THE PARENT'S ENGLISH LAB
Practical reading, writing, and learning strategies for middle and high school students—and the parents who support them.
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Latest From the Lab
“How Was I Supposed to Know That?” Helping Your Student With Literary Analysis
by: Virginia TaylorPublished on: 19/10/2026Literary analysis feels like guesswork? Use a clear example from The Giver to help your student connect ideas and back them up with evidence from the text.
how to help your student with literary analysisliterary analysisreading comprehensionmiddle school Englishhigh school EnglishThe Givertextual evidenceEnglish support for parents
Does Every Book Need an Essay Attached?
by: Virginia TaylorPublished on: 14/10/2026Does every homeschool reading assignment need an essay? Explore when essays, discussion, or shorter responses fit your student’s learning goals.
Homeschool high school Englishhomeschool literaturehigh school Englishreading responsesliterary analysishomeschool writing
Why Does My Student Retell the Story Instead of Analyzing It?
by: Virginia TaylorPublished on: 08/10/2026Does your student retell the story instead of analysing it? Learn how to help them connect evidence to a clear point, with a Romeo and Juliet example and two free printable worksheets.
Romeo and JulietShakespeareparent supportliterary analysishigh school English
Why Can My Student Understand Shakespeare but Struggle to Write About It?
by: Virginia TaylorPublished on: 06/10/2026Why can students understand Shakespeare but struggle with literary analysis? Help them clarify the prompt, choose evidence, and explain their ideas.
Romeo and JulietShakespeareliterary analysiswriting promptstextual evidencehigh school Englishparent support