Tag Archives: historical fiction

Comprehension Questions – Little House on the Prairie #3 Little House on the Prairie

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

  1. Why does Pa want to go to Indian country? He doesn’t like how populated the Big Woods has gotten p.1
  2. 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

  1. What unfortunate incident happened while crossing the river? Jack died p.25
  2. 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

  1. What amazing thing happened in this chapter? Jack is alive and caught up to the Ingalls family p.34
  2. Why was everyone scared to see the eyes in the dark? Pa thought it was a wolf or other dangerous animal p.34
  3. 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?
  4. Have you ever lost and found a pet? Share your story and how you felt

Prairie Day

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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
  2. Use a word to describe how you would feel if you were in this situation.

Two Stout Doors

  1. What did Pa and Laura accomplish in this chapter? They made doors for the house and stable p.100
  2. Have you ever made something that gave you the feeling of accomplishment? Listen to your child’s answer

A Fire in the Hearth

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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
  2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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
  3. Do you agree or disagree that Pa should have gone into the well instead of going for help? Listen to your child’s answer
  4. 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

  1. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  1. Define what a miracle is. An event or an experience that is attributed to divine power.
  2. 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

  1. 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
  2. Share a recent experience where you have helped your family through a hard time. Listen to your child’s answer

Pa Goes to Town

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. Why was it so dangerous to have a panther on the loose? It could kill humans p.258

Indian Jamboree

  1. 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

  1. 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
  2. Why is Jack cross all the time? He’s chained up and isn’t free to protect the family from the Indians p.276
  3. Why are there so many rabbits running and jumping in plain sight? They were trying to get away from the fire p.277
  4. 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

  1. 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

  1. Have you ever moved to a new home or new city? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. How would you feel if you were one of those Indians leaving their country? Listen to your child’s answer p.303

Soldiers

  1. 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

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions Magic Tree House #36 Sunlight on the Snow Leopard

Sunlight on the Snow Leopard

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL N; AR pts. 1.0

Morgan le Fay tells Jack and Annie to seek out "The Gray Ghost" and listen to her story. They are whisked away to Nepal where they meet Tenzin, a climber, who takes them up the mountain to meet a snow leopard.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize what this story is going to be about. Jack and Annie are going to Nepal to find a ghost in the mountains p.1

Chapter 2

  1. List an observation Jack and Annie made of the people in this area. They are hard workers p.19

Chapter 3

  1. How did Annie convince Tenzin to help them find the ghost? She read Morgan’s poem to him and told him they were serious about finding the ghost, not just curious p.25

Chapter 4

  1. What did you learn about Tenzin in this chapter? He’s sad because his wife and daughter died last winter p.34
  2. Predict how Jack and Annie will help him in this story. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Jack agree to follow Tenzin? Tenzin quoted a phrase from the poem and confirmed that they were supposed to follow Tenzin p.42

Chapter 6

  1. How did Tenzin put Jack and Annie at risk? By taking them on treacherous steep ground and for hiking so high p.51

Chapter 7

  1. What is the great ghost and how did Jack and Annie find it? A snow leopard; they tried to find Tenzin and when they hiked up to him, the snow leopard was with him. She was difficult to see because she blended in with the rocks p.59

Chapter 8

  1. How do you think the snow leopard is wise and what secret does she have to tell? Listen to your child’s answer p.62

Chapter 9

  1. Why didn’t Jack want to tell Ama and the girls about the snow leopard. Tenzin has a special bond with the snow leopard, and they want him to be the one to talk about her if he wants to p.72
  2. Have you ever had a story that was your own that you haven’t wanted anyone else to share or talk about? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 10

  1. Were you correct in your assumption about what the poem means? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. If not, what is answer? The secret is love hides in plain sight, and we are never alone p.82
  3. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions Little House on the Prairie #2 Farmer Boy

Farmer Boy

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Grades 4-8; Genre - Historical Fiction; GRL P; AR pts. 9.0

Nine-year-old Almanzo lives with his family on a big farm in New York State at the end of the nineteenth century where he raises his own two calves, helps cut ice and shear sheep, and longs for the day he can have his own colt.

Comprehension Questions

School Days

  1. How does Almanzo’s school compare to the school you go to? The boys sit on one side of the schoolhouse and girls sit on the other; it has all ages in one classroom and isn’t split into separate classes; three children cannot talk or move; the girls went to recess first for 15 minutes, then the boys would go to recess 15 minutes; if they are late, they get whipped p.1

Winter Evening

  1. Give two examples in this chapter that show you that Almanzo loves and respects his parents. He listens and obeys his Dad about the horses and not taking a lantern into the haymows; pleased with himself that his father recognized he was a good milker and he knew he would milk the cows that are difficult to milk now; he knew his father was a good and honest man; he felt his mother was beautiful and listened and obeyed her as well p.17

Winter Night

  1. What part of this chapter did you enjoy? Listen to your child’s answer p.30

Surprise

  1. How did Mr. Corse defend himself and “best” the big boys of the class? One at a time, he used a whip to wrap around them; using the whip, he moved them to the door and threw them out; three of the boys saw they were going to get thrown out with the whip and they jumped out of the window; Almanzo’s dad gave Mr. Corse the whip p.44

Birthday

  1. What was special about Almanzo’s birthday? His father made him a yoke for his two calves and a sled; he didn’t have to go to school; he could eat all the treats he wanted; he went sledding and started to train his calves; he helped his dad make a shingle p.49

Filling the Ice-House

  1. What did Almanzo’s family use as a refrigerator in the summer? The ice-house
  2. How did Almanzo help with the ice-house? He and Royal put saw dust between each block of ice and covered the ice blocks with 3” of sawdust p.72
  3. What do you talk about with your siblings as you work together? Listen to your child’s answer

Saturday Night

  1. Describe the process Almanzo’s family used to take their baths on Saturday night. Almanzo and Royal hit icicles down from the kitchen eaves to fill the tub; Almanzo was the first to bath; Alice would empty his tub and fill her own; and each member of the family would take turns emptying the person’s tub that just bathed and then fill their own tub; this prevented the family from getting a cold p.82

Sunday

  1. Almanzo went to church in this chapter. Have you ever been to church? Describe your experience there. If not, then share what Almanzo did at his church. Almanzo sat and looked at the preacher during church; it was two hours long p.90

Breaking the Calves

  1. What lesson did Almanzo learn in this chapter? He needs to teach his calves how to follow commands while he is riding the sled p.105

Turn of the Year

  1. How did Almanzo’s family gather sugar for the year? They put taps on the trees and gathered sap; they boiled it to sugar; then they put it in buckets to harden p.110

Springtime

  1. List the vegetables Almanzo and his family planted in the spring? Potatoes, carrots, corn p.125
  2. Have you ever planted a seed? What type of plant was it? What did you need to do to help it grow? Water it and make sure it has sunlight. Listen to your child’s answer

Tin-Peddler

  1. What did Mother trade for the tin wear? Rags she made p.138
  2. Why didn’t Mr. Brown expect her to pay with money? Money was scarce in those days and goods were highly prized. Mother made the rags and they were important for Mr. Brown to have for his pans p.138

The Strange Dog

  1. Why do you think the dog stayed the night Father sold the horses? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. Why is it important the strange black dog came to Almanzo’s house? Whatever the reason, the dog stopped two men from robbing his family p.152

Sheep-Shearing

  1. How did Almanzo’s father give the sheep a bath? They put soap on the sheep and dragged it out into deep water and rubbed the wool of the sheep until the soap was rinsed out p.155
  2. What distracted Almanzo from his job and why was it a problem? He saw his cat run with a mouse in its mouth, and went to go see its new kittens; he got behind in his job p.158

Cold Snap

  1. Summarize this chapter. There was a cold snap the night before July 4th. Almanzo’s family had to take water and pour some over each corn plant to save it from the frost before the sun came up; once the sun hit the frozen plants, it would kill them, the water saved them; they only lost 1/4 acre and saved 2.75 acres p.163

Independence Day

  1. Define patriotism. The quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one's country.
  2. Why is patriotism important? 1) The country will benefit from the knowledge and skills of patriotic citizens as they show patriotism, hard work and loyalty. 2) The country will grow and succeed. 3) There will be peace and unity in the country.
  3. How did Almanzo’s family and town celebrate Independence Day? Dressed up in Sunday best; gathered in town; had a band that played and marched; said the pledge of allegiance; had political speakers; had a picnic together; American flags furling in the wind; lemonade stand; shot off cannons p.177
  4. How do you show patriotism for your country? Listen to your child’s answer.
  5. Why was it difficult for Almanzo to ask his father for a nickel? Respectable boys at that time didn’t ask their fathers for money p.182
  6. What did Almanzo learn in this chapter? Importance of earning money with hard work and how America was made p.177

Summer-Time

  1. What are two fond memories Almanzo made in this chapter? Going fishing with his father when it was raining and spending the day with his family berry picking p.195

Keeping House

  1. How was Eliza Jane a good sister in this chapter? She helped take care of the house with mother and father gone; she patched up the wallpaper when Almanzo made a black mark on the wall when he threw a paintbrush at her p.203

Early Harvest

  1. What does the word harvest mean?
  2. How did Almanzo help his family harvest their fields? He helped spread out hay and then stack it in the barn; helped bind oats and shock them (put stacks of grain around them to protect them from dew/rain); put rocks around the bean stakes and wrap bean stalks around them p.228

Late Harvest

  1. What’s the difference between the early harvest and late harvest? There was a rush to get everything into the barns so the frost wouldn’t ruin the crops; they harvested different crops; it was freezing cold while they worked p.240

County Fair

  1. When Almanzo won first prize for his pumpkin, why was he worried that he cheated? He had grown it with milk and realized that it may be against the rules p.273
  2. What gave Almanzo confidence that he hadn’t cheated? His father taught him how to grow the pumpkin, and his father wasn’t a cheater p.273
  3. Why did Almanzo grow tired of having a good time? He was used to working hard and accomplishing a lot throughout the day and he didn’t like that there wasn’t purpose to his days p.274
  4. Do you agree with Almanzo that three days at the fair was too much fun? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Fall of the Year

  1. How did Father know it was going to snow without a weather channel or app to tell him? He knew what the weather felt like; he had learned throughout his life what different weather and pressure in the air felt like, just like he knew the ground was going to freeze earlier in the book p.277
  2. Why was it important for Almanzo’s family to butcher the animals and make candles? To give them food and light throughout the winter and through to next fall p.284

Cobbler

  1. List two things from this chapter that we do not do anymore. Drink tea out of a saucer; have a cobbler come to our homes to make shoes; use a corn husker p.285

The Little Bobsled

  1. Why couldn’t Father and Almanzo work outside the next day? The storm would be too big p.304

Threshing

  1. Use a word to describe how Almanzo felt at the end of this chapter and explain why. Listen to your child’s answer p.311

Christmas

  1. Describe what your Christmas looks like and compare it to the one Almanzo celebrated in this chapter. What does Almanzo do differently? Listen to your child’s answer. Almanzo helped get everything ready on Christmas Eve; they went to bed and woke up really early (earlier than they were supposed to) and opened presents; they enjoyed their gifts and then got ready for family to come over; family came over and they had a big dinner; the cousins went out to play in the snow; they then came inside and had apple cider and ate apples; the cousins wrapped up and went home bundled up on their sleigh p.312

Wood-Hauling

  1. Summarize this chapter. Almanzo helped Father gather logs for firewood; he faced trials steering his calves, loading the logs and getting stuck in a snowdrift. His father gave him encouragement but let him figure out how to solve his predicaments. Share an experience where you learned something through sheer experience p.329

Mr. Thompson’s Pocketbook

  1. What good characteristic did Almanzo show in this chapter and how did it benefit him? He was honest with Mr. Thompson’s pocketbook; Mr. Paddock made sure that Mr. Thompson rewarded him with $200 p.354

Farmer Boy

  1. How did Almanzo tell Father that he wanted to be a farmer? He wanted to buy a colt and break it; this showed his father that he wanted to be on the farm just like him p.371
  2. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child’s answer.

Comprehension Questions – Little House on the Prairie #4 On the Banks of Plum Creek

On the Banks of Plum Creek

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Grades 4-7; Genre-Historical Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts. 8.0

After moving to Minnesota, the Ingalls family encounters a terrible blizzard and a grasshopper plague. The plot contains racial prejudice within historical context.

Comprehension Questions

The Door in the Ground

  1. How does this story begin? Laura’s family has traveled to Minnesota; they traded their horses, mule and wagon cover for a dugout and wheat fields p.1

The House in the Ground

  1. Describe the dugout. A little house dug out of the side of a hill; clean and small; whitewashed; willow branches and sod used for walls and roof p.10

Rushes and Flags

  1. Why does Ma say the girls will turn into “water bugs”? They are always playing in the water and come into the house all wet p.20

Deep Water

  1. Why don’t Ma and Pa want the girls to go upstream to the hole full of deep, dark water? They don’t want the girls to go by themselves in case they drown or get hurt p.23
  2. How did Pa teach Laura a lesson? When she continued to go out into the deep water after being told not to, Pa swam under and grabbed her foot, pulling her under the water p.24

Strange Animal

  1. What helped Laura stay safe and not go to the swimming hole? A badger p.30
  2. Why did Laura tell her Pa that she disobeyed him? She felt guilty and she knew she needed to p.33
  3. Have you been in a situation where you haven’t been honest and knew you needed to tell the truth? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Wreath of Roses

  1. Why is it exciting for Laura’s family to have a milk cow? They have been without milk and butter since they left Indian Territory p.40

Ox on the Roof

  1. How did the ox get on the roof? An ox got away from Laura and Jack as they tried to take him to the stable and he ran on their roof. One of his legs went through but out didn’t seem to do any harm; however, the next morning, the roof collapsed p.47

Straw Stack

  1. Why did the girls get in trouble for playing on the straw stack? As they jumped, slid and rolled down it, it spread the straw out; Pa needed the straw to be in a stack so he could feed it to the animals throughout the winter p.60

Grasshopper Weather

  1. Define grasshopper weather. Warm weather around Thanksgiving; nights are chilly, days are warm p.63

Cattle in the Hay

  1. Summarize this chapter. Ma, Pa, and Carrie went to town. Mary and Laura stayed home. Laura saw the cattle trampling and eating the hay. Jack helped them run at the cattle and finally got them to leave to the prairie. The cattle were there because Johnny had fallen asleep p.67

Runaway

  1. What scary event happened in this chapter? When the Ma and Pa were coming back from town, Bright couldn’t wait to eat at the stable and ran home without listening to Pa. Ma and Carrie almost fell to the riverbed in the wagon p.74

The Christmas Horses

  1. What is Ma’s explanation of Santa Claus? He is more than one person; he is everywhere and he is all the time. Whenever anyone was unselfish, that was Santa Claus p.85
  2. Do you agree or disagree with Ma? Listen to your child’s answer

A Merry Christmas

  1. What special gifts were given and received on Christmas? Mary and Laura made Carrie a beautiful button string and they all received candy in their stockings. They also received two beautiful horses and got to ride them down to the water p.93

Spring Freshet

  1. Laura was excited about the roaring creek. How would you have felt seeing and hearing so much water so close to your home? Listen to your child’s answer p.98

The Footbridge

  1. What sticky situation did Laura get herself into? She snuck outside and got into the roaring creek holding onto the footbridge. She could have drowned since the water was so strong, but she pulled herself out and was ok p.101

The Wonderful House

  1. If you previously read the book, Little House on the Prairie, compare the home Pa built in that story to the home he built in this book. In Indian territory, Pa built a home from logs he cut and stacked himself. This home is made from boards that were cut from a machine, there were lots of windows and a lean to attached. Pa also purchased a black stove p.107

Moving In

  1. List two things Laura found exciting as they moved into their new house. The new stove for Ma; there was so much light coming in from the windows; the curtains Ma had sewn; Laura and Mary’s new room with their own boxes; that she could hear the rain on the roof p.118

The Old Crab and the Bloodsuckers

  1. What did Mary and Laura find along the path Pa told them to take? Shallow water with minnows, a crawdad and leeches or bloodsuckers p.128
  2. Have you ever had leeches stuck to your skin? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

The Fish-Trap

  1. Summarize how Pa helped Laura understand the importance of going to school. Not every child gets a chance to go; he promised her Ma their girls would go; that’s why they moved so close to a town with a school; her Ma used to be a teacher and understands the importance of book learning p.138

School

  1. Summarize Laura and Mary’s first day of school. They arrived and met a few other kids; the teacher rang the bell and they went inside; the teacher found out their names, ages, and their reading level; the teacher let them borrow her slate; at lunch, everyone else went home while Laura and Mary ate their lunch in the shade p.152

Nellie Olson

  1. Choose two words that describe Nellie Oleson. Give an example of each from this chapter. Example: Spoiled - Father gave her directions, but she didn’t listen and didn’t get in trouble when she should have; selfish - She has to have her way, playing Ring-around-a-rosy p.155&157

Town Party

  1. Did Laura enjoy the party? Why, or why not? Yes and no; yes because she got to play with new toys and beautiful books; no because Nellie yelled at her for almost touching her doll’s silky dress p.160

Country Party

  1. How did Laura get Nellie back? Guided her into the muddy water with the blood suckers p.174

Going to Church

  1. Pa is very kind and selfless. Give an example of a way he showed these characteristics in this chapter. Giving his hard-earned money to the church to put a bell in the belfry instead of buying himself new boots p.190

The Glittering Cloud

  1. Describe the devastation in this chapter. A giant grasshopper cloud came through the area and ate everything in sight. Because the wheat crop is eaten by the grasshoppers, Pa didn’t have wheat to sell and couldn’t pay off the house. Their friends had to move out east. p.192

Grasshopper Eggs

  1. Why did Pa leave? To go find work since the crop was eaten and the grasshoppers have laid eggs throughout the prairie. There won’t be a crop next year since there will be many more grasshoppers p.208

Rain

  1. Why was the rain such a blessing? It had been so dry that nothing new had grown since the grasshopper cloud ate everything. The cattle were starving and the water in the creek and spring was drying up p.213

The Letter

  1. What good news did Laura’s family receive? Pa was ok and found work. He walked 300 miles to find work and is getting paid a dollar a day and can buy new shoes. He also sent $5 home to them. P.226

The Darkest Hour is Just Before Dawn

  1. What does the title of this chapter mean? Things were bleak and difficult on the prairie without Pa. When things became the most difficult, Pa came home. The symbolism of this title is that at night, just before down, it feels so dark outside, but then morning comes and everything is a little better p.228

Going to Town

  1. Did Ma and Pa purchase the chalice and overcoat? No
  2. Why not? They both felt they needed to save that money since they aren’t sure what will happen next year p.243

Surprise

  1. For Christmas, everyone in town received gifts from Brother Alden’s Church members in the East. Have you ever given gifts to people you don’t know at Christmas time? How did it feel? Listen to your child’s answer

Grasshoppers Walking

  1. What strange behavior did the grasshoppers have? For three days, they started walking westward. By the fourth day, they spread their wings and flew west in the same type of cloud they arrived in. 262
  2. With your parent’s permission, do an internet search to find out if the grasshoppers’ behavior was common or was a phenomenon.

Wheels of Fire

  1. How did Mr. Nelson act like a good neighbor in this chapter? He saw the smoke and took the initiative to help put out the fire before it got to the Ingall’s home p.271

Marks on the Slate

  1. List two positives and two negatives of living on the prairie during the time Laura and her family lived. Positives: different type of freedom, simplistic life, learn to work hard, learn to be self-sufficient; negatives: Blizzards are scary; fire is a threat without fire stations; crops can be ruined due to drought and grasshoppers p.281

Keeping House

  1. Why did the girls bring in the entire wood pile? A blizzard hit and Ma and Pa were in town. The girls didn’t want to have to burn up the furniture or die from the cold p.286

Prairie Winter

  1. How did Laura’s family make it through these winter storms? There was a sunny day between each storm, so they learned to take advantage of the sunny weather and play outside, do laundry, check the traps, cut firewood, etc. p.296

The Long Blizzard

  1. What feeling do you think Ma has at the beginning of this chapter? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. What was the consequence for not listening to it? Pa is away from home when the storm comes in and they don’t know if he’s safe
  3. Have you ever had a feeling like that before? Listen to your child’s answer

The Day of Games

  1. Why did Ma play games instead of have the girls study? They were sad and worried about Pa, so she wanted to distract them p.316
  2. Why do the girls feel like they can’t cry? Back during this time in history, it isn’t appropriate for them to p.320

The Third Day

  1. Summarize this chapter. The storm went on fiercely; Ma did the chores and the girls tried to study but couldn’t; the day took a very long time to pass p.321

The Fourth Day

  1. Summarize Pa’s experience in the snow. He got lost in the storm on the way back from town and decided to keep walking since he would freeze to death if he didn’t. He fell into a hole and was protected from the storm. He fell asleep and woke up with snow over him, but he could breathe. He slept as much as he could, waiting for the storm to end. He had some crackers and Christmas candy that he ate. When he couldn’t hear the storm anymore, he crawled out of his den and saw the house not far away. It was a blessing he purchased the buffalo skin coat and wore two pairs of socks. p.326

Christmas Eve

  1. Why were Laura’s eyes shining? She was so happy she had tears in her eyes p.338

Comprehension Questions – Little House on the Prairie #1 Little House in the Big Woods

Little House in the Big Woods

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Grades 2-3; Genre - Historical Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts. 5.0

The Ingalls family is snug in their Wisconsin house in spite of blizzards, wolves, and the lonely forest.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the setting in this story. 1800’s; Wisconsin when only a few settlers had begun to develop the land
  2. Who’s the main character and her family? Laura, her older sister Mary, Carrie her younger sister, and her Ma and Pa p.2

Chapter 2

  1. List and describe the chore/day you would enjoy the best. Listen to your child’s answer p.29
  2. What’s comforting to Laura during the long cold winter? Safely being inside the cozy cabin with the fire p.38

Chapter 3

  1. Summarize this chapter. Laura and Mary helped Pa clean and load his gun; Pa told a story when he was young about how he should have listened to his father and being alone in the woods in the dark p.45

Chapter 4

  1. Compare how traveling was back in the early settler days to our day today. Early days, they traveled in sleds pulled by horses all covered in blankets and bundled up; today, we can jump in a vehicle, train, or plane and have a heater to keep us warm p.64
  2. Describe how the children made “pictures”. They’d fall from a stump and land in the snow, trying not to touch and make other prints in the snow p.65
  3. Summarize the story Uncle Peter shared and why it was so scary. Aunt Eliza wanted to go to the spring, but the dog wouldn’t let her; later they found a panther had been in the tree above the spring; the dog saved her from the panther p.68

Chapter 5

  1. Describe a Sunday for Mary and Laura and compare it to your Sunday. Mary and Laura’s-take bath Saturday night; sit quietly all day; couldn’t play with toys or each other; couldn’t sew; could look at pictures in the Bible or animal book; listen to your child’s answer p.84

Chapter 6

  1. Tell me the stories of the two bears in this chapter. 1st bear: It was dark, and Laura went to help her mother milk the cow; they thought the cow had gotten out of the barn; there was a gate, but mother couldn’t open it all the way to get to the cow, so she slapped the cow and realized it was a large bear; she and Laura hurried to the house and made it safely in; 2nd bear: Pa was coming home from town in the dark and saw a bear standing in his way off the road; Pa didn’t have his gun, so he picked up a branch and ran at the bear; when he hit the bear he realized it was just a large stump p.104

Chapter 7

  1. Explain sugar snow. It’s a spring snow that keeps the trees just cold enough to extend the the maple syrup harvest p.127

Chapter 8

  1. Was this a fun chapter to read? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 9

  1. Why hadn’t Laura known the sky was so large? She and her family lived in the woods with trees all around them, they couldn’t see the vastness of the sky p.164

Chapter 9

  1. Why is Laura jealous of Mary? Mary has golden hair, she looked good and sweet, the storekeeper commented how pretty she was, she kept her dress clean and minded her manners, her candy had a poem on it p.175

Chapter 10

  1. How did Pa get honey in this chapter? He found a bear eating honey from a tree; he chased the bear away, cut down the tree and filled all the containers he brought from home p.195

Chapter 11

  1. Can you answer Laura’s question? How is Charlie a liar? He cried out like he was in trouble three times and there wasn’t anything wrong p.211
  2. Does this remind you of another story? The boy who cried wolf

Chapter 12

  1. Summarize this chapter. Ma and Laura made hats out of straw; It was time to harvest the garden and grain; Pa convinced his neighbor to hire a threshing machine to come and separate the wheat; it took all day and the girls helped their Ma prepare dinner p.221

Chapter 13

  1. Why didn’t Pa shoot any animals when he went hunting? He was too curious watching them p.232
  2. Tell me a part of this story you really enjoyed. Why? Listen to your child’s answer 

Comprehension Questions – Sarah, Plain and Tall Series #2 Skylark

Skylark

by Patricia MacLachlan

This book mentions skinny dipping.

Grades 2-6; Genre - Fiction; GRL R; AR pts. 1.0

Maine was beautiful, but Anna missed home, and Papa. And as the weeks went by, she began to wonder what would happen if the rains never came. Would she and Caleb and Sarah and Papa ever be a family again?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe what is happening at the beginning of this book. Papa, Sarah, Anna and Caleb are getting a family picture taken; the land is in a drought; Caleb is worried Sarah’s going to leave; Papa said no matter how bad it gets they won’t ever leave p.3

Chapter 2

  1. Explain in your own words what Sarah meant on page 13. Some people can express more when they write than when they speak
  2. Do you write in a journal? What do you like to write about? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

  1. What is Sarah thinking when she sadly and thoughtfully said, “I am surrounded by motherhood”? She wants to have a baby p.16

Chapter 4

  1. Why didn’t Sarah want to read her aunt’s letter out loud? It talks of rain and green grass; Anna’s family is still in a drought and she didn’t want to make Papa feel stressed p.25

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Maggie get upset with Sarah in the store? Sarah doesn’t understand how hard it is to pack up and leave due to the drought p.31

Chapter 6

  1. What did Caleb see in the field and were they able to take care of it? A fire; yes they put it out p.35

Chapter 7

  1. What do you think Sarah day dreamed about if it’s not Maine? Having a baby p.41
  2. How does Sarah really feel about living there? She hates it p.44

Chapter 8

  1. Describe Sarah’s birthday party. The neighbors all came; there was music and dancing; lemonade and food; Anna gave Sarah a book she had written p.51

Chapter 9

  1. Why was it decided Sarah would take the children to Maine? Another fire burned down the barn and they have to travel further for water; it was getting too dangerous p.60

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize this chapter. It tells of the journey to Maine and how Sarah’s aunts showered them with love when they arrived p.62

Chapter 11

  1. Predict what you think will happen. Is Maine going to be their new home? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 12

  1. Which two birds was Sarah compared to in this chapter? Why? Skylark for singing and prairie lark that hasn’t come to earth p.80

Chapter 13

  1. Why do you think Anna wasn’t able to answer Caleb when he asked if they would see Papa again? She didn’t know if or when they would p.88

Chapter 14

  1. What good news did Papa and Sarah share in this chapter? Sarah was having a baby in the spring p.93

Chapter 15

  1. What was significant about Sarah writing her name in the dirt? It meant she was ready to come to earth and call the prairie her home p.96

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #35 Camp Time in California

Camp Time in California

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

When the magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie back in time, they land in the tallest tree in Yosemite, California where they join nature conservationist, John Muir, and US President Teddy Roosevelt on a historic trip through the woods.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where’s the setting for this story? Yosemite, a National park in California p.7

Chapter 2

  1. How did Jack and Annie learn their pencils were magic? They had to start using them p.17

Chapter 3

  1. Did Jack and Annie follow Jack’s instructions when they ran into the bear? Explain. No, they ran away from it and Jack read people shouldn’t run from bears p.25

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize this chapter. Jack and Annie meet some travelers in the forest and were invited to join them for the night p.29
  2. Is it smart for Jack and Annie to join them? Why, or why not? Yes, it’ll keep them safe p.35

Chapter 5

  1. Do you know who Teddy is? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. How did Teddy help Jack? Helped him feel like he could ride the mule p.41

Chapter 6

  1. What helped Jack enjoy his experience? Forgetting about himself p.52

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Annie upset and what helped her feel better? Finding out the oldest tree in the world was cut down; Jack took her up to the cliffs edge and looked at the stars p.59

Chapter 8

  1. Who is Teddy? Theodore Roosevelt, the President of the United States p.69
  2. Why did he go on an adventure in the Yosemite wilderness? To see the value in making it a National Park p.71

Chapter 9

  1. Explain John’s attitude of being in the wilderness. He loves it more than being inside p.78

Chapter 10

  1. What did Jack and Annie learn about drawing? Helped them understand what they drew p.90

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #33 Narwhal on a Sunny Night

Narwhal on a Sunny Night

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie to Greenland, where their mission is to save a narwhal.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What do you know about Greenland from this first chapter? It’s cold, by the Arctic Circle, can’t have a lot of grass and trees, icebergs and reindeer p.5

Chapter 2

  1. Name one fact you found interesting in this chapter. The earth is warming causing the polar caps to melt; 56,000 people live there with most of them Inuits; there are three kinds of seals and 15 kinds of whales that live there p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Why were Jack and Annie worried about the orcas swimming toward the narwhals? Orcas will kill and eat narwhals p.22

Chapter 4

  1. How did Annie convince the boy not to kill the narwhal for its horn? She told him they’re special and mysteries of nature; they know secrets humans will never know and hear things in ways we’ll never hear; they talk in a language we’ll never understand p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Describe how the kids free the narwhal? Leveraged a spear into the ice to break it p.34

Chapter 6

  1. Describe what you know about Erikson and his family. They’re seafarers; came from Iceland 8 years ago p.40

Chapter 7

  1. Describe the village Erikson lives in. His dad is the chief; long wooden house; thatched huts; barns; dogs; families live there: shocked to see Jack and Annie p.48

Chapter 8

  1. Why are Jack and Annie wanting to sneak away from Leif’s house? His family is under the impression they have a ship and want to take the entire village to see it in the morning p.62

Chapter 9

  1. What gift did Jack and Annie give Leif? Their map of Greenland p.69

Chapter 10

  1. Why do you think “thanks” is the special word Jack and Annie saw glow? Listen to your child’s answer p.79

Chapter 11

  1. Who can you thank? Make sure to write them a note or tell them! P.84

Comprehension Questions – The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

by Elizabeth George Speare

Grades 6-9; Genre - Historical Fiction; GRL W; AR pts. 9.0

Puritan neighbors regard Kit Tyler with suspicion, fear, and anger when she befriends an old woman accused of witchcraft.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where is Kit from originally and why is coming to America so strange for her? Barbados; people don’t swim; they don’t know who she is; people are critical and judge quickly and unfairly p.6
  2. In whom did Kit find a friend in this chapter? Nat at the beginning; the little girl whose doll she saved; John Holbrook p.10
  3. Define the word “heathen”. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim; an irreligious, uncultured, or uncivilized person p.11
  4. Why was John concerned for Kit at the end of the chapter? Kit is not accustomed to the culture she is entering to and he doesn’t want to see her get hurt or be judged wrongly 

Chapter 2

  1. List one character and Kit’s interactions with them on the ship. Nat couldn’t believe she jumped in the water and became angry when finding out she had slaves in Barbados; John was always surprised and seemed to have a warning voice when learning about her background; Goodwife Cruff didn’t like Kit and didn’t want her near her child; Prudence admired Kit p.16

Chapter 3

  1. Describe Kit’s family. Aunt Rachel is old and thin; Uncle Matthew is old and serious; Judith is beautiful as her mother once was; Mercy has extraordinary eyes and uses a crutch p.32
  2. Summarize Kit’s history and how she came to live with her aunt and uncle. Her grandfather was sick and an overseer ran the plantation; the overseer finished the crop and then disappeared; when her grandfather died there were debts; Kit sold the land to settle the debts; she sold her own slave for passage to America p.37

Chapter 4

  1. Why was Matthew’s reaction so shocking to Kit? She grew up with fine clothing and didn’t realize her aunt’s family felt beautiful clothing was wrong p.44
  2. Why did Kit cry on her pillow that night? She felt useless; it would have been better if she was a boy p.49

Chapter 5

  1. Describe Kit’s experience at church and why she was upset at the end of the chapter. People stare and talked about her; she was uncomfortable; she had to sit still for two hours and went numb; there was a second service in the afternoon they were going to p.53

Chapter 6

  1. Describe the altercation between the reverend and Kit’s uncle. The reverend is a loyalist and supports the king, but Uncle Matthew doesn’t p.61
  2. Why did the Reverend think that Mercy is weak and why does Kit disagree? Mercy is lame and can’t walk well, but she has an inner strength the entire family relies on p.64

Chapter 7

  1. What helped Kit enjoy Saturday evenings? William called on her each Saturday and he didn’t expect her to be useful; the prospect of marrying him p.74

Chapter 8

  1. What helped Kit better understand her uncle? Knowing that he was angry and sad all the time from losing two babies, both boys p.81

Chapter 9

  1. What was the answer Kit received from Hannah? That though she’s like the alien flower, she can grow where she’s planted; to talk to Mr. Kimberley about her mistake and the school p.97

Chapter 10

  1. How does Kit’s family feel about Hannah. She’s dangerous because she’s a Quaker p.99
  2. Who’s Hannah’s seafaring friend? Nathaniel from the ship p.106

Chapter 11

  1. What secret world did Kit pull Prudence into? Learning to read; meeting Hannah; meeting with Kit secretly p.118
  2. Do you agree Kit should have pulled Prudence into her world? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 12

  1. What awkward situation did Nat put Kit in when he walked her home? She had to tell her uncle where she was; William was jealous seeing Kit with him p.132

Chapter 13

  1. What tragic event happened in this chapter? Judith thought John wanted to court her, when in reality he was asking Matthew for permission to court Mercy; now he is courting Judith because he didn’t want to hurt her feelings p.142

Chapter 14

  1. What did Nat mean when he said, “To think I worried about that little bird. I might have known it would gobble up a nice fat partridge in no time”? The bird is Kit and he’s mocking her; he was worried about her coming to Connecticut, but she’s done well for herself in finding a wealthy young man to marry and take care of her p.151

Chapter 15

  1. Why was Kit proud of her uncle? For taking a stand in what he believed in p.163

Chapter 16

  1. What danger is Prudence in? Prudence’s mom will punish her for learning to read and for meeting with Hannah and Kit p.173
  2. Why is Judith so upset? John’s enlisted in the militia as a doctor p.176

Chapter 17

  1. Summarize this chapter. Mercy and many in the town are very sick; a crowd came wanting Matthew to help them kill Hannah, they think she’s cursing the town; Kit sneaks out, runs to Hannah and gets her away from her home; the people burn her home and look for her but can’t find her; Kit noticed the Dolphin sailing by; Nat brought Hannah and her cat to the ship; Kit returned home and Mercy’s fever broke p.177

Chapter 18

  1. Why is Kit locked up in a shed? She was accused of being a witch since she had gone to see Hannah p.200

Chapter 19

  1. What happened at the trial? Nat brought Prudence to prove that Kit wasn’t a witch p.218
  2. How did Prudence’s parents react when she told them she had been going to Hannah’s home and Kit had been teaching her to read? Her mom was angry, but her father was proud of her for learning to read

Chapter 20

  1. Describe Kit’s first winter. Harsh, cold, snowy, gray, dreary, depressing, dark p.234
  2. Who arrived at the end of the chapter and why was it so shocking? John Holbrook; he’d been taken captive by Indians; he looked gaunt and ragged; When coming in the house, he went straight to Mercy and not Judith p.238

Chapter 21

  1. Summarize the conclusion of this story. The engagement announcement of Judith and William and Mercy and John was made; Kit realized she wanted to be with Nat; Nat bought his own ship; Nat walked with Kit to get her uncle approvals to marry her

Comprehension Questions – Sarah, Plain and Tall Series #1 Sarah, Plain and Tall

Sarah, Plain and Tall

by Patricia MacLachlan

Grades 3-5; Genre - Historical Fiction; GRL R; AR pts. 1.0

In this loving story of a motherless family, a tall, plain woman comes to stay with them.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How does this story begin? Anna is telling Caleb about their mother who died the day after he was born; their pa said he put an advertisement in the paper for a wife and got a response p.3
  2. Who is telling this story? Anna

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Caleb read Sarah’s letters repeatedly? He was excited at the prospect of having a mother and liked what Sarah said p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Why does Anna think Sarah wouldn’t like living on the prairie? It’s very different than living by the ocean; dusty and dry; no ocean or beach; away from her home p.20

Chapter 4

  1. What’s the significance of the words Caleb is pointing out that Sarah is saying? Sarah is using terminology that imply she’s staying longer than a month; he’s hoping she stays and marries his pa p.24

Chapter 5

  1. How did pa help Sarah feel at home in this chapter? He gave her a dune to slide down in the barn, like the dune by the ocean p.31

Chapter 6

  1. What did Sarah teach the children in this chapter? How to swim p.36
  2. Is Sarah being a good mother to them? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer. 

Chapter 7

  1. Give two examples of how Maggie is a good friend to Sarah. She helped Sarah know that she wasn’t alone; brought her flowers to plant and chickens to eat; helped her understand she needed to learn to drive a wagon p.40

Chapter 8

  1. What type of storm did the family experience in this chapter? A tornado p.47
  2. Why were the children happy when they saw their father hold Sarah like he had their mother? Their father was beginning to show love to Sarah; they wanted her to be their mom p.49

Chapter 9

  1. Why was Caleb so bothered that Sarah wanted to go into town by herself? He was worried she’d leave them and not come back p.52
  2. How does this story end? Sarah went to town and came back with three colored pencils, candles, flower seeds, and a book of songs to teach them; she marries their father p.57