1. Engage in a conversation with an elderly individual from your family or neighborhood about their childhood experiences. Discuss the games they played or the work they did. Alternatively, ask them to share a childhood story. Write a report or narrative based on what you learned from the interview.

2. Compose a diary entry that Laura might have written on a significant day if she had been old enough to do so. For instance, what would she have documented after visiting town, attending the dance at Grandpa's, or arguing with Mary? You could also write a diary entry from the perspective of Ma, Pa, or Mary.

3. Imagine Laura describing how she and her sisters and cousins entertain themselves in the Little House. Try composing a letter or story to Laura, explaining how you have fun. Keep in mind that Laura lived a long time ago, so you may need to explain some things in detail.

4. Pretend that fifty or sixty years have passed, and you are now a parent or grandparent sharing a childhood story with children. How would you begin your tale? What details would you need to clarify? Plan and narrate your story.

5. Select a favorite scene from the book and transform it into a short play. Collaborate with two or three classmates to act out the scene for your class.

6. Laura Ingalls was born in 1867, so when she celebrates her birthday in the book, it is 1872. Research what was happening in America during that time. If Pa had brought home a newspaper from town, what might he have read? Create a newspaper page featuring a national news story, one or two local stories, possibly some recipes or instructions for making useful household items, perhaps a few games or illustrations, and some birth and marriage announcements.

7. Garth Williams illustrated Little House in the Big Woods, but before he drew any pictures, he meticulously read the book and studied Laura's life. Select a scene or character from the book, read the description attentively, and create your own illustration—something unique yet faithful to the book.