"Once upon a time, sixty years ago, a little girl lived in the Big woods of Wisconsin, in a little grey house made of logs." So begins the adventures and trials of Laura Ingalls Wilder. And although the books don't end with "And they lived happily ever after," they are full of happiness and joy.

Many homeschool parents use these books at some point in their children's education. Why? Because there is truly nothing else like them. The books teach love, strength, and security in the family unit. Mrs. Wilder writes of the value of a good education and survival as an individual rather than dependence on others. The Little House books develop a joy of sharing, cooperating, and giving of one's self. The books also give the hope that things will be better soon, even if they are not good now. And one of the best lessons the books give: a person can be happy while living a simple life, thankful for what they have.

The Little House books are also great for teaching:

Social Studies - The books detail homelife, songs, meals, building houses and railroads, making dolls, and more during the late 1800's. During this time there were major social changes, such as child labor and the treatment of blacks and immigrants.

History - The books were written during the time of the Battle of Little Big Horn, the first transcontinental railroad, and the assasination of president Garfield.

Science and Math - The Little House books are a great source of science and math, primarily for the many recipes like Johnny Cakes, maple candy, and homemade cheese. But also through the major strides made by science, such as the invention of the telephone, the phonograph, and the first electric lights in New York.

Geography - The Little House books cover the states of Iowa, Wisconsin, New York, South Dakota, Kansas, and Missourri in detail, as well as many cities and towns. As Easy Fun School puts it, "Geography can... help us to see the logic in things like immigration/emigration, population growth, origins of cultural components, etc."

Language Arts - The Little House books are written in a clear, easy language; perfect for teaching young ones to read, and for older ones to read aloud. The simple sentences are great for copywork, and can teach proper grammar and punctuation. Spelling lists are easily created from the names of places, things, and people of the time the books cover.

Although there are many books that cover the same era Little House books were written in, no other book captures life for children and young adults during this time period as beautifully. Children, adults, boys and girls enjoy these descriptive books as a source of learning and entertainment. You and your children may too.

There are places you can visit to learn more about the Ingalls and Wilder families.
The Detroit public Library
De Smet, South Dakota
Independence, Kansas
Pepin, Wisconsin
Mansfield, Missouri
Walnut Grove, Minnesota
Spring Valley, Minnesota
Burr Oak, Iowa
Burke, New York

There are many curriculums based on the Little House books. Free curriculums include:
Herbert Hoover Library provides teaching units and activites.
AskERIC has lesson plan.
Education World provides activites for the Little House series, as well as others.
Little House Activities contains great activites like grinding wheat and churning butter. The rest of this site is equally informative.
Harper Collins Publishers publishers of the Little House books provide excellent teacher resources.
Easy Fun School has an excellent time line for history to incorporate into lessons.

You can also do a search for Little House Curriculum on the Internet.