Focus Guides

Focus Guides center on specific character traits and/or writing skills. Some use extensive scripture. All take approximately 3 weeks to complete. The lessons do not include vocabulary or spelling worksheets; neither do they list optional activities such as field trips or hands-on suggestions found in our regular study guides. The listed titles are not available as study guides; these are Focus Guides only. An * by the writing description indicates the guide includes detailed writing instruction.

Animal Farm

Grades: high school (British literature)

Focus: discernment

Writing: opinion essays, character analysis, critical thinking

Author’s skills: point of view, symbolism

The Good Earth

Grades: 9th – 12th

Focus: Ecclesiastes

Writing: critical thinking, character analysis

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Grades: 5th – 8th

Focus: survival

*Writing: essays using 5-step approach; similes, metaphors; descriptions

Scripture: memorization of short proverbs

Out of the Dust

Grades: 6th – 8th

Focus: understanding poetry

*Writing: poetry, literary devices such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, etc.