On the Banks
Of Plum Creek
By
Laura Ingalls Wilder
A Novel Study
by Nat Reed
1
On the Banks of Plum Creek
By Laura Ingalls Wilder
Table of Contents
Suggestions and Expectations 3
List of Skills 4
Synopsis / Author Biography 5
Student Checklist 6
Reproducible Student Booklet 7
Answer Key 77
About the author: Nat Reed was a member of the teaching profession for more than 35
years. He was a full-time instructor at Trent University in the Teacher Education Program
for nine years. For more information on his work and literature, visit novelstudies.org.
Copyright © 2020 Nat Reed
Revisions Completed in 2021
All rights reserved by author.
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Electronic distribution limited to single classroom use only.
Not for public display.
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On the Banks of Plum Creek
By Laura Ingalls Wilder
Suggestions and Expectations
This curriculum unit can be used in a variety of ways. Each chapter of the novel study
focuses on 4 chapters of On the Banks of Plum Creek and is comprised of the following:
1. Before You Read
2. Vocabulary Building
3. Comprehension Questions
4. Language and Extension Activities
A portfolio cover (page 7) as well as a Checklist (page 6) are included so that students may
keep track of their completed work.
Every activity need not be completed by all students.
Links with the Common Core Standards (U.S.)
Many of the activities included in this curriculum unit are supported by the Common Core
Standards. For instance the Reading Standards for Literature, Grade 5, makes reference to:
a) determining the meaning of words and phrases. . . including figurative language;
b) explaining how a series of chapters fits together to provide the overall structure;
c) compare and contrast two characters;
d) determine how characters … respond to challenges;
e) drawing inferences from the text;
f) determining a theme of a story . . . and many others.
Themes which may be taught in conjunction with the novel include pioneer living in the
American West, blizzards, grasshoppers and prairie fires, the importance of family and
community, courage and sacrifice, friendship, personal growth and perseverance.
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On the Banks of Plum Creek
By Laura Ingalls Wilder
List of Skills
Vocabulary Development
1. Locating descriptive words/phrases 7. Identify anagrams
2. Listing synonyms/homophones 8. Listing compound words
3. Identifying/creating alliteration 9. Identifying parts of speech
4. Use of capitals and punctuation 10. Identify/create similes
5. Identifying syllables 11. Identification of root words
6. Identify personification.
Setting Activities
1. Summarize the details of a setting
Plot Activities
1. Complete a time line of events 4. Identify cliffhangers
2. Identify conflict in the story 5. Identify the climax of the novel.
3. Complete Five W's Chart 6. Complete a Story Pyramid
Character Activities
1. Determine character traits 3. Relating personal experiences
2. Identify the protagonist/antagonist 4. Compare characters
Creative and Critical Thinking
1. Research 6. Write about personal feelings
2. Write a newspaper story 7. Write a book review
3. Participate in a talk show 8. Complete an Observation Chart
4. Conduct an interview 9. Complete a KWS Chart
5. Create a poem
Art Activities
1. A Storyboard 3. Design a cover for the novel
2. Create a collage 4. Create a comic strip
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On the Banks of Plum Creek
By Laura Ingalls Wilder
Synopsis
The adventures of Laura Ingalls and her family continue as they leave their little house on
the prairie and travel in their covered wagon to Minnesota. They settle into a house made of
sod on the banks of beautiful Plum Creek. Soon Pa builds them a sturdier house, with real
glass windows and a hinged door. Laura and Mary go to school, help with the chores around
the house, and fish in the creek. Pa’s fiddle lulls them all to sleep at the end of the day. But
then disaster strikes—on top of a terrible blizzard, a grasshopper infestation devours their
wheat crop. Now the family must work harder than ever to overcome these challenges.
Author Biography
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Ingalls Wilder was born February 7, 1867, in Pepin,
Wisconsin, the second of four children. She once described
her father, Charles Philip Ingalls, as always jolly and sometimes
reckless. Her mother, Caroline Lake Quiner, was educated,
gentle and proud, according to her daughter. Her sisters were
Mary, Carrie, and Grace. Laura also had a younger brother,
Charles, Jr. who died at the age of only nine months. As a
young girl, Laura moved with her family from place to place.
In 1874, the Ingalls family left Wisconsin for Walnut Grove,
Minnesota, where they lived at first in a dugout house.
The family finally settled in what would become De Smet, South Dakota, which
remained Charles and Caroline's home until they died. Laura attended regular school
whenever possible. However, because of her family's frequent moves, she was largely
self-taught. In 1882, at the age of fifteen, she received her teaching certificate. For
three years, Laura taught at a small country school a dozen miles from her home in De
Smet. In 1885 she married a local farmer, Almanzo Manly Wilder. The couple's only
surviving child, Rose, was born in 1886. In1894 the Wilders moved to Mansfield,
Missouri, which they would call home for the rest of their lives. Here she sent her
account of their travels to the De Smet News. This was her first published writing. In
1932, at the age of sixty-five, Wilder published the first of her eight "Little House"
books, Little House in the Big Woods, which was a huge hit with readers. Wilder was
seventy-six years old when she finished the final book in her "Little House" series. Her
husband, Manly, died in 1949 at the age of ninety-two. Wilder was ninety when she
died at Rocky Ridge Farm on February 10, 1957. (Courtesy of novelbiographies.com)
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On the Banks of Plum Creek
By Laura Ingalls Wilder
Student Checklist
Student Name
Assignment Grade/Level Comments
6
On The Banks of Plum Creek
By Laura Ingalls Wilder
Name:
7
On the Banks of Plum Creek
By Laura Ingalls Wilder
Chapters 1-4
Before you read the chapters:
The protagonist in most novels features the main character or “good guy”. The main
character of On the Banks of Plum Creek is seven year old Laura Ingalls, whose family has just
moved to Minnesota in a covered wagon in the year 1875. Think back on some of your
favorite characters from past novels you have read or movies you’ve seen. Who would you
say is your most favorite character ever? What made you select this character?
Vocabulary:
Choose a word from the list to complete each sentence.
slunk thickets rushes (noun) picket
mustang smart (verb) pint contend
1. It took almost and hour for Charles to lead the frightened ___________ into the corral.
2. A prairie homesteader had to ______________ with draught and plagues of insects.
3. We waded into the creek and began to collect ______________ for our art project.
4. It was difficult to pick wild raspberries because of all the _________ surrounding them.
5. Her finger began to _____________ after being pricked by the thorn.
6. The two dogs ____________ away from the turmoil and disappeared under the house.
7. She poured about a ______________ of water into the canteen.
8. Be sure you _______________ the horses for the night or they will wander off.
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Questions
1. Describe the setting of the story at the beginning of Chapter One.
2. There are many unusual expressions in this novel. Put the following sayings in your
own words. (You may have to check the context first.)
Laura jumped out of her
skin(Chapter One)
The water was talking to itself
(Chapter One)
On top of the water the water-
bugs skated. (Chapter 3)
3. What had Pa traded for Mr. Hansen's crops and oxen?
4. Answer True or False:
a) Pa told Ma that after he harvested the first wheat crop he would True or False
build her a fine house.
b) Pa was sorry to have traded Pet and Patty, for they could have True or False
helped with the plowing.
c) Ma didn't like the idea of sleeping on the floor of a house. True or False
5. Describe three things about the description of their dugout home that stood out for
you.
1
2
3
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6. Why do you think that Hansen built his stable of sod instead of logs?
7. What wouldn't you have enjoyed about living in a dugout like the Ingalls family?
What do you think might have been fun?
8. We will discover as we continue to read this novel that the Ingalls family is quite
prejudiced with regard to the indigenous people of that area. Find proof of that from
this section. Why might the Ingalls have felt this way at this time?
9. Why did Pa tell the girls that they must never go upstream beyond the little willow
valley?
10.Describe what Pa did when Laura was in the pool to teach her a lesson.
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Language Activities
A. Oxen
Pa is really counting on the two oxen he got from Mr. Hansen to help
him plow the fields so he can bring in a great crop of wheat. What do
you know about these magnificent beasts? Did you know, for instance,
that oxen are very loyal animals that usually won't shy away from even
the most demanding task? Did you know that they are usually stronger
than a horse? Using resources in your school library or on the Internet,
record three additional facts about this mammal in the space below.
1
2
3
B. Anagrams
An anagram is a word that is formed by changing the order of the letters
of another word. For example, the letters in the word WAS can also form
the word SAW. Follow these directions to form the anagrams:
a) read the clue in the right-hand column.
b) Using the word in the left-hand column move the letters around in any order, but you
must use all the letters. All of the words in the left-hand column can be found in the first
four chapters of On the Banks of Plum Creek.
Word Anagram Clue
stable On which a meal is spread.
ropes Not poetry.
rushes Usually seen at a wedding.
slope Used to propel a raft.
spread Her feelings were _____ from being hurt.
stove One does this during an election.
slender Banks are ____.
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C. A Quatrain Poem Celebrates Robots.
The quatrain is a popular form of rhymed verse. It is a poem of four lines, is usually light and
can be humorous. The following quatrain is the first four lines of the famous poem, My Ox,
written by the renowned poet, Atrocious Halitosis.
My ox he lives out back my house
He cranky as can be.
No one dare get close to him,
'Cause he got a million fleas.
Various rhyming schemes make up a quatrain poem. As you can see, the above four lines
have a rhyming scheme of A – B – C – B Other rhyming schemes include: ABAB, AAAA,
AABA, ABBA, ABBB, and AAAB.
Your task is to write your own quatrain poem. You may choose a rhyming scheme that fits
with your own personal creation. The theme should have something to do with the themes
established in the first four chapters of our novel (like mustangs, dugouts or swimming holes).
The Quatrain Poem
Now create your own Quatrain Poem. Your poem must follow the format of a quatrain
poem described above (and must rhyme).
Title: _______________________________________________
Bonus Question.
In the above poem why do you think the poet chose to skip the odd word (i.e. back my
house, instead of back of my house?)
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D. Cliffhanger
Chapter Three contains an important literary device called a cliffhanger. A
cliffhanger usually occurs at the end of a chapter when the author leaves the
reader in suspense. How is this true in Chapter 3? Why do you think the
author ended the chapter this way?
E. A simile is a comparison using the words “like” or “as”. An example from Chapter Three
is: . . . three velvet petals that curved down like a lady's dress over hoops.
What is being compared in this example?
Invent your own similes comparing the following items with something from your own
imagination:
a) the sound of an angry mule
b) the flight of a bumble bee
c) your choice
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F. 5 Ws and an H.
Choose an event from this section that you thought was really important and/or exciting.
Using facts that you gleaned from reading about this event, fill in the balloons below,
summarizing what you learned.
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WHO?
WHAT?
WHEN?
WHERE?
WHY?
HOW?
Extension Activity
Storyboard
A storyboard is a series of pictures that tell about an important event in a story. A story-
board can tell the story of only one scene – or the entire novel. Complete the story-board
below illustrating the events described in the first four chapters of our novel. You may wish
to practice your drawings on a separate piece of paper.
1 2
3 4
5 6
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