The New Year brings a lot of exciting opportunities around here. I love to spend my Christmas break pouring over websites and books trying to get new ideas for the upcoming semester. Last semester we did a Unit Study on Alice in Wonderland, the semester before we did The Swiss Family Robinson. This semester I have decided to do a Unit Study on The Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Rather than buy something I am reading through the book and putting together my own ideas as they come to me, and then I am sharing with you. This should be fun, but bear with me! (Please!) My children are 8 and 3. The majority of this curriculum is stuff I found that I will be trying to adjust to use with my 8 year old, and a few things I throw in for fun with my 3 year old.
Chapter 1
Language Arts
Chapter 1 Spelling/ Vocabulary/ Review Questions
Word Search Easy Fun School
Science
Study Wolves
Study on Yellowstone Wolves (older grades like middle school): Science Net Links
Although this is middle school level I made a few adjustments and actually did this project with Isabella. It was her first time doing this much research, especially with the purpose of forming her own opinion and writing a report based on the research. Here is her paper if you would like to see it: Bella's paper on Wolves
Wolves lap book (elementary grades): Homeschool Share Gray Wolf Lapbook
Wolf mask (preschool): big bad wolf mask
White Fang by Jack London is available as a free e-book.
How is meat preserved?
The Science of Sausage Curing - middle school level
How Stuff Works Video on Food Preservation - elementary/ middle grades
Food Presercation: turkey jerkey recipe
More jerkey recipes
Homemade Fruit Roll Ups Recipe
What is head cheese?
Video on how head cheese is made
Study Bears:
Bear lapbook - Upper elementary/ Middle
Grizzly Bear Coloring page - elementary
Bears Quiz - elementary
The food chain - upper elementary
How to write an animal report - upper elementary
History
The history of the "pig skin"
How footballs are made
Video of a Wilson football assembly line.
Activities
Make a paper log cabin
Make a corn cob doll
Chapter 2
I don't have the pictures that go with everything yet because we are running behind thanks to the lovely snow days we have had all week. (It is hard to keep them in when their friends are knocking on the door). At any rate, this chapter is a short one so we will be caught up in no time, I will add the pictures as we do them, and I have full confidence I will be on schedule for next week. I am so thankful that one's voice can't waiver while you type. Here we go!
Language Arts
Word Search Easy Fun School
Science
Study wildcats
I found a new report form for animal reports that I really liked at www.Currclick.com for free and you can get it here: http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=43658&it=1
I have had Bella writing reports on the animals that we do not have lapbooks for. She is still just a beginner as I have never had her do reports until last week, but we are making progress!
Study Deer
I also found a free deer mini-helper from www.Currclick.com
Research animal trapping Animal trapping on wikipedia
(you may want to view any material on animal trapping before allowing your children to view it. I chose this article because it was the least controversial one I saw)
Activities:
"Churn" Butter - How To Make Butter at Home
Here is a worksheet to fill out about your experience afterwards: Butter Churning Worksheet
Research - Find out how old Laura and Mary were when this book took place Little House in The Big Woods Info
Draw a picture of Jack Frost
Make Paper Dolls
Look at pictures of Kerosene Lamps
Find out How Kerosene Lamps Work
Character Building:
In this chapter the family works hard together to get things done. Even the very young members of the family help out around the house and with chores! When they are finished, the family spends lots of quality time together because they enjoy each other's company. What are some ways that you can be helpful around your house? What are some things that you would enjoy doing with your family for fun?
Chapter 3
Language Arts:
Science:
Study Foxes:
Study Muskrats:
Home Ec:
Art:
Character Building:
Spelling:
Stout
Gilt
Ravine
Gaiters
Vocabulary:
Gilt:
Bobsled:
Muffler:
Ravine:
Snarling:
Flatirons:
What special gift does Laura’s sister get for Christmas?
What does Ma get from Pa?
What do the other children get?
What form of transportation does the family use during the winter?
What did they put by their feet to keep them warm on the journey home?
How is the way this family celebrated Christmas the same as the way your family does?
Science:
Chipmunks http://www.homeschoolshare.com/chipmunks.php
A Chipmunk's Inside Outside World
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/mammals/rodent/Chipmunkprintout.shtml
Physical Education:
Make pictures (snow angels) in the snow!
Home Ec:
Make Maple Candy
Try your hand at a woodworking project? They have kits at wal-mart and craft stores. It might be fun to make your own wood gifts like Pa did!
Art:
Make a paper sled. http://miniatures.about.com/od/christmasminiatures/ss/printsleigh_2.htm
Chapter 6
Language Arts:
Spelling:
Quivered
Eagerly
Frightened
Icicles
Vocabulary:
Eaves
Quivered
Calico
Eagerly
Mending
Questions:
What sort of things do you hope for when your parents make a trip to the store?
What sort of things might you hope for if you had lived in the same time as Laura?
Do you think the girls were frightened waiting for their father to come home? Why or why not?
Father and mother each had funny stories about trying to fight a bear. Who do you think was braver? Why?
Science:
River Otter Print Out
Rabbit Lapbook
Art:
Make tin can lanterns:
1. Fill an old can (family size soup cans work best) with water and put it in the freezer.
2. Have your child draw a simplistic drawing of something they would like to have on their lantern. You really only want a silhouette so that it will be recognizable once you make the design.
3. Use a rubber band to hold the paper with the drawing on it onto the tin can.
4. Take a hammer and nail and make holes at regular intervals all around the outline of your drawing so that you end up with wholes in the shape of your drawing when the paper is removed.
5. Run hot water over the can to remove the ice, dry the can.
6. Paint the can with acrylic paints.
7. Put a candle inside and enjoy!!!!
Rabbit Lapbook
Art:
Make tin can lanterns:
1. Fill an old can (family size soup cans work best) with water and put it in the freezer.
2. Have your child draw a simplistic drawing of something they would like to have on their lantern. You really only want a silhouette so that it will be recognizable once you make the design.
3. Use a rubber band to hold the paper with the drawing on it onto the tin can.
4. Take a hammer and nail and make holes at regular intervals all around the outline of your drawing so that you end up with wholes in the shape of your drawing when the paper is removed.
5. Run hot water over the can to remove the ice, dry the can.
6. Paint the can with acrylic paints.
7. Put a candle inside and enjoy!!!!
Chapter 7
Language Arts
Vocabulary:
Eaves
Trough
Sap
Skimmed
Spelling:
Trough
Eaves
Skimmed
Questions:
1. Why did you first think that Pa called the snow a sugar snow?
2. Grandpa go maple syrup from the trees, can you think of something else we get from trees?
3. Why do you think ma never wore her delaine dress?
4. Could you imagine going from store bough dresses and living in town to living in the big woods?
Activity:
Imagine how ma and pa must have met. Write the story.
Geography:
Locate Wisconsin on a map.
Science:
Sugaring Season: Making Maple Sugar
Squirrels (My Big Backyard)
Squirrel Printout
Home Ec:
Home made maple candy
Eaves
Trough
Sap
Skimmed
Spelling:
Trough
Eaves
Skimmed
Questions:
1. Why did you first think that Pa called the snow a sugar snow?
2. Grandpa go maple syrup from the trees, can you think of something else we get from trees?
3. Why do you think ma never wore her delaine dress?
4. Could you imagine going from store bough dresses and living in town to living in the big woods?
Activity:
Imagine how ma and pa must have met. Write the story.
Geography:
Locate Wisconsin on a map.
Science:
Sugaring Season: Making Maple Sugar
Squirrels (My Big Backyard)
Squirrel Printout
Home Ec:
Home made maple candy
