Little House on the Prairie
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Grades 3-7; Genre - Historical Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts. 8.0
Laura and her family journey by covered wagon into Indian territory, and start a farm. The plot contains racial prejudice within historical context.
Comprehension Questions
Going West
- Why does Pa want to go to Indian country? He doesn’t like how populated the Big Woods has gotten p.1
- How would you feel to ride in a wagon day after day with only the world to look at and no electronics to help pass the time? Listen to your child’s answer
Crossing the Creek
- What unfortunate incident happened while crossing the river? Jack died p.25
- To lose a dog is always difficult, but on the prairie, the family will miss having a good dog watch out for them. What other ways is it beneficial to have a good dog around on the prairie? Alerts their owners when an animal or person comes around; fights for their owners when they’re in danger; helps hunt for food; good friend and companion; etc. p. 27
Camp on the High Prairie
- What amazing thing happened in this chapter? Jack is alive and caught up to the Ingalls family p.34
- Why was everyone scared to see the eyes in the dark? Pa thought it was a wolf or other dangerous animal p.34
- Just imagine… there are no street lamps, flashlights, cell phone lights, headlights of cars driving by. It’s just the prairie and the sky. What would that feel like to you?
- Have you ever lost and found a pet? Share your story and how you felt
Prairie Day
- How do you know Laura and her family are happy with being on the prairie? Mary and Laura had fun playing in the grass; Pa was happy to find so many animals to hunt and fish in the creek p.43
The House on the Prairie
- Describe Mr. Edwards and explain if you think he will be a good neighbor or not. From Tennessee; fast worker; not married; lean and tall; could spit tobacco far; danced and sang p.63
Moving In
- How did Pa decide to keep his family safe from the wolves? He covered the house with the wagon cover for a roof, and they moved everything into the house so they could have four solid walls around them. There is still much to do to complete the home, but at least now their family is all inside p.71
The Wolf-Pack
- Summarize this chapter. Pa went to explore and found a good number of other settlers; as he was heading back home, a wolf pack of 50 surrounded him and Patty; they didn’t hurt him, just walked alongside him; the wolves headed to the river and Pa and Patty took off running home to make sure the family was safe; they were; at home, Jack and Pet had been uneasy, so Ma watched out carefully; that night, Laura woke up to the wolves circling the little house and howling, sniffing and breathing so close to the house that Laura could hear them p.84
- Use a word to describe how you would feel if you were in this situation.
Two Stout Doors
- What did Pa and Laura accomplish in this chapter? They made doors for the house and stable p.100
- Have you ever made something that gave you the feeling of accomplishment? Listen to your child’s answer
A Fire in the Hearth
- Pa worked hard every day providing for his family. How did he show love to his wife in this chapter? He built her a fireplace so she wouldn’t need to cook outside in the weather; instead of relaxing and taking a break, he wanted to keep working so she could use the fireplace sooner p.116
A Roof and a Floor
- Laura’s family is finally getting settled into their new home. What has impressed you about what her family has done since leaving their home in the Big Woods. Listen to your child’s answer
Indians in the House
- Summarize what happened in this chapter and how you would have felt, had you been in Laura’s shoes. Pa left to go hunting and chained up Jack; two Indians came to the house and demanded food and took Pa’s tobacco; Laura and Mary bravely went into the house to make sure Ma and Carrie were ok; the Indians smelled like skunk due to the skunk furs they wore; the Indians ate and left peacefully; Pa came back and told the girls to always do as they are told; listen to your child’s answer
- What would the ramifications been if the girls had let Jack loose when the Indians were in the house? He would have hurt the Indians, and the Indians would have retaliated, hurting their family, they even would have killed them and Jack p.145
Fresh Water to Drink
- How are Pa and Mr. Scott good neighbors to each other? They are kind, work together, friends, help each other, serve and protect each other.
- Who are your neighbors? What kind of relationship do you have with them? What can you do to be a better neighbor? Listen to your child’s answers p.150
- Do you agree or disagree that Pa should have gone into the well instead of going for help? Listen to your child’s answer
- Compare the process as to you get water in your house to how Pa provided water for his family. What are the risks to each situation? Listen to your child’s answer p.150
Texas Longhorns
- How did Pa acquire the cow, her baby and a slab of beef? He helped run the cattle through the river bottoms to keep them out of the ravines p.164
- Define the word sacrifice that is in context of this story. An act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy.
- As this story is being told we see the sacrifices Laura’s family has made to move to the prairie. List three sacrifices they have made. Has it been worthwhile for them to move? Leaving family and friends; leaving the comforts of their home; leaving the livelihood they made for themselves, etc.; yes, Pa has worked hard to help them be comfortable and they are enjoying their new lives on the prairie with their new neighbors, opportunities and surroundings p.170
Indian Camp
- Pa gave a description of what happened at the Indian Camp using the tracks they saw. Using a paper and pencil, draw the camp Pa described.
- Mary and Laura collected beads from the camp. Was it selfish for Laura to want to keep the beads for herself? Listen to your child’s answer p.179
Fever ‘N’ Ague
- Define what a miracle is. An event or an experience that is attributed to divine power.
- What miracle happened in this chapter? When the entire family became sick and close to death, the doctor came over, Jack let the doctor in the house, Mrs. Scott came to take care of them p.185
Fire in the Chimney
- Laura’s family had some hardship in this chapter. How did they rely on each other to get through it? The chimney started on fire and Ma and Laura saw what needed to be done to put it out and keep Carrie and Mary safe p.201
- Share a recent experience where you have helped your family through a hard time. Listen to your child’s answer
Pa Goes to Town
- How did Pa help take care of his family while he was away? He made sure they had everything they needed; he had Mr. Edwards come check in on them every day p.209
The Tall Indian
- Was it right for the Indians to steal things from Laura’s house? Why or why not? No; listen to your child’s answer p.232
Mr. Edwards Meets Santa Claus
- Explain why it is so special that Mr. Edwards saw Santa Clause? Santa Claus is an American tradition, and every child is excited for Christmas morning to see what Santa brought them; It was special because the girls didn’t think Santa would make it to the prairie, but when Mr. Edwards delivered their parents for Santa, they were happy he found them p.243
A Scream in the Night
- Why was it so dangerous to have a panther on the loose? It could kill humans p.258
Indian Jamboree
- As you reading this historical novel that took place when settlers were spreading out over the United States, what are your thoughts of how the government handled moving the Indians further west? Listen to your child’s answer p.273
Prairie Fire
- Compare the difference of the land in the Big Woods to the prairie land Pa is tilling. There are stumps and rocks in the ground where they used to live. On the prairie the soil is rich and there are grass roots p.275
- Why is Jack cross all the time? He’s chained up and isn’t free to protect the family from the Indians p.276
- Why are there so many rabbits running and jumping in plain sight? They were trying to get away from the fire p.277
- What is a good characteristic Pa has and is demonstrated as he is talking to his neighbors in this chapter? He sees the good in people and gives them the benefit of the doubt; he didn’t think the Indians started the fire to get rid of the settlers p.283
Indian War-Cry
- Summarize what happened in this chapter. All the Indian tribes but one wanted to kill the white settlers, so the tribes fought with yelling and screaming through the night for many nights. Thankfully the Indians decided they didn’t want to fight the tribe that didn’t want to kill the settlers; the drums and yelling kept Laura’s family up all night each night in fear; it was a terrible nightmare that she couldn’t wake up from; one Indian saved them and their neighbors; he had a good heart p.286
Indians Ride Away
- Have you ever moved to a new home or new city? Listen to your child’s answer
- How would you feel if you were one of those Indians leaving their country? Listen to your child’s answer p.303
Soldiers
- Why is the family leaving their little house on the prairie? Soldiers are coming through and escorting the settlers off Indian Territory back to the border p.316
Going Out
- How is the ending of this book similar to its beginning? The family is living in the covered wagon, traveling to an unknown destination p.327
- Why was Pa upset with the family whose horses were stolen? They didn’t know how to survive in the wilderness. They didn’t tie up their horses properly, didn’t keep watch and didn’t have a watchdog dog p.328
- What did you like about this story? Listen to your child’s answer