Description
Wandering about on the ridge above his family's farm, Robert Peck comes across a neighbor's cow having difficulty giving birth. Acting quickly, Rob is able to help, and two bull calves are born. He is rewarded by their neighbor and owner of the cow, Mr. Tanner, with a piglet of his own to raise. Rob names the pig Pinky. Putting all his energy into caring for her, he dreams of the day she will become a brood sow and provide his family with a litter of pigs. Rob is the only surviving son in his family, and his four older sisters have all married and left home.
Rob's father, Haven Peck, is a quiet, gentle man who butchers pigs, a job he does not enjoy but performs so he can provide for his family. Mr. Peck cannot read or write, but stresses the importance of education to his son. Although the family is not rich, Mr. Peck teaches them that they are rich in the things that truly matter: they have each other, they have land to work, and they have God's creation to enjoy. However, tough times bring wrenching decisions when slaughtering season comes. Told from a boy's perspective, this story is both funny and moving, as Robert learns about life, love, and death, and what it means to be a man.
A Day No Pigs Would Die Digital Download Literature Study Guide
Formatted with your High School student in mind, Progeny Press literature study guides provide in-depth lessons and writing assignments that strengthen reading comprehension, expand vocabulary, and develop advanced literary analysis and essay writing skills. Each guide challenges students to think critically and engage meaningfully with the text, without unnecessary busywork that diminishes the joy of reading.
For over 30 years, homeschool families, co-ops, and Christian schools worldwide have trusted Progeny Press to provide rigorous, faith-based English and Language Arts curriculum that inspires thoughtful readers and confident writers.
What Progeny Press' A Day No Pigs Would Die Literature Curriculum Digital Study Guide provides your High School student:
ELA Built for Ages 15–18 • Grades 9–12
Our faith-based literature study guide helps students strengthen their reading and comprehension skills through engaging, age-appropriate activities.
English/Language Arts Credit: This High School literature curriculum provides students with a one-quarter credit.
Author Biography: Explore the life and background of Robert Newton Peck.
Background Information: Gain an understanding of the nature of the Shakers, both historically and in contemporary contexts.
Before-You-Read Activities: Explore Vermont's geography and its role in production, learn about the world of the Shakers, engage in a research paper centered around 1930s agriculture, explore pig breeds through research, and consider thought-provoking topics such as "what it means to be a man" and themes related to birth and death.
Vocabulary: Encounter and understand vocabulary words found throughout the novel using various activities that encourage retention and growth.
Literary Techniques: Analyze dialect expressions, how words are used in context, explore the art of diagramming, uncover instances of foreshadowing, examine shifts in mood, contrast different elements, study grammar usage, delve into characterization, decipher the author's tone, appreciate comic scenes, dissect conflicts, and uncover underlying themes.
Moral Lessons and Character Values: Helping/caring for animals, rewards, value of a man, material possessions, true riches, confession, adultery, judging others, pride, fairness, death, wealth, love and forgiveness, coming-of-age.
Activities and Writing Assignments: Explore units of measurement, delve into capstan research, immerse yourself in the principles of Shaker beliefs, and explore the profound connections between birth and death.
Suggestions for Further Reading: Explore an extensive list of additional works by the same author(s) and discover books that share similarities with Robert Newton Peck's A Day No Pigs Would Die.
What Will You Need?
A Complete Language Arts Experience with Progeny Press
- A copy of the A Day No Pigs Would Die novel
- A copy of the A Day No Pigs Would Die study guide
- A Bible (digital or physical)
- A dictionary (child-friendly or online)
Created for upper-level learners, this guide strengthens critical thinking and encourages polished writing while helping students master essential ELA concepts.
Designed for YOU
- 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.
Features and Benefits FAQ - Progeny Press ELA PDF Study Guide:
Why Schools & Families Love Our Study Guides:
- Faith-Based Curriculum: Each guide is rooted in Christian values, helping students grow academically while learning in a faith-aligned environment
- Proven Success: Trusted by homeschool families, co-ops, and Christian schools for more than 30 years.
- Easy to Follow & Open-and-Go: Designed for simplicity and flexibility. Just open and start learning.
- Biblical Connections: Every study promotes meaningful discussions that tie literature themes to Scripture and real-life application.
- Adaptable for Any Setting: Works beautifully in homeschools, classrooms, or co-ops and supports different learning styles and teaching methods.
- Thoughtfully Structured Lessons: Integrates literature analysis with biblical truth, helping students strengthen both academic understanding and spiritual growth.
- Engaging, Hands-On Activities: Includes projects, creative assignments, research papers, writing assignments, and interactive exercises that support reading comprehension and make learning memorable.
- No Busywork: Every activity is purposeful, faith-filled, and designed to deepen understanding—not fill time.
- Comprehensive Literature Coverage: Features classic and contemporary works that build strong literary foundations and critical thinking.
- Support for Parents & Teachers: Includes practical tips, clear instructions, and full answer keys to make teaching simple and effective.
Digital Format Details:
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- Works on Mac, PC, and most tablets
- Fillable form fields allow on-screen answers or easy printing
- No costly software purchases necessary. PDF files open in the FREE Adobe Reader program.
Note: Mobile devices may require an alternative app that supports and saves fillable form fields and interactive features. - Conveniently print what you need, when you need it
- Print the whole ELA study guide at once
- Print single literature lessons or pages as the student completes them
- Print multiple copies of the entire curriculum study guide for classroom sets
All of Progeny Press' language arts PDF download unit lessons are written from a Christian worldview!
