Tell Me About Greenleaf Ancient Literature Guides and Ancient Lit Recommendations

[Reefgazer]

I am trying to put together literature study for DD next year. We are using SWB's History of The Ancient World with the study guide, and so we are set for history. I want to have DD read ancient literature, as well, but I am far from an English teacher and need clear guidance in doing that. I hear Greenleaf guides recommended by posters here. Can someone give me an example of how they work? Are they teacher intensive? Also, for one high school credit of literature and writing, how many and which ancient works would you aim to do?

 

In case it is relevant, here is what DD will (tentatively) have on her plate next year: Saxon Algebra II, Miller-Levine honors biology, History of the Ancient World, Literature/writing, Latin, French.

[Reefgazer]

Anyone have Greenleaf guides experience?

I am trying to put together literature study for DD next year. We are using SWB's History of The Ancient World with the study guide, and so we are set for history. I want to have DD read ancient literature, as well, but I am far from an English teacher and need clear guidance in doing that. I hear Greenleaf guides recommended by posters here. Can someone give me an example of how they work? Are they teacher intensive? Also, for one high school credit of literature and writing, how many and which ancient works would you aim to do?

In case it is relevant, here is what DD will (tentatively) have on her plate next year: Saxon Algebra II, Miller-Levine honors biology, History of the Ancient World, Literature/writing, Latin, French.

 

[Ellie]

The literature guides are fairly new products; I think Greenleaf is more known for its guides to the Famous Men of... books.

[Julie in MN]

I have the Ancient guide around here somewhere.  We used a bit of it to discuss Oedipus.  The high school guides are not the same as the Famous Men guides.  The high school ones have been around quite a while but I think went out of print for a bit, as they don't seem to be used as often as the Famous Men ones.  Here is the one we have:  http://www.greenleafpress.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=pubs_product_book_info&cPath=29&products_id=1243

This link has a couple of sample pages:  http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/010792

 

I can't say how it would work to use the guide as a full literature course.  Oedipus was a very small part of Ancient lit for us (using MFW for the rest).  That one's a play so the whole story could potentially be spoken aloud in a few hours, thus you can see the reading is not heavy if using this guide for an entire year's literature, but it's more than our local public schools, if the essays are included.

 

Those types of guides, written in earlier days of homeschooling, tend to be a little looser than what is created today.  Thus they may be best for a student who is self-driven (to find out more than the bare minimum to answer the questions) or a family where there will be discussion. 

 

HTH,

Julie

Edited January 18, 2016 by Julie in MN

[Reefgazer]

This is exactly the guide I was interested in, thanks for the feedback!  I'm tempted to order it, as it's not terribly expensive compared to some of the stuff out there, and if it doesn't work for us there is not a lot of money lost.  I wish I could peek inside at the format and questions.

I have the Ancient guide around here somewhere.  We used a bit of it to discuss Oedipus.  The high school guides are not the same as the Famous Men guides.  The high school ones have been around quite a while but I think went out of print for a bit, as they don't seem to be used as often as the Famous Men ones.  Here is the one we have:  http://www.greenleafpress.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=pubs_product_book_info&cPath=29&products_id=1243

This link has a couple of sample pages:  http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/010792

 

I can't say how it would work to use the guide as a full literature course.  Oedipus was a very small part of Ancient lit for us (using MFW for the rest).  That one's a play so the whole story could potentially be spoken aloud in a few hours, thus you can see the reading is not heavy if using this guide for an entire year's literature, but it's more than our local public schools, if the essays are included.

 

Those types of guides, written in earlier days of homeschooling, tend to be a little looser than what is created today.  Thus they may be best for a student who is self-driven (to find out more than the bare minimum to answer the questions) or a family where there will be discussion. 

 

HTH,

Julie

 

[Julie in MN]

 I wish I could peek inside at the format and questions.

 

That second link (Rainbow) has a few sample pages you can view. 

[Reefgazer]

Yes, I saw that link, but it only has the TOC and 1 page.  I did order it for 46 cents +shipping off Amazon and it's on it's way.  I think I am really going to like it!

That second link (Rainbow) has a few sample pages you can view.