Grade Level: 3

Subjects: English, Spelling, Writing, Reading, Art, and Listening,

Learner Outcomes:
Students will:
· write complete sentences.
· answer comprehension questions.
· recall events from previously read chapters.
· make an Owl puppet and/or an owl mask.
· compare and contrast the lives of the Ingalls Family with their own.
· write answers to questions about the Ingalls Family.

Duration of Lesson: 2-3    60-90   minute sessions

Materials: Little House In The Big Woods
                  Brown lunch bags
                  Crayons
                  Newspaper
                  String/rubber bands
                 Pa’s Surprise
                 Owl mask

Comprehension questions and vocabulary
                  Study Guide for web site

Technology Tools/Courseware: Internet accessible computers
                                                    Bookmarked web sites
                                                    Printer
Teacher Notes:
· Students will be defining vocabulary words and answering comprehension questions
  throughout this unit.
· There will be discussions after reading each lesson.
· Each student will be provided with an assignment folder.
· Lessons will be done in cooperative groups and/or individually throughout the unit.
· An acceptable use policy must be in effect for each student before using the Internet.
· If a classroom set of Little House In The Big Woods is available, distribute to the class.
· The concepts of compare/contrast should be discussed before this assignment.
· Owl mask may be enlarged, printed, and distributed.
· Internet sites should be bookmarked before lesson introduction.

Procedures:
1. Review setting, characters, and events from Chapters 1-2.  Students will view pictures of guns and their accouterments that were used in Pa Ingalls’ day.

2. Begin reading Chapter 3.  Before reading p. 53 “Pa and the Voice in the Woods”, tell the students to listen especially carefully to find out what scared Pa in the woods when he was a little boy. Upon reaching the last paragraph on p. 58 and before reading it, ask the students what it was that scared Pa.  Discuss all possibilities then finish reading the chapter.  Assign the art activity Pa’s Surprise.  As an additional/optional activity the owl mask may be enlarged, printed, and distributed.

3. Read chapter 4 aloud. Discuss the Ingalls’ life in the big woods. Include in the discussion their daily activities as well as special day activities such as Christmas. Have students compare/contrast the Ingalls’ life with their own lives. Have them compare/contrast the Christmas gifts that the Ingalls girls received with their own Christmas gifts. List the similarities and differences on the chalkboard or chart paper.  The students should make a copy to be placed in the assignment folder.

4. Have students visit Internet site  Interactive Questions
This site contains an interactive picture, a word search puzzle that the students can download and complete, and two short quizzes.  The quizzes may be downloaded to be graded or they may be used by the students for review. The students may be given a study guide to be used with the site.
 

Modifications:
· Readings will be done orally with discussions following.
· Varying abilities of reading and writing skills should be noted and lessons modified
   accordingly.
· Students will utilize peer tutoring for use with students with special needs.
· Student lessons will be modified according to IEP specifications

Enrichment Activities: Allow students to draw a picture of Laura, Mary, Ma, Pa, and Carrie in their cabin in the woods.

Evaluation/Assessment:
· Evaluation will be an ongoing process throughout the lesson.  Students will be expected to
  participate in reading and discussions.
· A participation grade will be assigned the Owl project and the comparison chart.
· The study guide will be graded for accuracy.
· Comprehension questions and vocabulary words will be graded.

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:

Reading   3.15, 3.16, 3.17, 3.18, 3.19, 3.20, 3.23, 3.24, 3.26, 3.31, 3.34, 3.38,
English   3.57, 3.58, 3.59,
Spelling   3.473.60, 3.61, 3.62, 3.64, 3.68
Writing   3.40, 3.41, 3.42, 3.42, 3.44
Art  3.5, 3.9, 3.13, 3.15, 3.17
Listening    3.1, 3.2, 3.8, 3.13

National Standards

References: Little House In The Big Woods

Internet Sites: Interactive Questions

Authors:  Kathy Green
               Patricia Ricker
               Sandra Wolenski

Springfield Green Spring School
 

Introduction

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This art activity is a fun way to show what surprised Pa when he was a little boy.  It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete and uses materials that are readily available. It may be used for display or sent home with the students.
 

MATERIALS

Lunch bags
Newspaper
Crayons
String

PROCEDURE

Place the lunch bag on the desk with the flap side down.  With your crayons, decorate the bag with feathers, eyes, and a beak.  Open the bag and stuff with crumpled up newspaper. Tie the bottom with string

 1. Where was Mary born?
 2. What was Ma’s last name before she married Pa?
 3. Why did Pa make the family move so often?
 4. What school did Mary attend and why?
 5. Where did Laura and her family move when they left Pepin?
 6. Where was Carrie born?
 7. Name a song that Pa played on his fiddle.
 8. Name 3 skills that Ma had.
 9. How many children did Pa and Ma have?
10. Where and when did Laura die?
 

Owl Mask

Enlarge, copy, and distribute. Eyes should be cut out and a rubber band or string attached to either side.
 owlmask.doc
 
 

ramrod    thrashing

1. What was Pa’s process for making bullets and cleaning his gun?
2. What was the moral of the story of Pa and the voice in the woods?

gaiters    whittled    ravine    pokeberries    flatirons

1. How high was the snow at the beginning of  chapter 4?
2. How do the Ingalls celebrate Christmas?
3. How did Prince protect Aunt Eliza?
4. What was Laura’s special Christmas present?