TGC Prep

TGC Prep with Composition prepares middle school students to enter TGC Primer by focusing on:

• Wide and varied reading in historical fiction covering the sweep of history from ancient cultures to modern times.
• Literary analysis
• Writing skills.
• Thorough understanding of English grammar.
• Good typing skills.

TGC Prep West and TGC Prep East are interchangeable and are appropriate for middle school grades. The classes are offered in alternating years.

• TGC Prep West: Western Literature and History gives students a bird's eye view of the sweep of world history chronologically from ancient cultures to modern times through the study of works of historical fiction as well as Greek mythology and poetry.
  • Class discussions focus on content and themes of each novel, which measures and encourages good reading comprehension.
  • Students develop skills of literary analysis by examining the five elements of literature: character, setting, plot, conflict, theme.
  • Students develop writing skills through regular essay assignments that interact with these works, as well as completing projects and presentations on different countries, figures, and events.
• TGC Prep East: Eastern Literature and Missions takes students on an exotic adventure through the Eastern countries as we study the exciting literature of the Eastern hemisphere. Students learn about the culture of the countries, focusing on their religious beliefs. We will pray for the salvation of the people living there and learn about the mission work that is going on today.
  • Class discussions focus on content and themes of each novel, which measures and encourages good reading comprehension.
  • Students develop skills of literary analysis by examining the five elements of literature: character, setting, plot, conflict, theme.
  • Students develop writing skills through regular essay assignments that interact with these works, as well as completing projects and presentations on different countries, figures, and events.
• Composition 1: Invention and Persuasion (formerly Write with World) challenges students to engage in purposeful writing. The class tackles the fundamentals of essay writing and persuasion as well as introduces students to the power of storytelling. Students learn not only how to argue for their beliefs but also how to express themselves in their own, unique voice.

Home Studies

• The average student should plan to devote approximately two to three hours per week to TGC Prep assignments.
• Regular progress reports will be sent to parents.

Prerequisites

• No prerequisites for students entering at least the sixth grade.

Texts & Materials

+ These books are consumable or used in class. Siblings taking TGC should each have their own copy.

Texts

Be sure to purchase books for the correct year:

• TGC Prep West: Western Literature and History (2025/2026)
  • Trial & Triumph, Richard M. Hannula
  • Mara, Daughter of the Nile, Eloise J. McGraw
  • The Hittite Warrior, Joanne S. Williamson
  • The Bronze Bow, Elizabeth Speare
  • In Search of Honor, Donna Hess
  • A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Minerva, E.L. Konigsburg 
  • Mary, Bloody Mary, Carolyn Meyer 
  • The Iron Peacock, Mary Stetson Clarke
  • Snow Treasure, Marie McSwigan
  • I am David, Anne Holm and L. W. Kingsland
  • Rules of the Game: Grammar through Discovery Book 2+, Mary Page, Peter Guthrie, Sloan Sable
    • ISBN: 978-0838822395
  • Composition 1: Invention and Persuasion, Veritas Press
    • ISBN: 978-1936648467

TGC Prep East: Eastern Literature and Missions (2024/2025)

• Journey to the Eastern Hemisphere, April Lotempio
  • Available from Sonlight
• Year of Impossible Goodbyes, Sook Nyui Choi
• Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O'Dell
• Homeless Bird, Gloria Whelan
• Beduin’s Gazelle, Frances Temple
• Master Puppeteer, Katherine Paterson
• Ghost in the Taikado Inn, Dorothy and Thomas Hobler
• Land I Lost, Quang Nhuong Huynh
• Eric Liddel: Something Greater than Gold, Janet and Geoff Benge
• Shadow Spinner, Susan Fletcher
• Shurley English Level 6 Grammar & Composition Student Workbook +, Brenda Shurley
  • ISBN: 978-1585610297
  • ISBN: 978-1936648467
• Composition 1: Invention and Persuasion, Veritas Press
  • ISBN: 978-1936648467

Materials

• A three-ring binder with five dividers and loose-leaf paper
• Paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, a red pen, and colored pencils.
• A dictionary and thesaurus.
• Access to a computer, internet, email, and a printer, as well as ink and paper. Be sure your computer has Adobe Reader.