Little House In The Big Woods Lesson Plans

Little House In The Big Woods Lesson Plans: Bringing Laura Ingalls Wilder's Classic to Life in Class

### Introduction: Journey back in time to the heart of the American frontier with Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved classic, "Little House in the Big Woods." This timeless tale captures the essence of pioneer life in the late 1800s, offering young readers a glimpse into a world vastly different from their own. With its rich historical context, endearing characters, and heartwarming stories, "Little House in the Big Woods" is the perfect foundation for engaging and educational lesson plans. ### Lesson Plan 1: A Place Called Home

Objectives

: - Explore the concept of home and its various meanings. - Analyze the Ingalls family's relationship with their cabin in the Big Woods. - Create a visual representation of the Ingalls' home.

Materials

: - Copy of "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder - Chart paper or whiteboard - Markers or crayons

Procedure

: 1.

Introduce the concept of home

: - Begin by asking students what the word "home" means to them. - Encourage them to share their thoughts and experiences. - Write their ideas on the chart paper or whiteboard. 2.

Read aloud from "Little House in the Big Woods"

: - Read aloud selected passages that describe the Ingalls family's cabin in the Big Woods. - Pause periodically to discuss how the family interacts with their home and how their environment shapes their everyday lives. 3.

Analyze the Ingalls family's relationship with their cabin

: - Ask students to think about how the Ingalls family feels about their cabin. - Discuss the ways in which their home provides them with shelter, food, and a sense of community. 4.

Create a visual representation of the Ingalls' home

: - Divide students into small groups and provide them with materials to create a visual representation of the Ingalls' cabin. - Encourage them to use their imaginations and creativity to capture the essence of the family's home. ### Lesson Plan 2: Life on the Frontier

Objectives

: - Gain an understanding of pioneer life in the late 1800s. - Analyze the challenges and rewards of living on the frontier. - Create a journal entry from the perspective of a pioneer child.

Materials

: - Copy of "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder - Primary source documents about pioneer life - Journals or notebooks - Writing utensils

Procedure

: 1.

Introduce the concept of pioneer life

: - Explain to students that the Ingalls family lived on the frontier in the late 1800s. - Discuss the challenges and rewards of living in a remote and undeveloped area. 2.

Read aloud from "Little House in the Big Woods"

: - Read aloud selected passages that describe the Ingalls family's daily activities, such as hunting, farming, and gathering food. - Pause periodically to discuss the challenges and rewards that the family faces. 3.

Analyze the challenges and rewards of living on the frontier

: - Ask students to think about the challenges that the Ingalls family faces, such as harsh weather, lack of supplies, and isolation. - Discuss the rewards of living on the frontier, such as the sense of freedom, self-reliance, and community. 4.

Create a journal entry from the perspective of a pioneer child

: - Provide students with journals or notebooks and ask them to write a journal entry from the perspective of a child living on the frontier. - Encourage them to use their imaginations to describe the challenges and rewards of their daily lives. ### Lesson Plan 3: Celebrating the Simple Life

Objectives

: - Explore the concept of simplicity and its value in modern life. - Analyze the Ingalls family's appreciation for the simple things in life. - Create a class gratitude journal.

Materials

: - Copy of "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder - Chart paper or whiteboard - Markers or crayons - Journals or notebooks - Writing utensils

Procedure

: 1.

Introduce the concept of simplicity

: - Begin by asking students what the word "simplicity" means to them. - Encourage them to share their thoughts and experiences. - Write their ideas on the chart paper or whiteboard. 2.

Read aloud from "Little House in the Big Woods"

: - Read aloud selected passages that describe the Ingalls family's appreciation for the simple things in life, such as spending time together, enjoying nature, and making do with what they have. - Pause periodically to discuss how the family finds joy and contentment in their simple lifestyle. 3.

Analyze the Ingalls family's appreciation for the simple things in life

: - Ask students to think about the ways in which the Ingalls family demonstrates their appreciation for the simple things in life. - Discuss how their lifestyle and values differ from those of people in modern society. 4.

Create a class gratitude journal

: - Provide students with journals or notebooks and ask them to create a class gratitude journal. - Encourage them to write about the things they are grateful for, both big and small. - Share the journal entries with the class and reflect on the importance of appreciating the simple things in life.