Description
Explore the Rich Tradition of American Folklore
Before your child reads a single page, this guide grounds them in the rich world of Pennsylvania frontier life and American folktale tradition. Students explore the culture and storytelling heritage that gave rise to this tale, building the historical and cultural context that makes great literature come alive. Understanding where a story comes from deepens everything a reader takes away from it..
This isn't just boring background reading. It sets the stage for higher order thinking and how the tradition of storytelling shapes our culture and understanding.
Alice Dalgliesh — One of America's most celebrated children's author
Students learn about Alice Dalgliesh — her childhood in the British West Indies, her remarkable career as one of America's most celebrated children's authors, and the awards that recognized her work, including the Newbery Honor. Knowing the person behind the story helps young readers connect more deeply with the books they read.
Words that matter — learning through fun, not busywork
Vocabulary is woven into every chapter of this guide through varied, engaging activities designed to build real word retention — not just rote memorization. Students work with words in context, developing the kind of rich vocabulary that strengthens both reading comprehension and written expression.
- Context-based vocabulary from the novel itself
- Dictionary skill building
- Word searches
- Activities that build retention, not just memorization
Reading like a writer — building true literary appreciation
This guide goes beyond comprehension to teach students how great storytelling works. Through carefully designed activities, students explore the literary techniques that make The Bears on Hemlock Mountain so memorable and effective, including:
- Phrases and repetition — Recognize how authors use repeated language to build suspense and rhythm, keeping readers hooked from page to page
- Foreshadowing— Spot clues an author plants ahead of time, developing habits that make students stronger, more attentive readers
- Imagery— Discover how authors paint vivid pictures with words, building the descriptive vocabulary students need for their own creative writing
- Similes and metaphors — Explore figurative language, learning how authors make comparisons and connect things in surprising ways
- Dictionary use — Build the habit of independent investigation, developing research skills and reading confidence
These are foundational ELA skills that build the literary appreciation children carry into more advanced study.
Faith-centered character study — lesson by lesson
Every chapter of Jonathan's journey offers an opportunity for meaningful character growth. This guide draws out the moral and spiritual dimensions of the story, exploring themes such as:
Each theme is tied directly to Scripture, so faith and literature grow together — not separately.
Learning that brings ELA to life
Families love how Progeny Press guides bring books to life — and The Bears on Hemlock Mountain is no exception. This guide includes a rich variety of hands-on, cross-curricular activities, including:
- Geography — Explore mountain geography
- Animal Print Tracking — Identify and study the creatures around your own home
- Baking Cookies — Make your own cookies that taste so good, you just might lose track of time too
- Mystery Word Puzzles — Reinforce vocabulary and story comprehension with a fun, brain-teaser puzzle
- Creative Writing — Put students in Jonathan's boots and let their imaginations run wild
- Cookbook Compilation — Build your own family recipe cookbook
- Bear Research — Go beyond the story and learn about the real animals at the heart of the tale
- Drama & Theater — Bring the story to life with performance and storytelling
These aren't filler activities. Each one is intentionally connected to the story, the historical setting, or the biblical themes — making learning feel like an adventure, not a checklist.
Keep the love of reading going long after the last page
This guide includes a curated reading list to keep the love of literature going long after the last page. Featuring more works by Alice Dalgliesh as well as other books that share the themes, setting, and spirit of The Bears on Hemlock Mountain, it's a wonderful resource for building out a complete homeschool reading curriculum.
- Write your answers directly in the book
- Durable perfect-bound, heavy gloss cover
- No computer or software needed
- Answer key on perforated, removable pages
- Fillable fields, audio clips & interactive activities
- Print the whole guide, single lessons, or class sets
- Reusable file for multiple children or students
- Best experienced with free Adobe Acrobat Reader on a computer
- A copy of The Bears on Hemlock Mountain novel
- A copy of The Bears on Hemlock Mountain study guide workbook
- A Bible (digital or physical)
- A dictionary (student-friendly or online)
Created for beginning learners, this guide introduces critical thinking and introduces early ELA techniques and concepts.
- Homeschool families looking for Christian literature curriculum
- Schools looking for top quality ELA materials
- Parents wanting to build reading comprehension and character
- Co-ops and small group instruction
These guides work well on their own or alongside your preferred grammar and writing program.
What grade level is this designed for?
Recommended for grades 1–3, giving elementary students a fantastic introduction to the world of literary analysis in a grade appropriate way.
Is this a Christian literature curriculum?
Yes. Our faith-based curriculum integrates Christian worldview discussion with strong literature study and writing instruction.
Does the workbook include a complete answer key?
Yes. A full detailed answer key is included on perforated pages for easy removal before giving the book to students.
Is there space to write directly in the workbook?
Yes. Each lesson provides built-in space for students to record written answers, supporting organized learning.
May I copy pages for classroom or co-op use?
Yes, this guide is reproducible for classroom, co-op, and homeschool instruction.
What type of binding does the guide use?
Perfect bound in a full-size 8.5x11 format with a heavy gloss cover and quality interior paper for durability.
- Premium Print Format — Durable, perfect-bound 8.5x11 guide built for long-term classroom and homeschool use.
- Answer Key Made Simple — Full answer key on perforated pages, easy to remove before student use.
- Student-Friendly Design — Built-in space for written answers supports active learning and organized responses.
- Reproducible for Classroom Use — Approved for copying for Christian schools, co-ops, and group instruction.
- Open-and-Go Teaching — No devices needed. Just the book, a pencil, and a positive attitude!
- Trusted for Over 30 Years — Chosen by homeschool families, Christian schools, and educators nationwide.
- A copy of The Bears on Hemlock Mountain novel
- A copy of The Bears on Hemlock Mountain study guide CD
- A computer with a CD drive
- A Bible (digital or physical)
- A dictionary (student-friendly or online)
Created for beginning learners, this guide introduces critical thinking and introduces early ELA techniques and concepts.
- Homeschool families looking for Christian literature curriculum
- Schools looking for top quality ELA materials
- Classes wanting to print class sets of the worksheets
- Parents wanting to build reading comprehension and character
- Co-ops and small group instruction
These guides work well on their own or alongside your preferred grammar and writing program.
What grade level is this designed for?
Recommended for grades 1–3.
Is Progeny Press a Christian curriculum?
Yes, our faith-based literature study is Christ-centered and includes biblical application lessons. It can also be adapted for secular use by treating the Dig Deeper questions as moral/value discussions.
Does the CD study guide include an answer key?
Yes, a full detailed answer key is included as a separate file on the CD.
Is the study guide printable or fillable on screen?
Both! Print the entire guide or individual pages, or complete it digitally using the fillable form fields, audio clips, and taking advantage of the javascript enabled interactive activities. For the best experience, we strongly recommend using Adobe Acrobat Reader on a computer.
What devices can open the PDF study guide?
The PDF works on Mac and Windows using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Because this guide includes fillable fields, audio clips, and JavaScript-based interactive features, a computer with Adobe Acrobat Reader is strongly recommended for full functionality; mobile devices may not support every interactive feature and default PDF viewers may experience unintended performance.
Can I use this guide with multiple students?
Yes, you can use or reuse the study guide for your own children or co-op students. Public and private school teachers can use it within their classrooms.
Do I need any special software?
Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) is strongly recommended to get the full benefit of this guide's fillable fields, embedded audio, and interactive JavaScript activities. A basic PDF viewer can open the file, but won't support all interactive features.
- Permanent Master File — The CD keeps a permanent backup copy in case of a computer crash or new device.
- Works on Mac & PC — Compatible with both major operating systems.
- Interactive & Multimedia — Fillable form fields, embedded audio clips, and JavaScript-powered activities bring lessons to life — best experienced with free Adobe Acrobat Reader on a computer.
- No Costly Software — PDF files open in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program.
- Print What You Need, When You Need It — The whole guide, single lessons, or full classroom sets.
