Review: Progeny Press Literature Study Guides



Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.




I have used Progeny Press Study Guides for Literature from a Christian Perspective in the past, and I was excited to review the  Little Women Study Guide this month. What I love about Progeny Press guides is that they allow you to study classic literature from a Christian perspective. As a Christian homeschooling educator, that is so important in this day in age as we prepare our students with a solid foundation before they go off into the world. 

 

Progeny Press study guides are thorough. I would recommend only doing a few each year. They go deep and take some time to complete (8-10 weeks). I would not use one for every book you read this year. You want your students to enjoy literature. Don’t kill the joy by doing too much.


 



I received the pdf downloaded version of the guide and the teacher's edition. What I like about this option vs the print version is that I can give the file to my student on their device and they can fill in the pdf with their answers as there are digital answer boxes for them to type inside of. This works well for students with dysgraphia or poor penmanship. At the end, you can print it out and have a nice copy of all their written work.

 

These study guides are great because they have everything you need to study a book. So many times I have had to spend a lot of time and energy in putting something together myself as we prepare to study a book, but these guides make it so much easier. It includes a synopsis, information on the author with internet links for more research, historical context on the historical period and on the literary period, pre-reading activities and then it takes you into chapter by chapter assignments. 



There are vocabulary studies for each set of chapters (for instance, chapters 1-4). Then there are some basic questions. For example, “Why is Mr. March away from home? What is his job? Explain. The other questions are more Why and Explain types of questions, not the very basic ‘what happened’ types of questions. This guide is for high school; therefore, the questions are of a higher thinking level.


The guide also includes in-depth questions that are more essay style and even sections of literary analysis. In the Little Women study, they are learning about simile/metaphor, allusions, anthropomorphism, etc. They will learn about transcendentalism and other items specific to reading this time period. And intertwined in these questions are Biblical connections and Bible verses to look up and apply to what they are reading. This is so important to our kids as they are growing up and reading these pieces of literature. 

After each section of chapters, there are additional activities. These are lots of fun! For example, there are several recipes included. So, you can make buckwheat pancakes like the March girls had on Christmas. There are art projects and natural science activities, as well as, group discussion and field trip ideas. There are so many options that your students will definitely find something that they want to do to extend the learning. My teen boys even had fun cooking!



The cons of using these guides are that there is just so much included. It could be overwhelming to some moms and students. My son #1 is dysgraphic and dyslexic. So, I often will go through and do some of the questions orally or I will type answers for him. Also, be free in choosing to just assign certain questions to answer. You don’t have to do it all. Pick and choose what works for your family and your student.


The Progeny Press study guides are a great way to study classic literature in a home or class environment. I have spoken with so many homeschool moms who are worried about being able to teach literature to their high school students especially as it comes to literary analysis. These guides make it very easy. It is all in the guide at your fingertips. And the guides are also fun to do especially when including any of the optional activities to make the book come to life. I definitely recommend these guides. Both of my boys have thoroughly enjoyed them. 

Check out the Progeny Press study guide on Little Women.

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