Description
Recovering from Civil War
Students will learn about the Homestead Act of 1862, providing land to those willing to cultivate the land in Kansas and Nebraska. They also learn that Wagon Wheels is based on a true story, gaining context and history that shaped the story.
We don't want boring history lessons. That is why we focus on fascinating historical tidbits that help students understand and appreciate the story.
Barbara Brenner — an award winning author
With more than 80 titles, Barbara Brenner is an inspirational author for aspiring young writers.
Words for life — learn by doing, not memorizing
Vocabulary is in this ELA guide engages students with a selection of activities designed to build real word retention. We don't bore students with rote memorization. Students get to use and build the kind of rich vocabulary that improves their reading comprehension and their own writing.
- Compare and contrast your own understanding of words with their dictionary definition
- Complete a crossword and strengthen pattern recognition, spelling, and student engagement while reinforcing vocabulary growth
- Activities that build retention through engagement, not just memorization
Write like an author — How to use words to their fullest potential
This guide goes beyond basic comprehension to teach students how memorable writing works. Through carefully designed activities, students explore the literary techniques in Wagon Wheels, including:
- Fact vs. Opinion — Students identify the difference between objectively true statements, and personal opinions
- Compound Words — Learn how words can be combined to create brand new words
We introduce language arts skills that build the literary appreciation children carry into more advanced study.
Faith-centered ELA study — lesson by lesson
Every page of the farmer's journey offers opportunity for character study and personal growth. This literature 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
For over 30 years, families have loved how Progeny Press guides bring books to life — and Wagon Wheels is full of fun learning opportunities. This guide includes a variety of hands-on, cross-curricular activities, including:
- Arts and Crafts — Make a diorama, plant gardens, and learn to sing folk songs
- Cooking — Gather ingredients and make cornbread
- Geography — Mark locations from the story and measure distances
- History — Discuss what it would be like to live without modern conveniences, and tackle tough discussions on slavery and its aftermath
These aren't just 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
Progeny's study guide includes a curated reading list to engage and keep students reading, long after they finish the first book. Featuring additional works by Barbara Brenner, as well as other authors that share themes, setting, and writing style of Wagon Wheels. With this reading list, you can develop a complete, cohesive homeschool reading curriculum for your entire year.
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
