- Bonus:
  - 1800s Homestead Layout
Science:
- Pick a Topic:
  - COMPARE AND CONTRAST WELL-DIGGING METHODS
    - Make a Venn Diagram showing the differences and similarities.
  - WHY ARE TREES SO IMPORTANT?
  - WHAT IS A WINDBREAK?
  - COTTONWOOD TREES
  - WHAT ARE SHADOWS?
- Extra:
  - Build Your Own Well
Life Skills:
- Memory Verse: Romans 8:31-39
  - Verse 38: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
- Character Training
  - Contentment
  - Work on Being Happy
- Manners: Hospitality
  - A Life That Says Welcome p. 63-126
  - Practicing Hospitality p. 101-130
- Fun Activities:
  - WATCH A WELL-DIGGER IN ACTION
- Bonus Skills:
  - SUSIE’S CHEM FREE ZONE
    - Kids Share in the Norwex Experience
  - Kids Cook Real Food
    - Smart Sweets
  - Skill Trek
    - How to Get a House That Cleans Itself
  - Herb Study
    - Play Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, a cooperative board game
  - TRIM HEALTHY YOU
    - Read through your lesson.
PE, Health & Safety:
- Health & Safety:
  - SAFE DRINKING WATER
  - WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET LOST.
  - Go to Kids Health and find a related topic to learn more about. Play a game with permission.
- Games/Outdoor Play:
  - Rocky Top
  - Play Trees p. 146 of The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book by Guy Bailey
  - Check out these sites for some fun Pioneer games:
    - PIONEER CHILDREN – toys and games
    - Bobcat Ridge 4th Grade Pioneer Program Games and Recreation Station
- Bonus:
  - Mainstream Lesson 14
  - Mainstream Lesson 15
Music, Arts, and Crafts:
- Crafts:
  - How to Make Leaf Rubbing Art
- Art:
  - How to Draw a Tree (Realistic)
- Music:
  - Redeemed
  - Barbary Allen

9. By the Shores of Silver Lake Week 9 Lesson Plans

Language Arts:
- Finish up any reading.
- Read Chapter 4 from Laura Ingalls Wilder Country ‘Kansas Prairie Country’.
- Discussion
- McGuffey Primer Lesson
- Vocabulary/Spelling:
  - By the Shores of Silver Lake Week 9
  - Spelling You See Level A
- Writing Activities: (Idioms)
  - A Reason for Handwriting, Transition to Cursive, Book T, Based on Scripture Verses
  - Write a one-page speech about Fanny Crosby or Louis Braille.
  - Present your speech to a parent and/or your family.
  - Bonus points if you correctly use an idiom in your speech.
- FREE Lapbook
- Read: Free Choice from the bookshelf
- Watch Signing Times: My Favorite Things
- Bonus: Idiom Quiz

Math:
- Group Activity
- Older Kids:
  - Ray’s Arithmetic Books
  - By the Shores of Silver Lake Math Week 9
  - Read through and complete pages 17-22 of this pdf workbook
- Younger Kids:
  - Math-U-See Primer
Geography and History:
- State Study:
  - Review the states we learned about and choose a state to research more.
  - Write a report about your favorite state or add some new facts to your previous report.
- Development of the Plains
  - Development of the Plains TEST
- Famous People:
  - Report Due: Louis Braille!
- Bonus:
  - Homesteading Video
Science:
- Go back and review previous topics you may have skipped or want to learn more about.
- What is the most dangerous animal?
  - Mosquitoes Cloze Reading
- Weather Watcher
  - The Life of a Meteorologist – A Real-life Account with Dave Nussbaum Reading Comprehension
- Tests
  - Choose one of these:
  - And Choose one of these:
- Extra:
  - Learn how to make shadow puppets
Life Skills:
- Memory Verse: Romans 8:31-39
  - Verse 39: Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  - Work on saying everything you have memorized.
- Character Training
  - Take Care of the World GOD Gave Us
  - Work on Mosquitoes – how to avoid being their dinner -or-
  - Work on You and the environment
- Manners: Hospitality
  - Finish up any reading you have left to do.
- Fun Activities:
  - Learn how to host a party
- Bonus Skills:
  - SUSIE’S CHEM FREE ZONE
    - Chemical Crashers Part 4
  - Kids Cook Real Food
    - Help to prepare a meal using your new skills.
  - Skill Trek
    - Try some Freebie Snacks
  - Herb Study
    - Play Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, a cooperative board game
  - TRIM HEALTHY YOU
    - Read through your lesson.
PE, Health & Safety:
- Health & Safety:
  - CLEANING PRODUCT SAFETY
  - GET RID OF THE CHEMICALS WITH NORWEX!
  - Go to Kids Health and find a related topic to learn more about. Play a game with permission.
- Games/Outdoor Play:
  - Alley Cat
  - Play your favorite game for at least 30 minutes.
  - Go outside and play for 30 minutes.
- Bonus:
  - Keep Practicing!
Music, Arts, and Crafts:
- Crafts:
  - little house pop up card
- Art:
  - How to draw a Little House Step by Step
- Music:
  - He Hideth My Soul
  - Comin’ Thro the Rye

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

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