On The Banks Of Plum Creek Adventure: Language Arts Lesson Plans

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

These lessons were made to go along with ‘On The Banks Of Plum Creek‘ 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!

You may find it easier to buy a Workbook for your children to work through as you go along with the rest of the study.

Answer Key Password: momsrock

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 HERE and 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.

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.


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, 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)

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:


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)

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:


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)

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:


Week 4: Chapters 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23

(The Fish-Trap, School, Nellie Olsen, Town Party, and Country Party)

Reading:

Read Chapters 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23

Discussion Questions:

Chapter Nineteen (The Fish-Trap):

  • How old is Laura?
  • What did Laura not want to do?
  • What did Laura help Pa make?
  • How did the fish trap work?
  • What did they have for supper that night? How did Ma make it?
  • How often did they eat fish?

Chapter Twenty (School):

  • Why did the girls put on their best dresses?
  • What did Ma have for them?
  • How did the girls get to school? How far was it?
  • What did they have on their feet?
  • How did they find the school?
  • What did the boys call them? Why?

Chapter Twenty-One (Nellie Olsen):

  • How did Mary carry the money?
  • What was the money for? What did Pa say about being beholden?
  • What did Willie and Nellie do for their father to fuss at them?
  • How did the girls buy the slate pencil? What do we use now instead of a slate and slate pencil?
  • What games did the children play?
  • What rule did Laura remember that kept her out of trouble?
  • Why was Nellie crying?

Chapter Nineteen (Town Party):

  • Where was Nellie’s house?
  • Did the girls use good manners? Why or why not?
  • Did Nellie use good manners? Why or why not?
  • What happened that caused Laura to be embarrassed?
  • What did Laura have for the first time?
  • What did Ma say about hospitality? What did they decide to do?

Chapter Nineteen (Country Party):

  • What did Ma make for the party?
  • What did Nellie complain about on the way to the house?
  • What lied did Laura tell Nellie about the dolls?
  • What trick did the girls play on Nellie?
  • What did Ma say about the vanity cakes? Who might this have applied to?

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 Four 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 a one-page report about vanity.
  • Write a thank you letter to someone for something nice they have done for you.

Watch this video about similes:

  • Identify similes from page 134.

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

Other Activities:**

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:


Week 5: Chapters 24, 25, 26, 27 & 28

(Going to Church, The Glittering Cloud, Grasshopper Eggs, Rain, and The Letter)

Reading:

Read Chapters 24, 25, 26, 27 & 28

Discussion Questions:

Chapter Twenty-Four (Going to Church):

  • Why was Ma so excited?
  • Describe Ma’s new dress.
  • What mistake did Ma make with the girls’ hair?
  • Did the girls enjoy Sunday School?
  • What was different about the church?
  • What did Pa need? Did he get them? Why or why not?

Chapter Twenty-Five (The Glittering Cloud):

  • What was the weather like? How did it affect the pine boards?
  • What was different about the storm cloud?
  • What did the grasshoppers do?
  • How did Pa try to protect the crop? Was he successful?
  • What are some other ways that the grasshoppers affect them?
  • How did the grasshoppers affect other people?

Chapter Twenty-Six (Grasshopper Eggs):

  • What did Laura see? What did Pa say was happening?
  • Why did Pa say they were better off than others?
  • Why did Pa go to town?
  • Where was Pa going? Why?

Chapter Twenty-Seven (Rain):

  • What was happening around the house?
  • Why did Pa go to Mr. Nelson’s house?
  • What story in the Bible did Ma read? How was it similar to what had happened?
  • What promise had God made? What did Ma say about the promise?
  • How did the rain change things?

Chapter Twenty-Eight (The Letter):

  • What were the girls worried about?
  • What finally came?
  • What did Pa write in the letter?

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 Five 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 a descriptive paragraph about the locust plague in Egypt.
  • Write about a day in the life of a grasshopper.

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

Watch this video about descriptive writing:

Other Activity:

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:


Week 6: Chapters 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 & 34

(The Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn, Going to Town, Surprise, Grasshoppers Walking, Wheels of Fire, and Marks on the Slate)

Reading:

Read Chapters 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 & 34

Discussion Questions:

Chapter Twenty-Nine (The Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn):

  • How was the weather changing?
  • What disappeared as the weather got cooler?
  • What did Anna do with the paper dolls? Charlotte?
  • What did Laura find in a puddle? What did she do?
  • How did Pa let them know he was home?
  • What did the girls need? How did Pa handle it?

Chapter Thirty (Going to Town):

  • What did Pa do in town?
  • What did Mary get? And Laura?
  • What did Ma not get? And Pa? Why?

Chapter Thirty-One (Surprise):

  • What did the girls do every day?
  • What did Nellie do that made Laura mad?
  • What new sound did they hear?
  • What new sight did Laura see? What was on it?
  • What gifts did everyone get? What special gift did Laura get?

Chapter Thirty-Two (Grasshoppers Walking):

  • What did Pa make?
  • How was the weather changing?
  • What was hatching? What did they do?
  • What strange thing happened? How long did it last?
  • What did Pa want to know?

Chapter Thirty-Three (Wheels of Fire):

  • What did they plant? When did the old-timers say they should be planted?
  • Where did Pa go? Why?
  • What happened while Pa was gone? Who came to help?
  • What did Ma say about good neighbors?

Chapter Thirty-Four (Marks on the Slate):

  • What did they need to harvest before they froze?
  • How did they harvest them?
  • What did they do with the turnips?
  • How did they keep track of how long Pa would be gone?
  • Did Pa come home when they expected? Why or why not?
  • What sad story did Pa tell them?

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 Six 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 story about a day in the life of your favorite toy.
  • Write a descriptive poem about the weather today.

Other Activity:

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:


Week 7: Chapters 35, 36, 37 & 38

(Keeping House, Prairie Winter, The Long Blizzard, and The Day of Games)

Reading:

Read Chapters 35, 36, 37 & 38

Discussion Questions:

Chapter Thirty-Five (Keeping House):

  • What did Pa keep busy with?
  • Why did Pa not want to trap the beaver?
  • Where did Pa want to go?
  • What did the girls do while they were gone?
  • What scary thing happened while Pa and Ma were gone?
  • How did the girls handle themselves? How did each help?
  • What rule had the girls broken? Did they get punished? Why or why not?

Chapter Thirty-Six (Prairie Winter):

  • What did Pa do to help find his way back and forth from the stable to the house?
  • What did Pa get in town?
  • What did Pa say was strange? What suggestion did Ma have?
  • How did they keep busy?

Chapter Thirty-Seven (The Long Blizzard):

  • Why did Pa say he needed to go to town? What did Ma say?
  • What chores did everyone do?
  • What chores did Ma do when Pa didn’t come home?
  • Why did Ma put the lamp in the window?
  • What strange thing happened?

Chapter Thirty-Eight (The Day of Games):

  • How did the girls help out while Ma was doing chores?
  • Why was Laura crying?
  • What did Ma suggest instead of lessons?

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 Seven List

Older Kids:

  • Day One: Write your words three times each.
  • Day Two: Write your words in ABC order.
  • Day Three: Look up definitions and use five of your words in a sentence.
  • Day Four: Test (optional) or Worksheet:

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 how Ma might have felt while Pa was away.
  • Write a descriptive paragraph about how Pa might have felt while leaving for work.

Write this video about writing perspectives:

Other Activity:

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:


Week 8: Chapters 39, 40 & 41

(The Third Day, The Fourth Day, and Christmas Eve)

Reading:

Read Chapters 39, 40 & 41

Discussion Questions:

Chapter Thirty-Nine (The Third Day):

  • Why do you think the day was so miserable?

Chapter Forty (The Fourth Day):

  • What did Laura think she saw? What was it actually?
  • What did Ma fix for Pa?
  • Why was Pa excited about the cold weather?
  • What did Pa buy in town? How much was it?
  • How did Pa stay safe? How far away had he been?
  • How long had he been gone? What day was it?
  • Why did Pa apologize to the girls? How did the girls react?
  • What did he bring for Christmas dinner?

Chapter Forty-One (Christmas Eve):

  • What did they do on Christmas Eve?
  • How did Pa assign the chores? Who did what?
  • Was Laura upset about the fact that there would be no presents or candy? Why or why not?

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 Eight 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 book report about the story we’ve read. Click HERE for book report forms.
  • Write a descriptive story about how you would feel if you had no presents on Christmas day.

Watch this video about point of view:

Other Activity:

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:


Week 9: Finishing Up

Reading:

Finish up any reading. 

Optional: Read Chapter 3 from Laura Ingalls Wilder Country ‘Kansas Prairie Country’.

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:**

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 one-page report about Noah Webster.

Other Activity:

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:

Bonus Activity:

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

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Cover image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Little House On The Prairie Adventure Week 5 Lesson Plans

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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.

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 5: Chapters 13, 14 & 15 (Texas Longhorns, Indian Camp, Fever ‘N Ague)

Here is our lesson plan for the week:


Language Arts

Reading:

Read Chapters 13, 14 & 15

Discussion Questions:

Chapter Thirteen:

  • Why did the cowboys need Pa’s help?
  • How would they pay him?
  • What did Laura want to be?
  • What did Pa bring home?
  • What did they let Baby Carrie have?

Chapter Fourteen:

  • What time of year did Ma say it was?
  • Where did Pa take the girls?
  • What did they find?
  • What did the girls make with their beads? Who did they give it too?

Chapter Fifteen:

  • What did the Laura help Ma pick? What did they do with them?
  • What did Mary do while Laura was helping Ma?
  • How did they keep the mosquitos away?
  • Who came to help when the family was sick? How did they help?
  • What was different about the Doctor?
  •  What did Mrs. Scott say caused the sickness? What really caused the sickness?

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. 8-9

Writing:

Choose one prompt below:

  • Write a story about when you were not feeling well. Tell about who helped you and what made you feel better.
  • Continue working in your workbook.

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

Other Activity:

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:


Math

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:

Check out this video on multiplication:

Younger Kids:

 

 

 

 


Geography and History

1. State Study

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

2. Continue to Research Native American Indian Tribes

  • Click HERE to learn more about Indian Family life.

What did the Indians eat?

  • You can read about Indian diets HERE and then watch the video below.
  • Discuss what you learned.
  • Complete this Lapbook piece HERE on foods that the Indians may have eaten.

3. Research Cowboys

  • Watch this video about a cattle drive.

Extra:


Science

1. Continue to study Prairie Animals.

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

2. Is there anything good about mosquitoes?

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

3. What are parasites?

  • Discuss what you learned.

4. Research blood.

  • Discuss what you learned.

5. Continue learning about simple machines.

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

What are wheels and axles?

  • Read pages 34-40 of your book.
  • Write down these words and their definitions:
    • crank
    • Mesopotamia
    • sledge
    • spokes
    • artifact
    • radiocarbon dating
    • carbon
  • What did people use to move things before wheels were invented?
  • Do one of the activities on pages 41-45.

Watch this video for more information:

Extras:

Play one of these games:


Life Skills

1. Following Ma’s Example

Routines, like manners, can be used anywhere and everywhere even when we go outside.

The family was all sick during this section of the book. Do you think they kept up with their routines while they were sick? They seemed like they were all too sick to care about routines.

What happens when your mom and dad get sick? Does everyone know the daily routine well enough to keep the house running smoothly?

What do you think are some ideas for a good outside routine? Here are some ideas that could be incorporated into your routine:

  • Put on shoes
  • Put away shoes, jackets
  • Put on Bug Spray
  • Put on Sunscreen
  • Put on a hat, if needed
  • Cleaning up inside toys
  • Ask permission to go outside
  • Cleaning up outside toys
  • Put on outerwear, depending on the weather
  • Washing hands

Can you think of anything else?

  • Add your own ideas to this list.
  • Put the tasks in order from what you should start with.
  • How could this routine have helped keep the family from getting sick?

2. Ways to help around the house like Laura

We are going to learn how to mop. Mopping can be done a couple of ways. Some people prefer to use a mop and bucket of soapy water, others like myself like to use a steam mop, and some people use disposable mops like Swiffers.

However you mop if up to you but you need to make sure it is done properly. Sometimes we need to hand scrub areas of the floor too and we will learn about that next week.

How to Mop:

  • Floors need to be swept well before mopping.
  • Move anything that can be moved to make mopping easier.
  • You need to find your mop and whatever supplies you will need.
  • For steam mops you usually only need to fill the tank with water.
    • Ask for a parent’s help.
  • For Swiffer type mops, you just need the mop and disposable pad.
  • For mops and buckets you need:
    • a mop
    • a bucket filled halfway with hot water and cleaner added to it.
    • each time you put the mop in the bucket you will need to wring it out well before putting it on the floor.
  • Begin mopping in one corner of the area and work your way around.
  • Pay attention to areas that may be extra dirty.
  • Check to make sure you didn’t miss anything.
  • When finished you need to pour out the dirty water, if a mop and bucket was used. We usually pour it in the toilet when we use this method.
  • Rinse out the bucket.
  • Clean out your mop, throw away any disposable pads, or put the washable pads in the hamper.
  • Put away your tools.
  • Replace anything you moved before you started mopping.

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.

MemorizeChildren, 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 about obeying your parents:

  • Discuss what you learned.
  • How can you apply this to your life?
  • Be sure to keep praying for God’s help to be obedient even when it is hard.

4. Manners

– Read through the next four pages of Emily’s Everyday Manners and discuss the manners shown in the pictures:

  • Good manners are important when you go to school
  • Good manners help you make friends and get along with others
  • Good manners help you keep friends too.
  • Good manners are important whether you are the host, or the guest.

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 5: For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
  • Older kids can copy the memory verse down in their notebook.

6. Fun Activities

  • Watch this video about cowboy cooking:
  • Plan and make an Indian meal using what you learned this week.

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 7 – Salads, Tortillas, Chickpea Wraps (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.

  • Learn how to set up a tent.
  • Practice doing this with a helper and by yourself.

Watch this video:

  • Remember that all tents are different so you will need to know how to set up your own tent.

Learn about Herbs.

As we are learning plants are so much more than what they seem. They each hold a special gift and some of them can be very beneficial to us.

Lemon Balm: The Pleasant Fever Breaking Herb

  • Discuss what you learned.
  • Be sure to jot down some notes.
  • Would this have been useful when the family was sick? Why or why not?

PE, Health & Safety

1.What to do if you get lost.

  • The girls often went exploring but made sure not to wander off. It would probably have been easy to get lost on the big prairie. Would you know what to do if you got lost?
  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • Make a list of all the steps to do if you get lost.
  • Work on memorizing the information you would need if you got lost.
    • name
    • phone number
    • address
  • Click HERE for a FREE printable.

2. Insect Safety

  • When the family got sick they didn’t know what had caused the illness. Mrs. Scott had believed it had come from the watermelon but it had actually came from mosquitoes. How can we protect ourselves from mosquitoes and other insects?
  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • What are some ways that we can prevent bug bites?

3. Calcium for strong bones

  • Ma and the girls were excited to see that Pa had brought home a cow as they hadn’t had any milk for a long time. Why is milk so important in our diets?
  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • Name some of the benefits of drinking milk.
  • Watch this video to learn about how much calcium we need and other sources of calcium.

Click HERE to read about the Plains Indian’s diet.

  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • How does this compare to our diet?

4. Games/Outdoor Play

  • Regular exercise is important for strong bones. Watch this video to learn about what exercises can help increase bone density.
  • Discuss what you learned.
  • Go outside and play 30 minutes and try out some bone strengthening activities.

Bonus:

Did you know that Square Dancing is a good exercise for helping you to have strong bones?

If you haven’t already signed up for classes have your parents check for a local club near you.


Music, Arts & Crafts

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

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:

 


**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 1 Lesson Plans

 

 

 

Protected: PROTECTED: Little House On The Prairie Answer Key Links**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.

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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.

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 1: Chapters 1, 2 & 3 (Going West, Crossing the Creek and Camp on the High Prairie

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

Discussion Questions:

Chapter One:

  • What was happening at the beginning of the chapter?
  • Why did Pa say they needed to leave? Where were they going?
  • What season was it? How do you know?
  • What states did they travel through?
  • What did Pa trade the horses for? What did they name them?

Chapter Two:

  • How did Mary feel about crossing the water?
  • Did Laura feel the same way?
  • Why do you think Ma covered the girls with a blanket?
  • What sad thing happened while crossing?

Chapter Three:

  • What was the spider? Why was it called that? Click HERE for pictures.
  • What did the girls have to share?
  • What sound did Laura not like to hear?
  • What surprise did they get?
  • What did Laura wish Pa would give her?

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. 1-4

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:

  • Make up a campfire song.
  • Write about your favorite camping adventure and be sure to describe what you see, hear, smell, and feel. Draw a picture to go with your story.
  • Review some skills with this worksheet HERE.

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

Other Activities:**

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:


Math

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

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

Group:

Rotate through these activities:

Older Kids:

Younger Kids:


 

Geography and History

We plan to use parts of this FREE UNIT STUDY AND LAPBOOK as we learn about the Plains Indians.

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 Missouri.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Learn about the Great Plains and the Indian Territory

  • Watch the videos below to learn more about Indian Territory and how it changed through the years.
  • Compare your map to the ones shown in the beginning of the video. How are they the same? Different?
  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • Complete this Lapbook piece HERE.

3.Research the Mississippi River.

  • Discuss what you learned.

They talk about taking the ferry across the river. Watch this video to see an example:

  • What would be the scariest thing about crossing a river? Why?
  • What would be the most fun? Why?

4. Research the Louisiana Purchase.

Everyone can watch this quick video. Older kids can do a little more research.

  • Discuss what you learned.

5. Research Native American Indian Tribes. You will have a report due at the end of the book.

  • Start reading a book about Native American Indians.
  • Click HERE for a link about the Indians of the Great Plains.
  • We will be studying about Indians throughout this book.
  • Take plenty of notes!
  • Discuss what you have learned and start taking notes.
  • Complete this Lapbook piece HERE about the tribes.
  • Explore the Native Americans Resource Box from Lakeshore Learning

We will be using the following books with our studies:

Extra:


Science

Week 1: Chapters 1, 2 & 3

1. Read about mustangs.

  • Older kids can also work on a report. The report needs to include behavior, habitat, and diet.

2. Start learning about simple machines.

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

What are Simple Machines?

  • Read pages 1-3 of your book.
  • Write down these words and their definitions:
    • Simple Machine
    • Mechanical Advantage
    • Compound Machine
  • What are the 6 types of simple machines? Write them down in your notebook.

Watch this video for more information:

  • Discuss what you learned.
  • What simple machines do we use in our homes?

What is Force?

  • Read pages 4-7 of your book.
  • Write down these words and their definitions:
    • work
    • force
    • push
    • pull
    • equilibrium
    • unbalanced
    • gravity
    • friction
    • weight
    • lubricant
    • Newton
  • How can you fight friction?
  • Do one of the activities on pages 8-11.

Watch this video for more information:

3. What are Stars?

  • In this book Laura mentions watching the sky a lot and describes the stars.
  • Discuss what you learned.

Extra:


Life Skills

1. Following Ma’s Example

Talk about the importance of routines. We will be talking a lot about routines during this unit. Routines are simply a tool that help us to be more successful in our everyday lives. They are a set of steps that we follow on a regular basis to achieve our goals. Routines help everyone to know what is expected of them and when. This can help wi th frustrations that we face in our daily lives.

Ma kept to her routines even though things were very different. One big difference was the way she had to cook meals. This is a good skill to learn whether you like to camp or in the event of an emergency. Answer the questions below:

  • What things mentioned were part of their normal routine?
  • Why do you think Ma kept to these routines?

Watch this video on why routines are so important to kids:

  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • What routines help you the most?
  • What areas do you think you need better routines for?

We like to use the FlyLady app on our phone to keep track of our routines.

2. Ways to help around the house like Laura

We are going to talk about straightening up around the house.

These basic steps can be used in any room of the house.

How to straighten up a room:

  • First we need to pickup the items that don’t belong in the area/room. ex: Shoes, clothes, toys, etc.
    • You can use a laundry basket to pick up stray items and to carry them to where they belong.
  • Pick up all the trash in the area.
    • Put the trash where it belongs.
  • Check for spills and other messes.
    • Clean up messes as you find them.
  • Pick up piles and stacks of papers or books.
    • Put everything where it belongs.
  • Carry dirty dishes to the kitchen
    • Put them in the sink or other designated place.
  • Straighten DVDs and bookshelves.
    • Everything should be facing out so it can be read easily.
  • Fold blankets and put them where they belong.
  • Straighten and fluff pillows.
  • Straighten anything else that is out of place.
  • Wipe down anything that needs cleaned.
    • Ask what cleaner should be used.
  • Sweep or vacuum the floor.
  • Check the room over before leaving.

Do you know where everything goes? If not, be sure to ask a parent or older sibling to show you where to put everyting.

Watch this quick video and discuss what you learned:

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.

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?

  • Obedience means to willfully, promptly, and cheerfully do whatever a person of authority (ex: parents, teachers, or God) asks you to do.

Being obedient. This may not seem like a big deal but there could have been some serious consequences had Laura and Mary not obeyed Ma when crossing the river.

  • Why do you think it was so important for Laura and Mary to be obedient?
  • Should you be obedient? Why or why not? Read Ephesians 6:1-4.
  • What are some ways you can practice obedience?
  • Do you have a set of rules for your family?
  • If they aren’t printed then maybe you can ask your mom or dad to help you write them out.
  • Click HERE for an example of Family Rules.
  • Do have trouble being obedient? Did you know that you can ask God for help?
  • Click HERE for a really cute coloring page. Or click HERE for some more pages.

4. Manners

– Read through the first three pages of Emily’s Everyday Manners and discuss the manners shown in the pictures:

  • Helping people to show that they love them.
  • Doing kind things for others.
  • Apologizing
  • Remember that good manners take practice so don’t stop trying!

5. Memory Verse

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

Psalm 8.jpg

  • Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
    • Verse 1: O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
  • Older kids can copy the memory verse down in their notebook.

6. Fun Activities

Cooking On A Stick: Campfire Recipes for Kids

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 3 – Cross Hatch, Cracking Eggs, Garlic/Sauteeing (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:

Learn about camping.

Camp Out!: The Ultimate Kids’ Guide

And Jacob… lighted upon a certain place, … and he took the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. – Genesis 28:10-11

  • Read a book about camping. Record the Title and Author on your Reading Log.
  • Don’t have a Reading Log? You can print one HERE.
  • You may also want to get a notebook to keep track of all the interesting things you will be learning.
  • Camping can be a very fun experience, if you are prepared.

 

Learn about Herbs.

And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. – Genesis 1:29

  • You will need a good book about herbs. Record the Title and Author on your Reading Log.
  • Don’t have a Reading Log? You can print one HERE.
  • You may also want to get a notebook to keep track of all the interesting things you will be learning.

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

  • We will be studying out herbs. A person who seriously studies plants and/or herbs for healing is called a herbalist.
  • Plants are our friends. We need them to survive! Watch this quick video about what plants provide for us:
  • Discuss what you learned.
  • Jot down notes in your notebook.
  • Check out this link HERE for an Herbal Encyclopedia.
  • Does it surprise you that there are so many herbs?
  • Bonus points if you find a herbalist in your community.

PE, Health & Safety

Week 1: Chapters 1, 2 & 3

1. Water Safety

  • Crossing the creek proved to be very dangerous and scary for the Ingalls family. Watch these videos for some safety tips.
  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • Name 5 ways to stay safe around water.

2. Games/Outdoor Play

Horses were very useful in many ways during the pioneer times. This game doesn’t involve horses but is a fun game to play.


Music, Arts & Crafts

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:


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