Lesson 10: Summertime and Harvest
Getting Started
Questions to Explore
- What interdependent relationships can be found in nature?
- How does people's dependence on the environment change with the seasons?
Facts and Definitions
- Bees and flowers have an interdependent relationship.
- Seasons affect the environment and activities of people.
Skills
- Connect own experiences with the experiences, language, customs, and culture of others through speaking and listening. (LA)
- Draw conclusions from gathered information. (LA)
- Demonstrate learning through productions and displays such as reports, illustrations, and dramatizations. (LA)
- Organize information using notes, charts, and labels. (LA)
Materials
- Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- drawing paper* (Activity 3 - Option 1)
- journal
- markers
* - denotes an optional material that may or may not be needed
Introduction
Ask your child to describe the seasons where you live. Discuss how the seasons affect the environment as well as people's lives.
Materials: Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder, journal
Today your child will read the chapters "Summertime" and "Harvest." After she reads "Summertime," have your child answer the following questions.
Questions
- Why do you think people visited the Big Woods more in the summer?Answers will vary.
- What was the difference between how Mary played with Eva and how Laura played with Clarence?Mary and Eva did not do things that made them dirty. They walked and talked together. Laura and Clarence ran and climbed trees together.
- Did you like the song that Pa sang about Old Grimes? Why or why not?Answers will vary.
- What did Pa bring home with him? How did he get it?Honey. Pa banged on a tree with a club, and the bear waddled off. Pa chopped the bee tree down and split it open.
Materials: Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder, journal
After she reads the chapter "Harvest," have your child answer the following questions.
Questions
- Why do you think Pa and Uncle Henry traded work?Answers will vary.
- What did Laura's parents say about how Charley was treated by his parents?Charley's parents spoiled him and did not make him work enough.
- What did Charley do in the fields when he was supposed to be helping his father and uncle?He got in their way, hid the whetstone, he was slow to bring them water, and he screamed for no reason.
- What happened when Charley was stung by yellow jackets?They did not believe anything was wrong with him.
- Do you think that Charley deserved to be stung by yellow jackets? Why or why not?Answers will vary.
- Have you ever been stung by a bee or wasp? Describe what happened and how it felt.Answers will vary.