Using the classic book Little House in the Big Woods, learn about life in the 1870's. This is a perfect book for a cooperative class, small book club or just for fun! Many of the cable channels offer the Little House on the Prairie reruns for your viewing pleasure, but you can also find them on Netflix and for free to borrow from many local libraries. Here are some creative ideas to turn this book into a cross curricular adventure!

1. Create and design your own "little house", based on products and resources available in 1870. Study the architecture and style of the early pioneers. Design a "little house", complete with a floor plan and design appropriate for this time period. No media rooms! *You can incorporate Lincoln Logs and log cabins here. www.hoover.archives.gov/LIW/pioneertown/activities_pioneertown.html


2. Complete art projects based on this time period, maybe even crafts Laura Ingalls would have done! Sewing, clothespin dolls, candles, western crafts and artwork are all timely, as well as yarn dolls are great options. Here is a quilt idea: www.hoover.archives.gov/LIW/9patch/activities_9patchquilt.html

3. Sciences- Cooking and Science-make butter! Also, learn to play marbles (the real way!) and race the marbles, too. Don't forget about animals in the big woods, like the mink, wildcat, muskrat, deer, owl, and otter. Here is a wildflower seed activity to go with the quilt book, so you can even plant a wildflower garden! www.hoover.archives.gov/LIW/wildflowers/activities_wildflowers1.html

4. Check out this free Little House on the Prairie Lapbook- www.homeschoolshare.com/little_house_on_prairie.php and Little House in The Big Woods Lapbook-www.homeschoolshare.com/little_house_in_the_big_woods.php

5. Read all about the wonderful and beloved Little House with the book series. These are appropriate for the second to fifth grade students, or as a read aloud by mom or dad for the whole family!