Chapter 4

Guiding Questions

• How did Laura's family's preparations for Christmas differ from traditions today? How are they similar?
• Why did Aunt Eliza's dog, Prince, growl and snap at her?

Figurative Language

What forms of figurative language are found in the following passage? How do they help you imagine icicles?

• Icicles hung from the eaves of the house to the snowbanks, great icicles as large at the top as Laura's arm. They were like glass and full of sharp lights.

What forms of figurative language are found in this passage? How do they help you picture Pa?

• Pa's breath hung in the air like smoke, when he came along the path from the barn. He breathed out in clouds and it froze in white frost on his mustache and beard.

Vocabulary

Explore chapter vocabulary with the visual dictionary.

Extensions

• Watch this video (1:02) to see how a goat is whittled.
• Whittle a shape from a bar of soap using a plastic knife.
• Find a recipe for maple candy and make some.
• Watch this video (0:35) to see a bobsled pulled by a horse.
• Research pioneer Christmas traditions. Create a pamphlet to share these traditions with others.