Our love of literature is not top secret information. All the members of our home, young and old, enjoy a good read. From the rhyming, soothing lines of Goodnight Moon to the world of Austen, a book is always found and enjoyed. Amidst all this reading, it is important to sometimes dig a bit deeper into our literature and really look at it from a Christian perspective.
I have been interested in Progeny Press for a few years but always talked myself out of giving them a try. What a pleasure it was to have the opportunity to review one of their literature study guides: Across Five Aprils – study guide for grades 5-9.
Progeny Press is a family owned company. While homeschooling their own children, the Gilleland, saw a need for literature study guides that taught children to take the cultural relevance and put it with Biblical truths. It is a valuable skill to be able to break down what you read and test it against Scripture as you learn about the world around you.
To use the Progeny Press study guide, all the student needs is the work of literature, a dictionary, thesaurus and her Bible. The NIV is the translation used in the study guides; but it works well with other translations. The internet can be a valuable tool as well if you are comfortable with allowing your child access.
The middle and high school study guides take about eight weeks to complete. The study guides are very complete. Pre-reading and post-reading activities are given. Most selections have an overview that works well as a test. Essay and writing suggestions are provided. Your student will cover questions on what is happening in the story, vocabulary, etc. However there are questions that help the student to dig deeper into the story and get beyond the surface. Throughout the guide, the Bible is used to help keep us focused on Christian perspective.
We were able to review the Across Five Aprils – Interactive Format. The Interactive format is an upgrade to the pdf download. While the file can still be printed, it gives the option of the student typing directly onto the computer and saving her work in progress. This is a wonderful option that works well for the family on a tight budget or with more than one child using the guide. I am normally one who loves a print copy. However, with a tight budget and two students working through this guide, the interactive format was a blessing!
Take a peek inside the Across Five Aprils Study Guide! Also test out the interactive study guide!
Our Thoughts:
Both of my girls had read Across Five Aprils before and were not exactly thrilled about working through the study guide. However, they are getting a better understanding of the story this time. And a better appreciation of it as well. Just in the first couple of weeks, the information they had learned about the Missouri/Kansas Compromise was referenced in other literature. Our discussion of another book went to a deeper level because of what they have learned from the Progeny Press study guide.
I appreciated the thoroughness and variety of the guide. It was well thought out and didn’t just cover the basics. We are looking forward to using more of the study guides. One daughter would love to get her hands on the Pride and Prejudice guide. With guides from Kindergarten to High School, everyone can dig a little deeper!
Pricing:
Across Five Aprils Study Guide:
Grades 5-9
Booklet: $18.99
CD: $16.99
CD + Booklet: $23.99
PDF (email download): $16.99
Progeny Press has 107 study guides available this year. Take a moment to browse around and find a guide to enhance your homeschool!
Other Progeny Press guides were used by other Crew Members…be sure to stop by and see what others are saying.
**Disclaimer: As a member of TOS Review Crew, I received a complimentary copy of this product for review. No compensation was made.