As a literature-leaning homeschool family, we have seen many literature guides. After our introduction to Progeny Press via the Schoolhouse Review Crew a few years ago (and another review opportunity last year), they are my first pick when looking for a study guide for a literature selection. They have guides available for all ages and numerous titles from a Christian perspective. This review period with Progeny Press, we have been reading and working through the e-guide for The Courage of Sarah Noble ($11.99) with our younger learners. The older girls have been working on the e-guide for Anne of Green Gables ($18.99).
My younger learners have thoroughly enjoyed listening to Mama read The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh. You can buy your own copy (Progeny Press has this title available) or borrow it from the library like we did. Upon learning that this is based upon a true story, they were even more invested in the outcome of Sarah’s story. It didn’t hurt to have the main character sharing the name of our six year old daughter. With all Progeny Press study guides, a synopsis and before/during reading activities or discussion are included. We talked our way through these. I though that might be our first day. My two learners (K and 2nd grade currently) were eager to get into the book though. We went ahead and read the first two chapters.
The study guide for this selection is set up to cover two chapters at a time (except the end which covers the last 3 in one lesson). Upon reading those chapters, I would pull out the corresponding pages I had already printed. At first, the children wanted me to do the writing, but they warmed up to doing some of their own before long. This selection is recommended for 1st thru 3rd graders. The story and the study guide were a perfect fit for my children. They were learning how to look up the vocabulary words in the dictionary – and writing the definitions down. The questions we discussed orally. Sometimes, the discussions would pop-up again during dinner with Daddy (I loved that!). The real proof that they are enjoying it though is when they play it. Of course our daughter was Sarah – complete with a red cape. This is the first time I’ve used a study guide like this with my younger learners. We’ll definitely be doing more — and Progeny Press has several to choose from.
My older girls have taken this on without me. The eldest daughter has been a longtime fan of all of the Anne stories. The other two, rising 5th and 6th graders, had not yet read Anne of Green Gables. This was perfect for them to work together on. The opted to not print but rather take advantage of the type-it in option. We left the original file blank. The file the girls were working in was renamed and they opened/saved to that one each time they worked. We are finding we really like interactive files like this. With our Mac, I had to be sure to set the file up so it opens in Adobe reader (the latest version) rather than Preview. Once that has been done, we had no technical glitches at all – super easy!
Because all three girls (current 4th, 5th and 7th graders) were working on this together, they opted to use the audio book we have downloaded from Librivox. They had to be careful to stop when needed to complete that section of the study guide before moving on in the story. The study guide covers anywhere from four to eight chapters at a time. When the girls saw some of those sections covering more chapters, they were afraid it would be too much work. Their worries were unfounded though. They were always wanting to listen (read) ahead.
There are 5 sections: Vocabulary, Questions, Thinking About the Story, Dig Deeper and Optional Activities. In some of the vocabulary sections, the word is presented in context from the story. First, the definition as determined from the story is written, then they look it up in the dictionary. It was interesting for them to see where they differed. Other sections were finding synonyms. The question section is mostly comprehension. The Thinking About the Story and Dig Deeper sections are where the Progeny Press study guides stand out. This is where scripture is brought in, and deeper thinking is required. I loved listening in as the girls worked through these sections. It was very reassuring to this mama to hear them actually thinking and “getting it” when they often seem more interested in lighter and less important things (you know, behaving like perfectly normal girls of their age *grin*).
They would typically cover the reading (or in our case, listening) and vocabulary on day one. The next day would cover the question section and all or most of the Thinking About the Story section. The third day was for digging deeper and the optional activities. The optional activities were presented as a choice of 3 or 4 possibilities. There seemed to be a writing and hands-on option for each lesson. I let the girls choose what they wanted, but did require they choose something. If the hands-on selection was something to work together on (like a picnic!), then I did require they choose an additional item to work on independently. The rest of the study guide was completed as a group, with the girls dividing up the type-it in responses. This pace made for long days. We didn’t have much other work, so this worked fine. During a more heavy school-work load, we would probably stick with the recommended page per day for the lessons.
There are so many selections from Progeny Press, for younger learners through high school age. The recommended ages is not necessarily reflective of the reading level, but of the work done in the study guide – that is especially important for learners like my daughter with dyslexia. She has been able to work at her grade level even though her reading level is lower. You can purchase Progeny Press Study Guides in different formats. We have been working with their e-guides. These are downloadable pdfs. For the older grades, there is an answer key which is in a separate file. The physical copies are available as a printed book or a CD and are shipped to you. As expected, the physical guides run a little more than the e-guides. The prices vary by guide, so be sure to check each title for the correct pricing.