"Little House in the Big Woods" Reading Comprehension and Literature Class
An 8 week course in which the student will read Little House in the Big Woods and engage in discussion of content, Literary elements, introduction to the American Historical content, study vocabulary words, and create art projects.
Dayna Harrison
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(27)
What's included
8 live meetings
6 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. The student will benefit the most from the class by reading the chapters provided for homework each week. Each week the student will be required to read 2 chapters of the book "Little House in the Big Woods", therefore the student will be prepared to discuss topics in class as well as engage with the activities with understanding.Assessment
***Teacher Dayna will supply Chapter Quizzes each week and a Unit Test to be administered by the parent. The quizzes and tests are to be distributed at the parents discretion. The quizzes and tests will not be administered by the teacher and will not be a requirement to complete the class.Class Experience
US Grade 1 - 4
Literature is always more meaningful when the reader is engaged with the story through interaction and understanding. Giving the student a solid background about the author and the Literary Elements also helps the student comprehend the time period, the characters, and the author of the book. In each lesson the students will engage with discussion, be introduced to vocabulary words--(the vocabulary words will be derived from the book), create a hands-on-project to engage all of their senses during course work, and do a reading activity.
Throughout the course the students will learn:
American History,
Geography,
Language Arts,
Social Studies,
Science,
Art, and
how to use research skills.
The students will read 2 chapters of the book prior to each class, (except the first and last class), to help enrich the discussion and allow the class time to be wisely used to dig a little deeper and develop the students comprehension skills and vocabulary. The students can read prior to the first class, but it is not necessary.
At the beginning of each lesson the students will review the highlights for each chapter through discussion over the chapters read prior to the class.
Teacher Dayna will use the 4 types of learning to help engage each child, because learning for each child is an individual experience and in a classroom setting where there are multiple students---Each of these types of learning will be incorporated throughout the lesson plans----Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic. The projects in each class are not meant to trivialize the history of the book, but are used to help the students engage kinesthetically to deepen their academic understanding through activities which reflect the different arts, tools, and animals of the time period.
In the worksheet packet the teacher will provide a list of added supplies needed to complete each project---these supplies will be many items you may have around the house now or can be easily and inexpensively acquired.
***Parents, please do not worry, this class will not cancel due to small class size.
Below is a guide to each week's Lesson Plan:
Week 1--Learn about the parts of a book
-Learn about the author of the book--Laura Ingalls Wilder
-Literary Elements--Setting and Main Characters
-In this class we will do some reading and discussion of chapter 1 together.
-Geography Activity--Map of Wisconsin and the United States
-Vocabulary List introduced for Chapters 1- 2
-Within this book there are some misrepresentations of the Native American in this time period that will be brought to light and
discussed in the settling of America
Week 2 -Review parts of a book, Literary Elements, Geography, and review vocabulary words with game.
-Introduce Native American History
-Discuss Chp 1-2
-History of the Native Americans in the state of Wisconsin
-Treaty of Prairie du Chien of 1825
-Black Hawk War of 1832
-Color the Great Seal of the Menominee Nation and discuss its meanings.
-Make a small piece of pottery with clay dough--one of the Menominee Indian art forms is clay pottery
-Begin the process of homemade butter
-Introduce the new vocabulary list for 3-4
Week 3 -Review Week 1 and week 2
-Play a vocabulary game to review the vocabulary words-(alphabetical order and syllables)
-Discussion for chapters 3-4
-Compare and Contrast homes of the past and present
-Discuss the owl story in chapter 3 and make a sack owl puppet
-Introduce Vocabulary list for Chapters 5-6
Week 4 -Review week 3
-vocabulary game-(Definition or Word)
-Discuss chapters 5-6
-Discuss a family tree and why it is important to know your family tree
-Discuss why a lantern would be an important tool to have during this time in history
-Make a lantern*****students will need prepare the pattern in class and after class with a parent's help complete the lantern. The student will bring their lantern back to the next class show and tell their lanterns
-Introduce Vocabulary list for Chapters 7-8
Week 5 -Review week 4
-Do game with vocabulary words
-Discuss chapters 7-8
-Learn about honey bees--Science Research
-Create a patchwork quilt from construction paper
-Introduce Vocabulary list for Chapter 9-10
Week 6 -Review previous chapters and week 5
-Vocabulary Game-(Parts of Speech game)
-Discuss chapter 9-10
-Listen to the story--"The Boy who cried Wolf" and contrast it with the story of the boy in chp. 10
-Discuss how the student should be thinking about their ideas for the cover of their cookbook
-Make paper dolls and folding project to make a cabin
-Introduce Vocabulary list for Chapter 11-12
Week 7 -Review week 6 and the vocabulary words for context and understanding
-Discuss Chapter 11-12
-Answer Comprehension questions
-Discuss and begin creating a design for the cover for their cookbook
-Introduce Vocabulary list for Chapter 13
Week 8 -Review all vocabulary words and answer any questions
-Discuss Chapter 13
-Students show their design for the cover for their recipe book
-Finalize class and answer any questions
-Teacher Dayna will send some recipes that were used in the book that can be put in their cookbook and the student may
want to add some of their own recipes to the cookbook. This could make a great gift to a family member-grandmother,etc.
***Teacher Dayna will supply Chapter Quizzes to the parents after chapter 2 and each week following as well as a Unit Test to be administered by the parent. The quizzes and tests are to be distributed at the parents discretion. The quizzes and tests will not be administered by the teacher and will not be a requirement to complete the class.Learning Goals
Understand the 9 Literary Elements of Literature
Be able to define the vocabulary words used in the book
Practice writing skills by creating sentences using the vocabulary words introduced in each week's lesson
Develop good listening skills and be respectful of others as we discuss the book in class.
Understand where this book falls in the history timeline of America and the historical events that surround the life of Laura
Review other skills: Alphabetical order, research skills, parts of speech, how to write a complete sentence, how to answer a comprehension question, how to properly read aloud and how to read silently
Other Details
Parental Guidance
In the 1860's the Ingall's were part of the pioneers, who were illegal settlers and established their homes on the Native American's homeland. We will discuss how this is not appropriate behavior to take something that does not belong to you. This concept of ownership is clear even to student's of a young age. In the beginning of the book Laura says that she lives in the Big Woods with no one living around her, but we will discuss that as a young child Laura did not see other people, but that there were actually others, the Native Americans, that lived in the Big Woods near Laura and her family. As is expressed in the Outschool Policy for class listings the class will be unbiased, inclusive of all learners, and intentionally be designed to represent diverse viewpoints fairly and accurately. During Week 1 we will discuss the misrepresentations of the Native American, racial slurs, and harmful stereotypes within the historical perspective of the pioneer era. Also, on page 53 Pa refers to a story from his childhood when he was pretending he was "a wild hunter, stalking the wild animals and the Indians." This in its context expresses racism. Since this is a sentence used early in the book and discrimination of the Native American is a part of American History; discrimination against the Native American will be addressed in the second week of class discussion. The student's will learn about the Native American tribes which lived specifically in and around Wisconsin at this time in history: Menominee; Sauk and Fox. They will also learn about the Treaty of Prairie du Chien of 1825, The Black Hawk War of 1832, and The Homestead Act of 1862, which were all historical events that impacted this area of America. All discussions will be handled in an age appropriate manner. In the "Course Description" for this class I have provided a Lesson Plan which provides a breakdown of the information to be taught each week. I encourage if you have more questions to refer to the material found in the "Sources" section below where I have posted websites and articles which provide relevant information to this class content or the teacher can be contacted directly.
Supply List
The student will need to bring the book--"The Little House in the Big Woods" to each class. In each class the learner will complete some type of art project each week except the first and last week in class. The materials will either be supplied by the teacher or will be items easily acquired. Week 1 - crayons or colored pencils and map provided by teacher, Week 2 - some type of modeling clay-the teacher suggests-SCULPTEY, which can be purchased at Wal-Mart or on Amazon for a small price. Sculptey is a clay that is moldable and can be baked in the oven to make a permanent art project. Or if the parent wants a student may use any type of modeling clay for this project. Week 2(second project)-jar with a tight lid, such as a small mason jar, 1/2 a cup of heavy cream and a pinch of salt Week 3 -owl puppet:small brown paper sack that can fit over your hand, yellow construction paper(or white paper and a yellow crayon), black crayon, brown construction paper, scissors, glue stick, black construction paper (or white paper and black crayon) Week 4 - lantern:empty and clean small tin soup can, 2 pieces of paper, scissors, pencil, a tealight candle Week 5 - patchwork quilt:scissors, two different colored pieces of colored construction paper, an 8 X 8 piece of cardboard, a ruler, a glue stick Week 6 - sheet of either brown or white construction paper, scissors, black pen--- If paper is white the student will need a brown crayon Week 7 - crayons and piece of copy paper-begin to design an individual cover for their class cookbook Week 8 - no craft this week
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2021
4.9
27reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Oklahoma Baptist University
I have read this specific book multiple times with students ages 6-12 . This book is a Historical Fiction book and even though the primary focus of the book is the lifestyle of the author Laura Ingalls Wilder, the class will look at some of the historical events that surround this time period. This story was written in a time when it was common to discriminate against Native Americans. To prepare for this class I have researched the Menominee and Sauk and Fox tribes which are located in the Wisconsin area as well as the discrimination they endured. Refer to the parental guidance section or the course description for more details of specific historical events to be discussed. Reviews
Live Group Course
$30
weekly or $240 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
45 min
Completed by 12 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-10
1-10 learners per class
Financial Assistance
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