A new teacher is brought in to handle the bigger/older kids coming to class during the non-harvest season. And while his new rules to bring order into the classroom are pretty standard, his personality/attitude/character could use some practice.  Unfortunately, Laura is on the receiving end of almost every single punishment being dished out. And once again an emergency school board meeting is called to order.   With all this extra writing on the blackboard, Laura's spelling must be improving?  Exactly how old is Herman Stone?  Where did Miss Beadle go on her administrative leave?

Despite nearly burning the barn down with some pyrotechnics supplied by Wilie Oleson, Carl Sanderson along with Laura and Mary head to Springfield with Charles and Mr. Edwards to see a train.   And what an experience!  Inside a caboose unlinked from the rest of the train, this trio is on a downhill course and gaining momentum.  Communications are down at the end of the line which just happens to have a train leaving the station heading straight towards the oncoming caboose.  P.S. the President of the railroad is on this train. . After previously being struck by lightning and now this, will Laura reconsider ever doing extra credit work? Should we be worried about Carl Sanderson? Does this caboose have a bathroom on it? 

According to Caroline, it's just a scratch and some ruined stockings...nothing to be concerned about. And so begins Caroline's descent into an infection fever induced madness weekend that has her doing whatever she needs to do to survive. Will Caroline find the will to see her family again? What other Horror movie tropes do you notice in this episode?  Now that we can finally understand Carrie....will she be getting more lines? 

It's official, Mary is a Mathlete and Caroline will be a chaperone on a trip to Minneapolis to partake in a Mathematics Championship.   Even though she is happy/excited for her sister....Laura is having to deal with a case of the Green Jellies:  Her feelings of jealousy towards Mary's achievements. However, Charles decides it is time to let Half-Pint Level-up, help more around the house, and give her some much needed attention.  These two sisters are stepping into unfamiliar territory.  Will Mary's nerves get the best of her during this trip and test?  Why does Laura feel she has to always compare herself to her sister and mother?  How much weight did Charles actually put on while Caroline was away?

Laura and Nellie have come to a crossroad in their relationship when both of them have eyes for the new boy at school, Jason. Jason loves science, technology, and flying kites in the rain. However, Laura is in for a shock when Nellie reveals that she has her own copy of the newest and latest technological discovery. But it's what Nellie does with the latest technology that gets everyone's attention.  Will Laura just sit back and Listen?  Will Nellie Oleson finally take it one step too far? Did Mary really deliver an eye roll to Laura at the dinner table?       

Back at the Sanderson Estate, things seem to be moving forward for the new blended family.  Everything except the close relationship between Mr. Edwards and the eldest Sanderson Sibling: John Junior. The two of them don't seem to know how to communicate with one another. When circumstances lead to Mr. Edwards getting gravely wounded, John Jr. then has an identity crisis. Will John Jr.  prove to Mr. Edwards he is more than just a boy with his nose in a book?  Will another secret from Mr. Edwards past come back to haunt him?  Do they both realize that Minnesota is Bear Country?

The time is approaching to celebrate Reverend Alden's birthday and the Sunday school kids have collected funds to get him something extra special. While thumbing thought the mail order catalog, Laura comes across an idea... to increase the funds to get a possible better present. And somehow she connives Big Sister Mary, against her wishes, to go along with this scheme/plan. But, after Five weeks and nothing to show for it, not even a birthday present for Reverend Alden, the only thing the Ingalls girls can do is confess. Will the girls encounter any potential customers? Why is Doc Baker still in business when it seems all the residents of Walnut Grove are never sick? And why do I feel as thought I just watched a repeat/remake/reboot of last week's episode?

While out fishing, something shiny in the water catches Laura's eye and enlisting the help of a school friend, Jonah, she believes they might have struck it rich. With a bunch of hardwork needed to be done, as well as avoid letting their secret slip to Nellie and Willie Oleson, these two are getting into the Miner spirit. However, when all is said and done, a visit to the Bank gives them less than what they expected. What are a couple of gold diggers suppose to do?  Can you really wear White on the Prairie after Labor Day? How fast do you need to run to bust through a screen door?  

Julia Sanderson finds herself in a predicament when she receives the news she has terminal cancer...while also being the mother of three. And the first person she tells is Charles Ingalls.  Without a solution coming to fruition before she passes, Charles is set to task to find a new home for the Sanderson Siblings.  With time running out to find a permanent home for the children, without splitting them up, Charles is at his wit's end. The decision is even starting to put a strain on his relationship with his best friend, Mr. Edwards, and also with Laura.   Will Mr. Edwards take matters into his own hands?  Will the girls find homes for all the puppies?  Is it really Thanksgiving?    

The assignment from school is to gather leaves of the local flora.  Laura and Mary announce their family's planned camping vacation into the "hills" of Minnesota with hope of finding extra special leaves. However, leave it to Harriett, Nellie and Willie (against the opinion of Mr. Oleson) to find a means of turning a short two day hiking/camping/gathering trip into a one-of-a kind adventure. It's like Town Party, Country Party in the great outdoors....only this time there is a river and not a pond to fall in to.  Who will get the most leaves for the the school project?  Why are there Snow Capped mountains on the Prairie?  And which of our campers is a true Wilderness girl?