Tag: lesson plans

Little House On The Prairie Adventure Resource List

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog4 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!

We read Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Biography and Little House in the Big Woods before starting this study.

NOTE: My kiddos were 5, 6, 9, 11, and 15 at the time we created study unit. Some ideas may need to be changed/adjusted for older kids.

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.

Introduction:

We have been using the Little House on the Prairie Books for our homeschool this year and my kids are loving it. I have scoured the internet for resources to make our learning experience as fun and exciting as possible. This series of posts is a compilation of different resources we have found and used in our home. Please note that some of these may have been FREE at the time I found them and prices and/or availability may have changed. Feel free to leave your own links in the comments section below.

I also want to take a moment to thank all of these wonderful people who put together so many wonderful resources for all of us to use with our children. I know that many hours, blood, sweat, and tears went into these projects but your work is greatly appreciated!

Answer Key found HERE. **ANSWER KEY password: momsrock (highlight blank area)

Language Arts:

Reading:

We will be reading the noted selection for the week as well as discussing what we have read. I may come up with other questions as well. Kids are curious and I know we will have many questions which may lead to some research in other areas.

We will also be working on reading through a few books, see Kirby’s Kids Grade by Grade Homeschool Reading List , for each different grade level. The older kids (ages 9 & 11) will have some independent reading while the younger ones (ages 5,6, and my special needs son who is 15 but at a Kindergarten level) will have a mixture of read alouds, read alongs, and independent reading.

You should keep a record of the books read. You can do this in a notebook or using this printable HERE.

You may also like to check out these links for book reports:

Handwriting:

I did not list handwriting in the weekly work tasks as my kids are using the Spencerian Penmanship for handwriting and will practice this every day.

Vocabulary/Spelling:

We will be doing various activities for this area. We will be looking up definitions, matching words, putting the words in alphabetical order, and a variety of other activities.

The vocabulary words could also be used as spelling words, if you choose to do so. We are also using these resources below:

Writing:

There will be a variety of creative writing ideas as well. I have tried to vary them and offer choices to help encourage writing. We will also be doing various writing assignments in some of other areas as well.

Check out PRINTABLE WRITING PAPER- TWENTY FREE TEMPLATES FOR KID’S WRITING for some FREE writing resources!

Other Activities:

These are just some of the other activities that I am incorporating into the lessons with my kiddos as we are all at different learning levels. I put these in here to keep me organized so I don’t ‘forget’ something. In our Group activities I include a lot of reading out loud books that may seem ‘young’ but my older kids missed out on some of these nursery rhymes and such when they were younger due and they really enjoy listening to them as they work. Many of the titles can be found at your local library too!

I will add links to worksheets I find or make as we go through the unit. For a general guideline of skills your child should know by grade level click HERE.

I have pulled a lot of the material from the book for the worksheets listed down below.

Many of the ideas have been pulled from the following resources:

  • Other materials may be listed with the individual sections.

You can also find FREE Lessons with these links:

Other resources used:

The younger kids will also have access to various Read-Along books and puppet books. I will update links to those as we go along.

Math:

Many of the ideas have been pulled from the following resources:

Note about Ray’s Arithmetic Books: These can be a little confusing at first but the Parent/Teacher guide is so useful! I have found that the books are in order as follows:

  • 1st/2nd grades: Ray’s New Primary Arithmetic
  • 3rd/4th grades: Ray’s New Intellectual Math
  • 5th/6th grades: Ray’s Practical Arithmetic
  • 7th/8th grades: Ray’s Higher Arithmetic

I have used a lot of the examples from the book to create the worksheets you will find listed below. **ANSWER KEY password: momsrock (highlight blank area)

You can also find FREE Lessons with these links:

Social Studies:

Many of the ideas have been pulled from the following resources:

You can also find FREE Lessons with these links:

Science:

Many of the ideas have been pulled from the following resources:

You can also find FREE Lessons with these links:

My kids also enjoyed reading:

 Bears on the Brain (Science Solves It!)

PE/Health & Safety Resources:

Many of the ideas have been pulled from the following resources:

You can also find FREE Lessons ideas with these links:

We often have some ‘Free Play’ outside whenever the weather allows as well.

Life Skills:

This area 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.

You can find a FREE printable log for keeping track of memory work here:

Many of the ideas have been pulled from the following resources:

You can also find FREE Lessons with these links:

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.

Music, Arts & Crafts:

These lesson plans include Music, Arts, and Crafts. Choose one or two ideas/day as desired.

Many of the ideas have been pulled from the following resources:

You can also find FREE Lessons with these links:

We have also bought the following books/products for use with this series:

Remember: These are the lessons and activities that we used while doing this study but you can do anything your heart desires to make this a great adventure for you and your kids!

 

 

Little House On The Prairie Adventure: Week by Week Music, Arts, and Crafts Lessons

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog12 Comments

**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 Music, Arts & Crafts

Please note that YouTube has been removing some content from its site so you may need to search for another video on the topics listed.

These lessons were made to go along with ‘The Little House On The Prairie‘ written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. We are planning to go through the whole series and I am keeping track of the different topics we are learning about here on my blog. We hope you enjoy these as much as we have!

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

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.

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

Many of the songs come from this book:

Laura Ingalls Wilder Songbook

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

Week 1: Chapters 1, 2 & 3

Crafts:

  1. Try one of these campfire crafts:

2.  Horse Crafts

3. You could start making a Pioneer Life Diorama to depict the book scenes.

Art:**

  1. Draw a picture of Pet and Patty on their lines.
  2. Wagons on a raft coloring page.

Music:

  1. Listen to the sounds of nature on the prairie:

2. Listen to the sounds of nature at night:

Week 2: Chapters 4, 5 & 6

Crafts:**

  1. Try making some origami animals.

Art:

  1. Prairie Dog Coloring Page
  2. How to draw a Prairie Dog
  3. or Free Choice

Music:

Week 3: Chapters 7, 8 & 9

Crafts:

  1. Build a log cabin with Lincoln Logs
  2. Make a Log Cabin Photo Frame p. 36 Pioneer Crafts for Kids
  3. Use My Book of Little House Paper Dolls: The Big Woods Collection to reenact and retell the story to someone.
  4. Make a Flower Mask p. 16 Pioneer Crafts for Kids
  5. Build a Pretzel Log Cabin

Art: 

  1. Color some prairie flowers
  2. Draw a rock fireplace as Laura described it.
  3. Draw a log cabin.

Or you can try to draw a wolf:

Music:

Listen to the natural songs made by wolves:

Week 4: Chapters 10, 11 & 12

Crafts:

1. Snakes

2. Water well

Art: 

  1. Snake coloring page

Music:

Listen to some Native American music:

https://youtu.be/I9Z0KIhzydk

Week 5: Chapters 13, 14 & 15

Crafts:

  1. 9 NATIVE AMERICAN CRAFTS FOR KIDS
  2. Indian Necklace Craft
  3. Make a Fringed Vest p. 13 Pioneer Crafts for Kids

Art:

  1. Longhorn coloring pages
  2. Cattle drive coloring page
  3. Three Wigwams coloring page

Look at these Native American Bead Projects HERE or below:

Music:

Listen to some of these old cowboy songs:

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

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:

Week 8: Chapters 22, 23 & 24

Crafts:**

  1. Choose a Frog Craft

Smiling Wisdom - Jumping Hop Frog Origami Game - Holiday Favors, Classroom - 50 Colorful Origami Frogs - Children's Paper Game - Holiday Party Activity Ideas for Boys & Girls - Multicolored

Smiling Wisdom – Jumping Hop Frog Origami Game

2. Buffalo Crafts

3. Indian Papoose Craft

Art:

  1. Buffalo coloring pages
  2. Native American Hunter coloring page

Music:

  1. The Gum Tree Canoe p. 117Laura Ingalls Wilder Songbook

Week 9: Chapters 25 & 26

Crafts:**

1. Make a Covered Wagon p. 37 Pioneer Crafts for Kids

2. Indian Headdress

Amscan Thanksgiving Make Your Own Headband

Amscan Thanksgiving Make Your Own Headband

Art:

  1. Choose a previous project that you haven’t done yet.
  2. Indian Headdress Coloring Page
  3. Native American Dancing coloring page
  4. Free Choice

Music:

  • Experiment with making music around the house.

Westco Sounds of Nature Kit Musical Instrument Toy

Week 10: Finishing Up

Crafts:**

Make some crafts for your Indian Party. Check out these ideas HERE on Amazon. You can also check out my Pinterest board HERE.

  1. INDIAN CRAFTS FOR KIDS: Ideas to Make Native American Indians with Easy arts and crafts for children, preschoolers, teens
  2. Make a Spoon Doll p. 14 Pioneer Crafts for Kids
  3. Make a Pioneer Doll p. 32 Pioneer Crafts for Kids
  4. Make a Pioneer Life Diorama p. 51 Pioneer Crafts for Kids

Art:

  1. Choose a previous project that you haven’t done yet.
  2. Free Choice

Music:

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

Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Weekly Lesson Plan Links & Guide

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog18 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!

Click Here for Little House In The Big Woods 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. Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Week 1 Lesson Plans

  • Language Arts:
    • Read Chapters 1 & 2
    • Discussion
    • McGuffey Primer Lesson
    • Vocabulary
    • Writing Activities
    • These week we learn about fiction vs. nonfiction
    • Make a Pioneer Journal
    •  Mother Goose Phonics: Pat A Cake
  • Math:
  • Geography and History:
    • State Study: Wisconsin
    • Research Pioneer Life
  • Science:
    • Learn about Bears
    • Learn about Panthers
    • Research Microbes and Bacteria
    • Learn about Density
    • Bonus: Why does fire burn different colors?
  • Life Skills:
    • Research Pioneer Chores
    • Making our bed
    • Interrupting
    • Memory Work
    • Fun activities: Make Butter
    • Bonus Skills: Memorizing the books of the Bible, Archery, and/or Baking
  • PE, Health & Safety:
    • Stranger Danger
    • Play Little Brown Bear
  • Music, Arts, and Crafts:
    • Crafts: Hog’s Bladder Balloons, Corn Cob/Husk Dolls, Snowflakes, and Paper Dolls
    • Art: Bulldogs, Jack Frost
    • Music: Yankee Doodle Dandy, Butter Churning Song

Continue reading “Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Weekly Lesson Plan Links & Guide” →

Little House In The Big Woods Adventure: Week by Week Language Arts Lessons

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog2 Comments

**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!

Our 2025-2026 Homeschool Curriculum, Schedule Plans, Resource Links, and Daily Routine – Tons of FREE resources!

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.

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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.

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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:

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:

Younger Kids:

Week 2: Chapters 3 & 4

Reading:

Read Chapters 3 & 4

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:

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:

Older Kids:

Younger Kids:

Week 3: Chapters 5, 6, & 7

Reading:

Read Chapters 5, 6, & 7 

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:

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

Writing:**

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:

Older Kids:

Dictionary Skills:

Younger Kids:

Week 4: Chapters 8 & 9

Reading:

Read Chapters 8 & 9 

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:

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:

Week 5: Chapters 10 & 11

Reading:

Read Chapters 10 & 11

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:**

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:

Older Kids:

Younger Kids:

Week 6: Chapters 12 & 13

Reading:

Read Chapters 12 & 13 (This will finish the book.)

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:

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:

Younger Kids:**

Week 7: Finishing Up

Reading:

Finish any reading.

Choose one or two books from this list to read:

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:

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

Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Weekly Lesson Plan Links Only

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

Want to access the lesson plans without reading through everything? Here they are:

  1. Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Week 1 Lesson Plans

  2. Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Week 2 Lesson Plans

  3. Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Week 3 Lesson Plans

  4. Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Week 4 Lesson Plans

  5.  Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Week 5 Lesson Plans

  6. Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Week 6 Lesson Plans

  7. Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Week 7 Lesson Plans

We hope you enjoy this adventure as much as we have!