Home About Cathy Duffy Contact Us
Great Book Reviews
(other than homeschooling)
Updates for
100 Top Picks
ArticlesSubmit Products
for Review
Ordering

The Prairie Primer

Publisher: Cadron Creek Christian Curriculum
Author: Margie Gray
Review last updated: 2009
Instant KeyPublishers InfoPricing

The Prairie Primer

Primer might be slightly misleading in the title, since this volume is more similar to a KONOS or Weaver volume than any primer I have seen. It differs in that it is more of a do-it-yourself unit-study approach than the aforementioned programs. (It reminds me somewhat of the original KONOS volume that was a fraction as big as the present volume.)

The Prairie Primer is one large, plastic-spiral-bound volume that accompanies the nine books in the Little House series. Each Little House book has one unit in The Primer, and it should take from one to two months to complete each. The learning level encompasses grades three through six, covering “...U.S. History in the 1800's, U.S. geography, science, language, practical living, health and safety, nutrition, music, and art. With the exception of a grammar, spelling and math program, The Primer is a well-rounded scholastic program” (quote from the Introduction). Specific topics covered within the curriculum are listed under subject area headings for all but writing and grammar, for which scope and sequence suggestions are broken down by grade levels.

Aside from the Little House books, The Primer and the Bible are the primary resources, but you also need reference resources (encyclopedia and library access). Daily lesson plans provide comprehension questions related to reading from the Little House book. Activity suggestions follow next to subject area headings. In most cases the activity is outlined in general rather than in detail. For example, study bears and their hibernation patterns, habitats, and food; write a report on what you have learned. Since a number of the activities listed for any single day might be as involved as this example, you must pick a reasonable number of activities to accomplish rather than attempting to do them all. A planning guide at the beginning of each week's lessons lists topics for which you will need information, suggested reference resources for some of them, items needed, and field trip ideas. Space for your own planning notes is allowed. Although lesson plans are listed for each day, it might be more realistic to take two days for each so that you can fully develop some of the suggestions.

Scripture readings and principles are strongly integrated throughout the curriculum. At the end of the book are an appendix on motivational gifts and a list of resource sources.

The Prairie Primer could be overwhelming for the new home educator, but veterans who already know how they like to present lessons should appreciate the wealth of ideas assembled in this volume. (The publisher tells me they have gotten positive feedback from first-time homeschoolers using The Prairie Primer, as well as comments from veterans who found it less overwhelming than other unit studies.) The fact that the cost is significantly less than the other major unit studies is likely to give it extra appeal.

The publisher sells the Primer by itself, but they also sell packages that include helpful extras such as the books Laura Ingalls Wilder Country and The Little House Cookbook. Check the website for sample pages from The Prairie Primer and information on packages.

Pricing

The Prairie Primer: A Literature Based Unit Study Utilizing the Little House Ser

The Prairie Primer: A Literature Based Unit Study Utilizing the Little House Ser

Paperback,Margie Gray

The Prairie Primer: Literature Based Unit Studies Utilizing the "Little House" Series

The Prairie Primer: Literature Based Unit Studies Utilizing the "Little House" Series

Paperback,Margie Gray

Instant Key

  • Learning Styles: All depending upon how you flesh out the lessons
    Suitable for: 
    one-on-one or group
    Audience age:
    grades 3-6
    Need for parent/teacher instruction: 
    moderate to high
    Prep time needed:
    high
    Need for Teacher's Manual: each volume is your manual
    Educational Approach: unit study that can be tailored to various educational approaches
    Religious perspective:
    Christian

Publisher's Info

Cadron Creek Christian Curriculum

4329 Pinos Altos Rd.
Silver City, NM 88061

(505) 534-1496
(505) 534-1499 FAX
e-mail: marigold@gilanet.com
www.cadroncreek.com