Description
Enter the medieval period and the crusades
Students get a fascinating glimpse into European history and the Third Crusade. They will learn about the struggles surrounding Jerusalem, the events that led to the Third Crusade, and several of the pivotal figures involved, including King Richard I, Saladin, and the history that led to Roger and Alice's adventure.
No boring history lessons here. Just fascinating tidbits that help students understand the world surrounding the events of the book, bringing it to life in their imaginations.
Gloria Skurzynski — A writer who persevered
Students learn about the incredible author, Gloria Skurzynski. Her remarkable life growing up in the Great Depression and the steel industry, her struggles to become a published author, and the incredible accomplishments and awards she made throughout her career.
Words that matter — making learning fun, not dull
Vocabulary is woven into this guide through varied, engaging activities designed to build real word retention. Students encounter words in context, work with them through word searches and activities, and develop the kind of rich vocabulary that strengthens both reading comprehension and their own writing. No rote memorization — just words that stick because students actually use them.
- Words are used in context, giving them real meaning
- Multiple Choice activities
- Dictionary work, improving their research skills
- Activities that build retention through engagement, not just memorization
Reading like a writer — building true literary appreciation
This study guides the student deeper than simple comprehension to teach students how great literature is created. Through carefully designed activities, students explore the literary techniques that make The Minstrel in the Tower so memorable and effective, including:
- Similes — See how authors use similes to help us envision things in the story, by comparing them to something we are familiar with
- Flashbacks — Spot clues an author plants ahead of time, developing habits that make students stronger, more attentive readers
- Synonyms — See how authors use words that have the same or similar meaning to add nuance and interest to stories
- Descriptive Writing — Explore descriptive language, learning how authors create clear images in our imaginations with their writing
- Alphabetizing — How to sort and organize language consistently
These are foundational ELA skills that build the literary appreciation children carry into more advanced study.
Christ-centered character study — lesson by lesson
Each chapter of Roger and Alice's journey offers a wonderful 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 have loved how Progeny Press guides bring books to life for over 30 years — and The Minstrel in the Tower is no different. This guide includes a variety of hands-on, cross-curricular activities, including:
- Legends — Learning what legends are, and examining some popular medieval stories and legends
- Multimedia extras — Additional reading, such as Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi, or watching classic representations of Robin Hood
- Occupations — Discuss the difference between Jesters and Minstrels
- Geography and Map work — Locate and learn about Europe and The Holy Land
- Creative Writing — Have students use their imaginations and write music, poetry, and research assignments
- Wordsearch — Fun visual activities that reinforce spelling, pattern recognition, and vocabulary
- Art projects — Complete various art projects such as learning about and design your very own heraldry
- Craft projects — Bring the story to life with fun tactile activities
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 them reading, long after the last page
This guide includes a curated reading list to keep the love of literature going long after the last page closes. Featuring more works by Gloria Skurzynski as well as other books that share the themes, setting, and spirit of The Minstrel in the Tower, it's a wonderful way to build out a complete homeschool reading curriculum.
Open-and-go — on your schedule, your way
- Download instantly — no shipping, no waiting
- Works on Mac, PC, and most tablets
- Fillable PDF fields for on-screen use or easy printing
- Print the full guide, individual lessons, or multiple classroom copies
- Compatibility Focused for every device:
- Fully interactive copy with Javascript enabled with embedded Audio included
- Simple form enabled for most PDF viewers included
- Full, formatted Answer key included
