Lesson 5: Christmas
Getting Started
Questions to Explore
- How were families in the past dependent on the natural resources in their environment?
Facts and Definitions
- Exclamatory sentences show strong emotion or excitement.
- Interrogative sentences ask a question.
- Declarative sentences make a statement.
- Imperative sentences give a command.
Skills
- Interact with the text before, during, and after reading by asking questions. (LA)
- Identify and discuss similarities and differences in events, characters, and concepts across selections and support them by referencing the text. (LA)
- Demonstrate understanding by using a variety of complete sentences (declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory) in writing and speaking. (LA)
- Compose a draft of preliminary plans that conveys major ideas and maintains focus on a topic. (LA)
- Compose two or more paragraphs with topic sentences, supporting details, and a logical sequence.
Materials
- Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- ingredients for your child's favorite Christmas or holiday dish
- journal
Introduction
Tell your child that today's chapter is called "Christmas." Ask your child to predict what might happen in this chapter based on its title.
Materials: Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder, journal
Before your child begins reading the chapter, ask him to write down three questions he has about Christmas during the pioneer days. As he reads, see if his questions are answered. If not, help him research online or in reference books to answer his questions.
Questions
- How does the author describe the snow?Your child may include some of these details — the cabin was almost buried by the snow, there were huge drifts of snow against the house, the wall of snow in front of the door was as high as Laura's head, and the snow was described as "glittering," and it "sparkled."
- What did Pa make Ma for Christmas?A beautiful wooden shelf.
- Have you ever gotten a gift that someone made for you? If so, why was it a special gift?Answers will vary.
- Why did Prince growl at Aunt Eliza?He was trying to protect her from a panther.
- What does it mean that "children should be seen and not heard"? Do you think this is true? Why or why not?Answers will vary.
- What resources were used for the different gifts given?Answers may include the wood for the shelf, berries for the red color on the doll's face, apples, and cloves.