Book Review: Christian Guides to the Classics, The Scarlet Letter {Crossway}

Christian Guides to the Classics, Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter by Leland Ryken
ISBN: 978-1-4335-2608-4
Paperback, 80 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Retail: $5.99
Age/Grade: high school and up

About the study guide (from Crossway):
We’ve all heard about the classics and assume they’re great. Some of us have even read them on our own. But for those of us who remain a bit intimidated or simply want to get more out of our reading, Crossway’s Christian Guides to the Classics are here to help.

In these short guidebooks, popular professor, author, and literary expert Leland Ryken takes you through some of the greatest literature in history while answering your questions along the way.
Each book:

• Includes an introduction to the author and work
• Explains the cultural context
• Incorporates published criticism
• Contains discussion questions at the end of each unit of the text
• Defines key literary terms
• Lists resources for further study
• Evaluates the classic text from a Christian worldview

This guide opens up the signature book of American literature, Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter, and unpacks its universal themes of sin, guilt, and redemption.

Read an excerpt (and/or buy the book) here: http://www.crossway.org/books/hawthornes-ithe-scarlet-letteri-tpb/


About the author (from Crossway):
Leland Ryken (PhD, University of Oregon) served as professor of English at Wheaton College for over 43 years. He has authored or edited over three dozen books, including The Word of God in English and The Complete Literary Guide to the Bible. He is a frequent speaker at the Evangelical Theological Society and served as literary stylist for the English Standard Version Bible.

My thoughts:

Simply: small book, good stuff. The original work is over 200 pages, this study guide is under 80 pages. The guides starts with a ‘the book at a glance’, which I found to be helpful since I’d not read the original work. I had some misconceptions that had held me back from reading this particular book. Right away from the study guide, we understand that the book is really about "concealment of sin and the guilt it produces. It is also about consciousness of sin and guilt." The book actually picks after the adulterous act has been committed, so we know but don't have to go through that. 

Each chapter of the book has its own place in the guide, with a plot summary, commentary and for reflection and discussion sections. In the margins are comments from other critics (‘critic’ doesn’t mean ‘all bad’). Another feature is at the beginning titled “The Author and His Faith” that discusses Hawthorne’s own beliefs, those of the time-period as well as the ones portrayed in the book. 

I found this study guide to be helpful for myself and would like to find more of Ryken’s Christian Guides. There are at least three more at this time {Amazon affiliate link}: Homer's The Odyssey, Milton's Paradise Lost, and Shakespeare's MacBeth. Dicken's Great Expectations and Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress are coming Spring 2014. I'm undecided at the moment if I will use this {or Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter at all} in our homeschool but think it's a good resource to have in case we do.

***Disclaimer: I received the above reviewed study guide for free from Crossway for the purpose of this review. All opinions stated are my own. No compensation was given. This post does include affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Curriculum Review: British Literature by James P. Stobaugh {New Leaf Publishing}

British Literature Pack, Student Text and Teacher Text, by James Stobaugh
ISBN: 9780890516737
Available individually in paperback (464 pages) or digital (mobi or epub)
Publisher: Master Books/New Leaf Publishing Group, Inc.
Retail: $38.99 for the set (see website for current pricing)

1 year Curriculum
10^th - 12^th Grade
1 Credit

About this curriculum (from New Leaf Publishing):

From reformers and rogues to poets and playwrights, a study of British literature will take you through some of the most popular works ever written. Using easy to find public domain works (we tell you where to look) and helpful selections included, this is one of three literature courses easy to enjoy and easy on your budget!

“A well-crafted presentation of whole-book or whole-work selections from the major genres of classic literature (prose, poetry, and drama), each course has 34 chapters representing 34 weeks of study, with an overview of narrative background material on the writers, their historical settings, and worldview.

The rich curriculum’s content is infused with critical thinking skills, and an easy-to-use teacher’s guide outlines student objectives with each chapter, providing the answers to the assignments and weekly exercises. The final lesson of the week includes both the exam, covering insights on the week’s chapter, as well as essays developed through the course of that week’s study, chosen by the educator and student to personalize the coursework for the individual learner. (from product description at NLPG)”

About the author- James P. Stobaugh:

Dr. James Stobaugh was a Merrill Fellow at Harvard and holds degrees from Vanderbilt and Rutgers universities, and Princeton and Gordon-Conwell seminaries. An experienced teacher, he is a recognized leader in homeschooling and has published numerous books for students and teachers. He and his wife Karen have homeschooled their four children since 1985.

See a sample of the British Literature.

What’s included in the Student Text:

• Each chapter has five lessons with daily concept-building exercises, warm-up questions, and guided readings
• Suggested reading schedules and daily calendar
• Directs students to think critically about philosophy and trends in culture, and articulate their views through writing

The beginning of the book has a portion directing students how to use the textbook. It covers “How this course has been developed”, “Throughout this book you will find the following” (–which is pretty much the same as I listed above under What’s included…), “Earn a bonus credit!” (–this tells that by covering information and assignments in a corresponding History Connections textbook, also written by Stobaugh published by Master Books, extra credit can be earned), “What the student will need each day” (-here it lists the basics of pencil/pen and paper or computer and a prayer journal but the last one I didn’t see at all where this was necessary during the book), “Increasing your vocabulary”, and “About the Author”.

Included at the end of the table of contents is a list of readings that will need to be acquired to complete the book. Many of the books from the earlier years can be found free online (Project Gutenberg, The Online Books Page, Bartleby, and sometimes Google Books). This is helpful so that the student is aware of what’s coming and doesn’t have to rely solely on the teacher for this information.

The book is broken down into seven time-frames, each with 2-8 chapters dealing with that time period. 3

1. The Anglo-Saxon Age (Parts 1-2)
2. The Middle Ages (Parts 1-2)
3. Elizabethan Age (Parts 1-4)
4. The Seventeenth Century (Parts 1-5)
5. The Eighteenth Century (Parts 1-7)
6. The Nineteenth Century (Parts 1-8)
7. and The Twentieth Century (Parts 1-6)

Within those time periods the book does indeed include a variety of literary works.

What’s included in the Teacher’s Text

First, the teacher text is a copy of the student text except it also has answers where the student text only has questions. It also has in the “Using Your Teacher Guide” section “Grading Record Options” with a chart for three options, which it explains briefly. At the end of the book it also has Chapter Tests which are all essays.

In both books are corresponding chapters in the History Connections books by Stobaugh at the bottom of the chapter’s first page. They also have a little blurb about “Reading Ahead” that includes the work they should read before going on to the first lesson in the chapter. Each lesson has assignments such as reading, “warm-up”, “Concept Builder”, and essays –writing, rewriting and final draft.

The book suggests that each lesson should take 45-60 minutes. Well, for the writing portion I can see it taking that long but some of the assignments, such as the “Concept Builders” only take a few minutes at most. The reading and writing is what takes the most time in this course. It is reading and writing intensive.

What we thought of the course

We used only a portion of this course because it was near the end of our school year. I had high hopes it would be a good addition to help us with our literature study. But I’m not overly convinced it was really what we needed. We did not do the essay writings but did do some of the warm-up and concept builder exercises, as well as the readings for the portions we used.

The main reason I felt this wasn’t that great of an addition for us personally is because we simply don’t have the base knowledge of literature to tackle this type of course. And without that knowledge there are parts that will not make sense because it doesn’t explain it, even in the Teacher’s Text. For instance, we jumped in at the Nineteen Century, with Pride and Prejudice. One of the Concept Builders talks about ‘themes’ of the story. We did not understand the themes of the book. I used the Teacher’s Text but it did not explain well it’s answers.  It just confused and frustrated us. We did not find a greater appreciation for the literature after completing the portions of the textbook.

Now that doesn’t mean that this won’t be a great fit for someone else. There may be others who understand the fine points and details, the underlying meanings and themes, of literature and this would most likely work well for them. If you don’t, it will require more effort than it states in the book(s). The Student Text says that this is an independent course, for the most part, with discussion and grading to be handled by the teacher. But in our case that wasn’t how it turned out.

***Disclaimer: I received the above set from NLPG for free to review. All opinions are my own. No monetary compensation was given. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Hewitt Homeschooling- Lightning Literature {Schoolhouse Review Crew}

Lightning Literature and Composition
British Early-Mid 19th Century Student Guide- $29.95

Lightning Literature and Composition
British Early-Mid 19th Century TG- $2.95

Literature- it can be fun (and relaxing) to read but it’s another thing to understand it. I personally did not take many classes that dealt with literature in high school and only one class in college that pertained to literature. To say that I am lacking in this area would be an understatement.

Recently I was given the privilege to choose from the many Lightning Literature offerings at Hewitt Homeschool. I chose to go with British Early-Mid 19th Century because my ds (who is going into 8th grade) will be reading Ivanhoe this year and I’d finished reading Jane Eyre in May. Both of these books are in this study! But it is geared toward 10-12 grades. I really didn’t think my ds would be ready to tackle this one. Well, it’s a good thing I just happen to have a dd who is going into 10th grade *wink*. Honestly, I wanted this for myself as much as for her them. When we teach, we learn.

This study covers four larger books:

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

as well as shorter works:

• poems by William Blake
• Essay on Scott by Thomas Carlyle
• Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron and Shelley
• Rebecca and Rowena by William Thackeray

The shorter works are all included in the SG and the larger works were very easy to find in the public domain. We actually already had Ivanhoe (in physical form) and Jane Eyre (on my Kindle).

From this page you can see the Table of Contents, Intro and Grading Tips, and Schedules that are in the TG. Here you can find the Table of Contents and Sample Chapter for the SG.

The SG has eight lessons that are broke up like this:

• Introduction
• Comprehension Questions
• Literary Lesson
• Writing Exercises

From the website:

Lessons cover description, point of view, persuasive writing, setting, humor, character, and imagery and tone in poetry. The Student's Guide includes information about the authors, comprehension questions, writing exercises, discussion questions, reading lists appropriate to the period or subject, semester and full-year schedules, and a bibliography. The answers to comprehension questions are in the Teacher's Guide. Book-length works are sold separately and in a pack with the guides.

Recommendations:  This course is especially recommended for the students who have already taken at least one previous high-school level Lightning Literature course, who are studying world history, and who are interested in British literature. These should not be viewed as restrictions; this course can profitably be used by high-school students of any grade regardless of which previous Lightning Literature courses they have completed. Generally speaking, this course is more difficult than the two American Literature courses and Speech but easier than the Shakespeare courses, British Christian Literature, or British Medieval Literature. Much depends on student interest in the material, however. (emphasis mine)

From the two schedules included in the TG, we’ve gone mostly by the second…but have spread it out even more. They have a one semester (18 weeks) schedule and a full-year (36 weeks) schedule to choose from. I do understand now why they suggest taking a previous Lightning Lit course first. This was challenging. Totally doable, but still a challenge. We couldn’t do it at the pace put forth in the guides and I’m glad that we don’t have to!

I appreciate that it includes an introduction to the lesson being studied –it includes information about the author as well as suggestions of things to be thinking about and looking for while reading. Also I like the ability to choose between different writing assignments and I felt they were diverse enough to keep interest. Just a snapshot of two different Writing Exercises (these are for the first two units):

     
Some are only on one page; others take two!

My dd wasn’t thrilled about this item at first but I do feel that is because it is ‘summer’ and she didn’t want to focus. I did find her reading through it on her own, randomly, and commenting about the interesting things she learned from it. She loves to read and would like to be an editor when she finishes high school. *If* she continues on with college, an English degree is at the top of her list. This, I think, will help her along that path.

I felt that it covered the topics well and liked the way that it is organized. We will continue to use this and perhaps I can re-use it with my ds in a couple of years. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to other homeschoolers who are looking for a literature program that makes the student think and helps them to achieve ‘college-level composition’. Please stop by the other Schoolhouse Review Crew blogs to see what they had to say about this and other Hewitt Homeschool items (follow that link or click the compass graphic at the very bottom of this post!).

The entire pack can be purchased from Hewitt Homeschool (check website for current price):

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See other Lightning Literature offerings from Hewitt Homeschooling. Hewitt Homeschooling also offers a High School Program.

Contact Information:
FAX: 360-835-8697
Phone: 800-348-1750  /  360-835-8708
Website: https://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/Home/hMain.aspx
Email: sales@hewitthomeschooling.com
Office Location:
2103 Main Street
Washougal, WA 98671

***Disclaimer: I received the above reviewed curriculum free from Hewitt Homeschooling via the Schoolhouse Review Crew. No compensation was given and all opinions stated are my own and/or those of my family members. I only recommend products that I truly feel would be beneficial to others based solely on my experiences. See Disclosure/Policies.***

TOS REVIEW: Progeny Press Literature Study Guides

 

"To teach our children to think clearly, to understand literature, and to rely on the scripture for truth and values, and enjoy themselves while they do it!"

Progeny Press has over 100 study guides for literature, covering kindergarten through high school. Progeny Press study guides concentrate on critical thinking, comprehension, literary analysis, and Christian application. Our goal is to teach our children to think clearly, to understand literature, and to rely on scripture for truth and values, and enjoy themselves while they do it! from the website

We have been allowed to choose up to two study guides to review from Progeny Press. Fortunately this lined right up with what we are studying for school! I love it when it all comes together so easily… We chose The Bronze Bow, taking place in Roman times when Jesus walked the earth for Fox (appropriate for grades 6-8) and The Screwtape Letters, written by C. S. Lewis, presenting letters from the “Enemy’s” point of view, for Lee (appropriate for grades 9-12).

*I did have to purchase The Bronze Bow to do this review (but it was on my list to buy anyway) and we already own The Screwtape Letters. Progeny Press does offer the books needed for each study guide on their site as well.

The study guides are interactive, which means that you can type the answers on the pdf, or print them out. We chose to use the type-in-pdf. The only problem I found with this was that it was a little difficult to be in the ‘same place’ as my student. We use one computer, generally, to do this type of work- so when they are using it, I cannot- and vice versa. Printing it may have worked better- perhaps print out a copy for myself and let them do the type-in-pdf. We are not completely done with this yet so perhaps I may still try that. They suggest taking 8-12 weeks to work through a single guide- I completely agree with this. I mistakenly thought that it was going to be a quicker study (because the book is read within a week- according to the suggestion in the Note to the Instructor) but there is no way to cover all the guide in such a short amount of time. It would take us between 10-12 weeks to complete these two guides, I would guess.

Each study guide “provides easy-to-use, reproducible lessons on literary terms, comprehension and analysis, critical thinking, related scriptural principles, vocabulary, and activities, plus a complete answer key.” When they say ‘critical thinking’, they are not kidding! Some of the questions really made me think and were a challenge for my kids. You can see a sample of the study guides at each of the product pages (here for The Screwtape Letters and here for The Bronze Bow).

I had not read either of these books previously but we did not do them ‘together’- as a read aloud. Fox read The Bronze Bow in one week but Lee is taking longer to go through The Screwtape Letters. Because I have two using these- and different levels and books- I’ve been catching up. As they move to a new section (or group of chapters) in the guide, I make sure to have that much read before time. This is where I am very grateful for the answers that are included with this (independent pdf)! I am much a student as well as my kids are for these.

Each guide has

• Note to the Instructor
• Synopsis
• About the Author
• Prereading Activities
• and Additional Resources at the end of the guide.

The Study Guides can be purchased in the following formats

• Booklet
• CD
• CD & Booklet
• Email Download

The prices vary for each product so be sure to check the website for current pricing. At the time of this posting, The Bronze Bow  is available for $18.99, $16.99, $23.99 and $16.99 –respectively. The Screwtape Letters is available for $21.99, $18.99, $27.99, and $18.99 –respectively. Don’t forget the books! You can purchase The Bronze Bow for $6.95, and The Screwtape Letters for $13.99.

Bottom-line:

I think these are good products. I enjoy the books that are offered as well as the philosophy behind Progeny Press. They are more in-depth than I first realized and that is a good thing. It stretches our minds and makes us think differently perhaps than we had before.

I try to think of pros and cons to products but really can only see pros for these. Even for slower readers or those with comprehension issues, if these are taken at a pace most productive to the learner, they can be a great resource.

I would recommend these to others looking for literature resources in their homeschool (or even for ‘extra’ studies). The formats available for these should please a multitude of buyers.

Have a look at the other books that were reviewed- and read what others think- at the TOS Crew blog.

***Disclaimer: I received the two study guides above free from Progeny Press via the TOS Homeschool Review Crew in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated are mine or those of my family. I only recommend products that I truly feel would benefit others, based on my experiences with the product. See Disclosure/Policies.***