My Little House Crafts Book: 18 Projects from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House Stories (Little House Nonfiction)
Little House Series
on Goodreads (85)
What’s inside...
Inside this book are eighteen easy-to-make crafts taken straight from the pages of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books. From Laura's corncob doll to Mary's Christmas tassels, and from Ma's button lamp to Charlotte's straw hat, you'll be able to share in Laura's pioneer experience by creating homemade crafts that you'll cherish forever.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What project from the book would you like to try making? Why does it interest you?
How do you think Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family used these crafts in their daily lives?
If you lived in Laura's time, which craft do you think would be most useful to you and why?
How do the crafts in the book help us learn about life in the past?
Can you think of any ways to modernize a craft from the book to use today?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their creativity by asking them to come up with a variation of one of the crafts.
Discuss the historical context of the crafts, perhaps comparing life then and now, to deepen their understanding of the book's setting.
Link the crafts to similar activities you already do at home to make the historical context more relatable.
Use praise to reinforce your child’s thoughts and perspectives as they answer questions, fostering a positive reading and learning experience.
Plan a crafting day where you and your child can create one of the projects together, using it as a tangible way to connect with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: Through engaging in the 18 different craft projects, children learn to use their imagination and problem-solving skills to create tangible items.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these creative skills in school projects or in finding inventive solutions to everyday challenges.
Example Lesson: Historical Awareness
Explanation: The crafts are inspired by the 19th-century American frontier lifestyle of Laura Ingalls Wilder, offering educational insights into how people lived during that time.
Real-World Application: This lesson provides children with a comparative understanding of past and present life, enhancing their appreciation for modern conveniences and cultural heritage.
Example Lesson: Following Instructions
Explanation: Each craft project comes with step-by-step instructions which children must follow to achieve the desired outcome.
Real-World Application: This skill is transferable to academic settings, cooking, assembling toys or furniture, and any situation where following directions is necessary.
Example Lesson: Patience and Perseverance
Explanation: Projects like these require dedication and focus, teaching children that completing tasks can sometimes be time-consuming and challenging.
Real-World Application: This prepares children for tasks in life that require sustained effort and patience, such as studying, learning a new skill, or cultivating a hobby.
Example Lesson: Valuing Handmade Crafts
Explanation: By participating in creating crafts from scratch, children learn to appreciate the effort and creativity that go into handmade items.
Real-World Application: This can encourage a preference for personalized, handmade gifts and an appreciation for artisanal work in their future consumer choices.