My youngest son was amazed that Laura Ingalls Wilder
was a real girl who actually lived during 1800. He was
fascinated by her life, but also with the fact that she wrote
her own story and that it's still being read by
kids today. The Little House on the Prairie books are
a wonderful tool for discussing history and times past
in a way that kids can relate to. Read aloud the books
as a family and think of things to do that would help
you understand her life. You could:
-Make a meal like Laura and her family would
have ate. Talk about the conveniences we have today compared
to what they had.
-Play a game she describes in one of her books, such
as Dominoes, Pick Up Sticks, Jacks, Marbles or Tiddlywinks.
-Look at a map and try to map out how far Laura and her
family traveled and discuss the difference between now
and then.
-Pop the Weasel was one of Laura's favorite songs. Sing
it together and try to imagine that she sang this over
100 years ago.
All around the mulberry bush
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey thought 'twas all in fun.
Pop! goes the weasel.
A penney for a spool of thread,
A penney for a needle.
That's the way the money goes.
Pop! goes the weasel.
Up and down the City Road,
In and out of the Eagle,
That's the way the money goes.
Pop! goes the weasel.
Half a pound of tuppenney rice,
Half a pound of treacle,
Mix it up and make it nice,
Pop! goes the weasel
Log Cabin Activity
Teach your kids about times past
when families didn't have the type of homes we have
now, and they had to work much harder at the everyday
things we take for granted! Laura's father built
two log cabins for them during their life. While making
this log cabin craft imagine how hard it must have been
for him!
You will need:
-a milk or juice carton
-brown construction paper
-glue
-scissors
-optional paint and items to decorate the cabin
Cut the carton down to about 4-5 inches tall to be
the base for your log cabin. Have the kids cut strips
of brown construction paper that measure the same
length as the sides of the base. They should be
about 12 inches long (the length of the sheet of paper
usually). They will form their logs by rolling the paper
tightly around a pencil. Glue the end down with a
white glue such as Elmer's. Smooth it down and hold
for a few seconds. Remove the pencil. They will need
to do this about 15 or 20 times. Emphasize that they
need to be patient and roll each one tightly.
When
they have completed the logs, have them glue one log
at a time to the base. They can trim the ends if any of
them stick out or seem a little off. Once they have the
cabin built they can get creative and decorate the roof
with seeds, beans, more construction paper, paint or
even moss that they glue to the roof. Let them use their
imagination. They can cut shapes out of paper for the
windows and doors.
Another optional step is using Styrofoam trays as a base
to glue the log cabin to. The kids can paint or decorate
the base as a lawn.
About The Author:
Brenda Hyde is a wife, mom to three and a freelance writer living in the rural Midwest United States. She is also editor
and owner of OldFashionedLiving.com.
