Description
As the days turn into nights and the storm rages on, Abbie's strength and resourcefulness are put to the ultimate test. She learns what a promise means as she must tend to the lights nightly, care for her sick mother, her sister, the livestock, and hope anxiously for the storm to end. Based on a true story.
Explore the Cultural Background of the 1800s East Coast
Before your child reads the book, this guide helps immerse your beginning learners in the rich history of lighthouses and what life was like in the 1800s. Students will explore why lighthouses were important and how ships navigated, building the historical context for this true story of a brave young heroine. Learning Abbie’s story can inspire your students in their own day-to-day walk.
Not just simple background reading, this sets the stage for higher order thinking and learning how responsibility is part of our lives.
Meet Peter & Connie Roop — the couple behind the story
These award-winning authors have written over one hundred children's books, including biographies, science, and picture books. They've been recognized as Notable Wisconsin Authors and Peter has been named a Wisconsin State Teacher of the Year. Understanding an author's life can make their stories even more interesting.
Words that matter — learning through fun, not busywork
Vocabulary is woven into 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 their beginning reading comprehension.
- Context-based vocabulary is from the novel itself
- A fun wordsearch fosters word recognition
- Activities that build retention, not just memorization
Begin to recognize literary techniques used in good stories
This guide goes beyond comprehension to teach students how great storytelling works. Through carefully designed activities, students explore the literary techniques that make Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie so exciting and memorable, including:
- Creating Word Pictures — Learn how authors use imagery, similes, and metaphors to connect things we know to create vivid feelings or pictures in your mind
- Cause and Effect — Recognize how authors show one action causing another thing to happen as a result
Beginning ELA skills help build the literary appreciation that young children carry into more advanced study.
Faith-centered character study — lesson by lesson
Every page of Abbie's harrowing adventure 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 Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie is no exception. This guide includes a rich variety of hands-on, cross-curricular activities, including:
- Geography — Explore the the state of Maine and the location of Matinicus Lighthouse
- Lighthouses — Create lighthouse art and discuss how lighthouses were built
- Discuss the 1800s — Learn about about how they heated their homes
- Cultural Connections — What clothing was worn in the 1800s?
- Sailing Safety — Discuss the importance of lighthouses
- 1800s Schooling — How did children do school in a lighthouse?
These aren't filler activities. Each one is intentionally connected to the story, the historical setting, or the biblical themes — making learning authentic.
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 Peter and Connie Roop as well as other books that share the themes, setting, and spirit of Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie. It's a wonderful resource for enriching your carefully curated 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 Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie novel
- A copy of Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie 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 Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie novel
- A copy of Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie 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.
