Progeny Press Study Guides

Progeny Press produces study guides for different books for all different ages.  I used a few when the big kids were little for books like Mr. Popper's Penguins.  But, I had sort of forgotten about them until I had the chance to review their study guides for middle school and high school students.

We got the chance to review the study guide for C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters.  All you need to use their study guides is a thesaurus, a dictionary, a Bible......and the book. 

Most of the study guides are meant to be worked through in about 8-10 weeks.  There is a lot of information in the guides.  I mean a lot.

That is one thing that when I used these with the kids when they were littler that I didn't like.  It felt overwhelming to me....and felt sort of like it sucked the joy out of a good little story.  Those were back in the days when I thought I needed to do every single activity that was suggested to me.  (I have since relaxed and just pick and choose).

But, for older students, I love that there is so much more to dig into than just taking the book at face value.

The study guides review a lot of stuff in addition to the storyline of the book.  They review the author, some of the historical events/people that may be significant to the book, and have the usual questions to answer.  Many of the questions also ask that you do some analytical thinking or form an opinion on your own, not just spew out certain facts about the book.

Ooh, these guides make you think.  I love it!  Sometimes the answers are not just right there in black and white.....you have to search your heart and mind. 

Like, in The Screwtape Letters, the guide asks about whether you feel a Christian can lose their salvation. 

What do you think? 

Can you?


The study guide then goes on to say how easy it is to pick and choose scriptures to use (out of context) to prove your side of the argument.....and cautions against this approach.  I know some grown ups who could use that advice!


Like I said, I have used Progeny Press guides before and I will continue to use them.  D-man will be starting the Lord of the Rings trilogy soon and I think we may use their study guides for those too.  I read those books for fun a long time ago....now I think I may want to see what deeper meanings were hidden in them  besides "Preeeecioussssss........preeeeciousssssss......"

The study guides are available in a printed and bound booklet; on a CD in a PDF format; or as an e-mail attachment in a PDF format.  The guides I used before (Mr. Popper's Penguins) I chose the printed and bound booklet and this time (The Screwtape Letters) I got the e-mail attachment with the PDF format.

I still prefer to have an actual physical booklet in front of me.....without having to use up my own ink.  In this case, The Screwtape Letters booklet costs $21.99 and the e-mail attached PDF version is $18.99.  For me, paying the extra $3.00 would be worth it to have this on my bookshelf as a hard copy where you can flip through it.

Progeny Press has over 100 study guides available and the TOS crew got to choose from them.  Go take a look to see what books and study guides they chose. 


I got a PDF version of the study guide for The Screwtape Letters for free in exchange for an honest review of their product.

The Art of Argument

I do not like to argue.

I do not like confrontation.

Some of my best friends in high school loved debate.  They were even National Debate Champions.

Debate scared me.  It was like choosing to argue with someone....in front of an audience.....for fun.

Instead, I became a really rough and tough storyteller in Speech. 

Ha!



Honestly, Rainman and I hardly ever argue or fight.  Suits me just fine.


I do not like to argue.


I don't seem to be able to get my thoughts in order quick enough to be successful.

So, when we received a book by Classical Academic Press to review called The Art of Argument an Introduction to the Informal Fallacies, I thought, alright.  I may finally want to pick a fight with Rainman because I will be able to win.  (Not really.....I reeeaaaallly don't like to fight)


This book says that by mastering the "art" of argument,  you will learn to argue like a philosopher, but also to think clearly like a philosopher.  Not in a stuffy, professor-y way, but, like a Philosopher  - Greek words for - philos = loving and sophia = wisdom.

The fallacies discussed in the book have Latin names.....like, Ad Hominem arguments.   D-man is studying Latin, so that part sort of ties in nicely with what he is already learning.  (An example of Ad Hominem argument would be like on the playground when one kid dares another to try something and when they refuses, resorts to name calling, "What are you, chicken?")

All this Greek and Latin.....makes me feel like I am trying to sound all academic and hoighty toighty.

If you know me at all....you know I am not.

So, I will just say, that it is a going to take us a while to finish this book, because it opens a lot of doors for discussion. 

Especially once you start recognizing how these fallacies are being used against us everyday.  There are three main areas of fallacies; Relevance, Presumption and Clarity and within those three categories there are 28 fallacies.  This is a course designed for middle schoolers on up (grades 7-12). 

One of my most favorite parts of this book is the way it teaches the fallacies that surround us everyday (advertisements, political statements and even media coverage). They give you a visual picture with fake ads.

Here is an example of one that totally cracks me up:

"A blonde was driving...  When it's just too dangerous to be blonde.  Brunetta."

This fake ad shows the fallacy of Presumption, Induction and False Cause.

Funny, but teaches something.  I like it.

In a way, it would be worth it to have this book just to look at their fake ads and imagine what it was like in the room while they were creating them.  Actually, now that I think about it....it is probably what happens in ad agencies all over the world when they are launching a new product!

It just helps you recognize how often these fallacies are used against us in trying to get us to vote for someone, or buy something.

I have always been a bit of a skeptic when listening to ads or even political speeches. I always try to think about the "other side" of the story. An annoying quality if you are my husband and just want me to agree with what you think about a politician....but actually, pretty helpful in being able to root out and identify the "art" of an argument that companies or people are trying to use against me. I just didn't know all the fancy schmancy Latin names for them!

The Art of Argument textbook is available from Classical Academic Press for $21.95.  You can also get the teacher's guide for $24.95.  There is even a DVD set for $54.95.

I recommend working through this book with your children.  If you don't, they may use what they learn against you.  If you don't have the time or interest in working through it too, it is set up really easily for them to do on their own....especially if you have the teacher's guide in case you need a little help with the correct answers.  But, if they start convincing you to let them have a lot more privileges, a new phone, that perfect pair of jeans, or the keys to the car.....you know who to blame. 

The blonde.

If only you had used Brunetta!


See what arguments other TOS reviewers had for or against The Art of Argument by clicking here.   Seriously.  Check them out....it is what all the cool moms are doing!



I received a copy of the Art of Argument, the teacher's guide and the first DVD is the series in exchange for an honest review of the product.

Crazy Days

We have had some crazy days around here lately.  I tried to fly up to Minnesota to see my mom and sisters.  The added bonus was that I would actually be present for our annual Oscar party.  I never made it.

I sat at the airport all day trying to get on as a standby (you know, one of those perks of working for the airlines).  I sat through 5 flights in about 10 hours....no luck.  My suitcase did, in fact, make it to Minnesota and took its sweet time flying back to Georgia!

I cried.

In front of strangers.

I met a nice lady who bought me ice cream.


We have had two members of our church family pass within 24 hours of each other.  Another church member has had an emergency surgery and in the ICU.  Just lots of emotion swirling around.

Rainman and I got to go see the movie Courageous at a friend's church.  Wonderful movie.  Wonderful message.

The big kids have had a few odd jobs for people - a good way for them to earn money and learn responsibility and pride in their work - but also requires me to be their driver to get them to and from....If Rainman is around, it is actually kind of nice.  At the last job D-man worked, I was able to read uninterrupted (except for a visit from a really nice lapdog) for about an hour! 

It has just seemed a bit crazier than usual around here.  Take a look for yourself.....

Her hand shows a reminder to do her homework - History in the Making.

 Nice Snuggie, huh?

Our house suffered from all of our craziness too.....

Could anyone even sit on this couch?

I managed to give D-man a hair cut.....he wanted an in between short cut, before he gets his buzz cut when it officially gets hot down here.

Such a handsome boy, isn't he?

There has been more craziness with birthday parties and company.....but that is all I have time for right now....it is crazy around here, you know?