General Instruction
+ Subjects considered to be essential at this level. Other subjects should be included if at all possible to give a broad Charlotte Mason style education.
(N) Books/subjects intended for narration.
* Key curriculum – books considered to be key parts of the curriculum are shown in bold type and marked with an asterisk.
Highly Recommended materials/subjects are shown in bold. These should be included if possible, but are not essential.
Optional extras – optional books and suggestions are shown in italics
Selections listed in bright blue are alternatives for home educators in the UK
History Cycle for Australian students [provided by Ruth Marshall]
At this level most lessons should last around 20 – 30 minutes.
+ RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
(1) New Testament
Year Two (Weekly, Ordinary Time only)
(N) * Speak Lord I am Listening by Christine Haapala
UK: (N)* An Illustrated Rosary by John Udris (published by Family Publications)
Note: Both of these booklets include the Luminous Mysteries and are illustrated with beautiful artwork.
Read and narrate the Bible passage for each mystery of the Rosary. Written narrations can be used to make the student’s own Rosary book. One mystery to be studied each week. Older students can also use the meditations (UK students can also look up the additional Bible and Catechism references in the Family Publications booklet).
(2) Saints (Year One: Twice weekly, Ordinary Time only; Year Two: Twice weekly in Ordinary Time, Weekly for the rest of the year)
(N) * 57 Stories of Saints by Anne Heffernan
Note: Please preview the contents of the chapters on St. Dymphna (1st Year) and St. Maria Goretti (2nd Year). If you feel that the nature of the stories and the way in which they are told are inappropriate for your child, they can be omitted. The older version 57 Saints does not have the same problematic content, but has a few different saints.
OR The Young People’s Book of Saints by Hugh Ross Williamson
Year Two
-
- Term 1: pp. 221-340, St. Bernardine of Siena to St. Germaine (21 lessons)
- Term 2: pp. 341-448, St. Martin de Porres to St. Bartholomea (18 lessons)
- Term 3: pp. 449-554, St. John Bosco to Bl. James Alberione (18 lessons)
Recommended Reading:
One saint’s biography to be assigned as independent reading each term.
(3) Catechism (Weekly)
(N) * Faith and Life Series (pub. Ignatius Press). Read, narrate and discuss one lesson each week.
Year Two: *Credo: I Believe, Faith and Life Series, Grade 5
-
-
- Term 1: Lessons 1-11
- Term 2: Lessons 12-21 plus Celebrating the Church Year (Appendix)
- Term 3: Lessons 22-30
Optional Extras: Jesus Our Guide activity book 4 and Credo: I Believe activity book 5
(4) Advent (Twice weekly)
Stories of the Child Jesus from Many Lands by A. Fowler Lutz. Read one story for each lesson. (Use over both years)
(5) Lent (Twice weekly)
Year Two: The Way of the Cross by Inos Biffi
-
- Week 1: pp. 8-10
- Week 2: pp. 12-15
- Week 3: pp. 16-19
- Week 4: pp. 20-23
- Week 5: pp. 24-33
- Week 6: pp. 34-45
(6) Easter (Twice weekly)
Year Two: Our Lady’s Book by Lauren Ford (Out of print but widely available from used booksellers)
+ MATHEMATICS
(1) Work through any math program of your choice at a pace appropriate for your child. Short daily lessons lasting 20 -25 minutes should be enough.
(2) Five minutes of daily drill in math(s) facts, particularly multiplication tables.
(3) Mathematical reading and activities from How Math Works by Carol Vorderman
+ ENGLISH
(1) Reading (Daily)
The books set for Level 2 for history, religion, geography, literature, and science should normally be read by the child, either aloud to you or independently.
(2) Writing and Composition
(a) Copywork (10 minutes daily)
Copy two lines daily from favorite poems, prayers, Bible passages or the Shakespeare play being studied.
Recommended Resources:
The Harp and the Laurel Wreath by Laura Berquist
Shakespeare quotations suitable for copywork.
Suggested Activity: When the whole item has been copied illustrate it, decorate it, cover it with contact paper and use it as a place mat.
(b) Composition (Daily)
Regular written narrations from books set for history, religion, geography, literature and science.
(3) Grammar / English Language (three times weekly)
* Intermediate Language Lessons by Emma Serl
Year Two:
-
- Term 1: Lessons 151-200, pp. 160-209
- Term 2: Lessons 201-250, pp. 209-260
- Term 3: Lessons 251-301, pp. 261-316
UK Alternative
-
-
- Year Two: English Prep 3 (published by Galore Park)
(4) Studied Dictation (Twice weekly)
Short paragraphs or passages to be dictated from a section (two or three paragraphs) of a history, literature, geography or religion book that has been studied in advance.
+ LITERATURE
(1) Mythology (Weekly)
(N) * The Children’s Homer by Padraic Colum
(N) * The Aeneid for Boys and Girls by Alfred J.Church
Year Two:
-
- Term 1: Children’s Homer – Odyssey: Chapters 8 to 17
- Term 2: Aeneid – The Horse of Wood to The Plots of Juno
- Term 3: Aeneid – The Gathering of the Chiefs to Afterwards
Optional Further Reading: D’Aulaires’ Greek Myths by Edgar and Ingri D’Aulaire
(2) Classic Children’s Literature (Ad.Lib.)
Choose at least one book each term from the selection to read aloud. Not for narration, just read and enjoy!
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Swallows and Amazons and other books by Arthur Ransome
The Midnight Folk by John Masefield
The Hobbit by J.R.R.Tolkien
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Anne of Green Gables by L.M.Montgomery
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
(3) Shakespeare (Weekly)
Suggested plays (others of your choice can be substituted):
Year Two
-
-
- Term 1: Henry V
- Term 2: Julius Caesar
- Term 3: Twelfth Night
See notes on How to Study Shakespeare
Recommended Resources:
Re-tellings of Shakespeare plays
Choose from:
-
-
- Tales from Shakespeare: Children’s Classics by Charles and Mary Lamb
- Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare by E.Nesbit
- The Random House Book of Shakespeare Stories by Andrew Matthews [UK Title: The Orchard Book of Shakespeare Stories]
Books about Shakespeare
Choose from:
-
-
-
William Shakespeare: His Work and His World by Michael Rosen
-
Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare by Diane Stanley
Books about plays and teaching notes:
-
-
-
Shakespeare and Macbeth by Stewart Ross
-
Shakespeare Made Easy: The Tempest; Macbeth; Henry V; Julius Caesar; Twelfth Night
(4) Poetry (Weekly)
The Harp and Laurel Wreath: Poetry and Dictation for the Classical Curriculum by Laura Berquist: Grammatical Stage
At this level The Harp and the Laurel Wreath has a lot of poems related to American history. To give a wider selection of British poetry add The Oxford Treasury of Classic Poems.
+ NATIONAL HISTORY (twice weekly; additional book ad.lib.)
At this level, children should begin to keep a Book of Centuries. They will record in it for the rest of their school years. (See The Book of Centuries Revisited for more information)
Option 1: Introduction to British History (Recommended option at this level for American users)
(N) *Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall (Notes on Our Island Story)
(N) *Our Lady’s Dowry by Kathryn Faulkner.
Recommended additional book each term, to be read either aloud or independently outside lesson time.
See additional schedule, suggestions for further reading and British History Reading Plans.
or Finish three year course in American history. If your child has not done Level 1 you may prefer to use Option 2
Option 2: Introduction to American History
(N) * From Sea to Shining Sea (The Catholic School Textbook Project)
Recommended additional book each term, to be read either aloud or independently outside lesson time.
Option 3: History Cycle for Australian Students
See Australian history outline.
Year 1: American History
(N) * From Sea to Shining Sea (Catholic Textbook Project)
Year 2: Australian History
Arthur Baillie, Our Sunburnt Country: An Illustrated History of Australia [Out of print – available second-hand]
OR H.E. Marshall, Our Empire Story [available online]
+ ANCIENT HISTORY (twice weekly)
Year 2: Ancient Rome
(N) * Famous Men of Rome by John Haaren
-
-
- Term 1: Romulus to Cincinnatus
- Term 2: Camillus to Pompey the Great
- Term 3: Julius Caesar to End of the Western Empire
Each chapter can be spread over two lessons, or can be read and narrated in a single lesson leaving the other free for further reading or working on a book of centuries.
Alternative Option:
Children and families who want to study Roman history in greater detail may prefer to use
(N) The Story of the Romans by Hélène Guerber. This would require three lessons each week, with one chapter read and narrated per lesson.
Recommended Reference Materials
Ancient Rome Timeline
Usborne Encyclopedia of the Ancient World
Optional Extra
Usborne Time Traveller: Rome and Romans
Further reading according to interest – see Ancient Rome Booklist
+ GEOGRAPHY AND EARTH STUDIES
Note: Please read our introduction to geography study and the Charlotte Mason method.
(1) American Geography (Twice weekly)
(N) Year Two: * Tree in the Trail and * Minn of the Mississippi by Holling C.Holling
Recommended Extra
Paddle to the Sea on Google Maps
Holling C. Holling Geography Map Set of 4
Optional Extra Reading
Maps: Getting from Here to There by Harvey Weiss
Adventures in Geography by Gertrude Alice Kay – an 11 year old boy and his uncle sail around the world
UK Alternative (Twice weekly)
Year Two: American Geography
Paddle to the Sea and Minn of the Mississippi by Holling C. Holling
Recommended Reference Book
The Oxford Junior Atlas (pub.OUP)
Optional Extra Reading
Seabird by Holling C. Holling
(2) Peoples and Places (Ad.Lib.)
Choose one book each term from the selection for independent reading.
Year Two: Africa
Hippos in the Night: Autobiographical Adventures in Africa by Christina Allen
Africatrek: A Journey by Bicycle Through Africa by Dan Buettner
Journey to Jo’burg by Beverley Naidoo (South Africa) – fiction
Jock of the Bushveldt by Sir J.Percy Fitzpatrick (South Africa) – classic fiction about a dog
(3) Map Work (Weekly)
Focus particularly on the map of the Americas in the 1st Year and the map of Africa in the 2nd Year. Aim to be able to quickly name and locate countries, capital and other major cities, important rivers and mountain ranges.
Spend a short time each week locating places mentioned in reading for other subjects.
+ SCIENCE (twice weekly)
Year Two: Science in Ancient Rome and the Human Body
(N) * Science in Ancient Rome by Jacqueline Harris
(N) * Galen and the Gateway to Medicine by Jeanne Bendick
(N) * Blood and Guts by Linda Allison
* The Body Book by Donald M. Silver and Patricia J. Wynne
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Option 1: Spanish
* Learn Spanish With Grace by Miriam Alvarez Gallaher
Option 2: French
* First Start French (Memoria Press)
UK Options
Option 1: Spanish
So You Really Want to Learn Spanish Book 1 (Galore Park)
Option 2: French
So You Really Want to Learn French Book 1 (Galore Park)
Use over two years. CD and answer book also available.
Alternative
* Skoldo French Book 2
Year 1: Term 1, pp.1-8; Term 2, pp.9-16; Term 3, pp.17-25
Year 2: Term 1, pp.26-33; Term 2, pp.34-42; Term 3, pp.43-50
If your child has not yet started French you will need to begin with Skoldo Book 1. Aim to complete this book in four terms and you will catch up by the end of Level 3.
Optional Extra Resources
Watch a favorite DVD in French. Many DVDs have French as one of the language options.
LATIN (Year 2 only)
Option 1: Intensive Approach
Note: This is equivalent to the schedule used by the Parents’ Union Schools in the 1960s. This option is recommended for academically oriented children requiring a challenge and will enable children to read Latin texts in the original during high school. It requires a teacher familiar with Latin, or who is prepared to commit time and effort to master the material alongside the child.
* Henle Latin I Units 1 and 2
Option 2: Gentler Approach
UK Alternative
Option 1: Intensive Approach
Note: This is the schedule used by the Parents’ Union Schools in the 1960s. O Level Latin was taken at the end of Approach to Latin Part 2. The standard achieved was roughly equivalent to the current A level standard. This option is recommended for academically oriented children requiring a challenge and will enable children to read Latin texts in the original. It requires a teacher familiar with Latin, or who is prepared to commit time and effort to master the material alongside the child.
* The Approach to Latin, First Part by J.Paterson and E.Macnaughton: pp.4-57 (cover about 18 pages each term)
Option 2: Gentler Approach
NATURE STUDY
(1) Take at least one nature walk each week.
(2) Keep a nature journal.
Recommended Resources:
Keeping a Nature Journal by Claire Walker Leslie and Charles E.Roth
Wild Days: Creating Discovery Journals by Karen Rackliffe
Optional Extra Reading:
Secrets of the Animal World by Eulalia Garcia (series)
Natural Partnerships: The Story of Symbiosis by Dorothy Shuttlesworth
See also: Notes on Nature Study
Other Resources
Discovering Nature Indoors ed. Laurence Pringle
MUSIC APPRECIATION
(weekly)
*Music Masters: Handel, Beethoven, Wagner, Dvorak, Haydn and Vivaldi/Corelli. CDs can also be bought separately as The Story of Handel etc. Study one composer each term. Follow up each Music Masters CD by listening to complete works by the featured composer.
Note: Other Music Masters CDs can be substituted so that all children in a family can study the same composer.
Recommended Resource: Masters of Classical Music (Box Set) – economical set of 10 CDs, each featuring works by a different composer. Ideal as follow up listening to the Music Masters CDs (includes Beethoven, Wagner and Vivaldi).
PICTURE STUDY
(weekly)
Year 1: Gothic and Renaissance Art
-
-
- Term 1: Giotto di Bondone and Saint Fra Angelico
- Term 2: Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli
- Term 3: Michelangelo Buonarotti and Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)
Year 2: English Romantics
-
-
- Term 1: George Stubbs and Thomas Gainsborough
- Term 2: Joseph Mallord William Turner
- Term 3: John Constable
See also: Notes on Picture Study
Optional Extra: Art Fraud Detective by Anna Nilsen
ART
(Twice weekly)
Artistic Pursuits: Grades 4-6, Book One: The Elements of Art and Composition
This can be used slowly over two years, or started in the second year of Level 2.
Recommended Resources:
Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters by Mary Ann Kohl and Kim Solga – lots of art projects in the style of great artists. All projects are given a rating for both difficulty and the amount of preparation required.
The Usborne Book of Art Skills by Fiona Watt – lots of simple but effective projects, using a variety of media
[UK] Artists Workshop Series by Penny King and Clare Roundhill – pictures of different works of art and styles are used as the inspiration for art activities for children.
MUSIC
(1) Singing
Learn two new songs and two new hymns of your choice each term.
(2) Instrumental (Daily practice)
If you have a piano or keyboard available, either start or continue learning to play it. Two beginners’ piano programs that can be used independently are:
Beginning at the Piano books, by Alan Jemison (Catholic)
Bastien Piano Series.
Alternatively either continue or start learning to play the recorder. A good starting point is the The New Nine-Note Recorder Method: Easy Music for Beginners by Penny Gardner.
Optional Extras
The Usborne Book of Easy Recorder Tunes
Easy Duets for Catholics: A Nine-Note Recorder Book by Penny Gardner
Easy Christmas Duets: A Nine-Note Recorder Book by Penny Gardner
PRACTICAL WORK
- Help in house and yard (garden).
- Work on learning a practical craft or skill of your choice.
UK Resource: Opitec sells a wide range of reasonably priced craft kits, projects and hobby materials.
+ Subjects considered to be essential at this level. Other subjects should be included if at all possible to give a broad Charlotte Mason style education.
(N) Books/subjects intended for narration.
* Key curriculum – books considered to be key parts of the curriculum are shown in bold type and marked with an asterisk.
Highly Recommended materials/subjects are shown in bold. These should be included if possible, but are not essential.
Optional extras – optional books and suggestions are shown in italics
Selections listed in bright blue are alternatives for home educators in the UK
History Cycle for Australian students [provided by Ruth Marshall]
At this level most lessons should last around 20 – 30 minutes.
+ RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
(1) New Testament
Year Two (Weekly, Ordinary Time only)
(N) * Speak Lord I am Listening by Christine Haapala
UK: (N)* An Illustrated Rosary by John Udris (published by Family Publications)
Note: Both of these booklets include the Luminous Mysteries and are illustrated with beautiful artwork.
Read and narrate the Bible passage for each mystery of the Rosary. Written narrations can be used to make the student’s own Rosary book. One mystery to be studied each week. Older students can also use the meditations (UK students can also look up the additional Bible and Catechism references in the Family Publications booklet).
(2) Saints (Year One: Twice weekly, Ordinary Time only; Year Two: Twice weekly in Ordinary Time, Weekly for the rest of the year)
(N) * 57 Stories of Saints by Anne Heffernan
Note: Please preview the contents of the chapters on St. Dymphna (1st Year) and St. Maria Goretti (2nd Year). If you feel that the nature of the stories and the way in which they are told are inappropriate for your child, they can be omitted. The older version 57 Saints does not have the same problematic content, but has a few different saints.
OR The Young People’s Book of Saints by Hugh Ross Williamson
Year Two
-
- Term 1: pp. 221-340, St. Bernardine of Siena to St. Germaine (21 lessons)
- Term 2: pp. 341-448, St. Martin de Porres to St. Bartholomea (18 lessons)
- Term 3: pp. 449-554, St. John Bosco to Bl. James Alberione (18 lessons)
Recommended Reading:
One saint’s biography to be assigned as independent reading each term.
(3) Catechism (Weekly)
(N) * Faith and Life Series (pub. Ignatius Press). Read, narrate and discuss one lesson each week.
Year Two: *Credo: I Believe, Faith and Life Series, Grade 5
-
-
- Term 1: Lessons 1-11
- Term 2: Lessons 12-21 plus Celebrating the Church Year (Appendix)
- Term 3: Lessons 22-30
-
Optional Extras: Jesus Our Guide activity book 4 and Credo: I Believe activity book 5
(4) Advent (Twice weekly)
Stories of the Child Jesus from Many Lands by A. Fowler Lutz. Read one story for each lesson. (Use over both years)
(5) Lent (Twice weekly)
Year Two: The Way of the Cross by Inos Biffi
-
- Week 1: pp. 8-10
- Week 2: pp. 12-15
- Week 3: pp. 16-19
- Week 4: pp. 20-23
- Week 5: pp. 24-33
- Week 6: pp. 34-45
(6) Easter (Twice weekly)
Year Two: Our Lady’s Book by Lauren Ford (Out of print but widely available from used booksellers)
+ MATHEMATICS
(1) Work through any math program of your choice at a pace appropriate for your child. Short daily lessons lasting 20 -25 minutes should be enough.
(2) Five minutes of daily drill in math(s) facts, particularly multiplication tables.
(3) Mathematical reading and activities from How Math Works by Carol Vorderman
+ ENGLISH
(1) Reading (Daily)
The books set for Level 2 for history, religion, geography, literature, and science should normally be read by the child, either aloud to you or independently.
(2) Writing and Composition
(a) Copywork (10 minutes daily)
Copy two lines daily from favorite poems, prayers, Bible passages or the Shakespeare play being studied.
Recommended Resources:
The Harp and the Laurel Wreath by Laura Berquist
Shakespeare quotations suitable for copywork.
Suggested Activity: When the whole item has been copied illustrate it, decorate it, cover it with contact paper and use it as a place mat.
(b) Composition (Daily)
Regular written narrations from books set for history, religion, geography, literature and science.
(3) Grammar / English Language (three times weekly)
* Intermediate Language Lessons by Emma Serl
Year Two:
-
- Term 1: Lessons 151-200, pp. 160-209
- Term 2: Lessons 201-250, pp. 209-260
- Term 3: Lessons 251-301, pp. 261-316
UK Alternative
-
-
- Year Two: English Prep 3 (published by Galore Park)
-
(4) Studied Dictation (Twice weekly)
Short paragraphs or passages to be dictated from a section (two or three paragraphs) of a history, literature, geography or religion book that has been studied in advance.
+ LITERATURE
(1) Mythology (Weekly)
(N) * The Children’s Homer by Padraic Colum
(N) * The Aeneid for Boys and Girls by Alfred J.Church
Year Two:
-
- Term 1: Children’s Homer – Odyssey: Chapters 8 to 17
- Term 2: Aeneid – The Horse of Wood to The Plots of Juno
- Term 3: Aeneid – The Gathering of the Chiefs to Afterwards
Optional Further Reading: D’Aulaires’ Greek Myths by Edgar and Ingri D’Aulaire
(2) Classic Children’s Literature (Ad.Lib.)
Choose at least one book each term from the selection to read aloud. Not for narration, just read and enjoy!
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Swallows and Amazons and other books by Arthur Ransome
The Midnight Folk by John Masefield
The Hobbit by J.R.R.Tolkien
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Anne of Green Gables by L.M.Montgomery
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
(3) Shakespeare (Weekly)
Suggested plays (others of your choice can be substituted):
Year Two
-
-
- Term 1: Henry V
- Term 2: Julius Caesar
- Term 3: Twelfth Night
-
See notes on How to Study Shakespeare
Recommended Resources:
Re-tellings of Shakespeare plays
Choose from:
-
-
- Tales from Shakespeare: Children’s Classics by Charles and Mary Lamb
- Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare by E.Nesbit
- The Random House Book of Shakespeare Stories by Andrew Matthews [UK Title: The Orchard Book of Shakespeare Stories]
-
Books about Shakespeare
Choose from:
-
-
-
William Shakespeare: His Work and His World by Michael Rosen
-
Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare by Diane Stanley
-
-
Books about plays and teaching notes:
-
-
-
Shakespeare and Macbeth by Stewart Ross
-
Shakespeare Made Easy: The Tempest; Macbeth; Henry V; Julius Caesar; Twelfth Night
-
-
(4) Poetry (Weekly)
The Harp and Laurel Wreath: Poetry and Dictation for the Classical Curriculum by Laura Berquist: Grammatical Stage
At this level The Harp and the Laurel Wreath has a lot of poems related to American history. To give a wider selection of British poetry add The Oxford Treasury of Classic Poems.
+ NATIONAL HISTORY (twice weekly; additional book ad.lib.)
At this level, children should begin to keep a Book of Centuries. They will record in it for the rest of their school years. (See The Book of Centuries Revisited for more information)
Option 1: Introduction to British History (Recommended option at this level for American users)
(N) *Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall (Notes on Our Island Story)
(N) *Our Lady’s Dowry by Kathryn Faulkner.
Recommended additional book each term, to be read either aloud or independently outside lesson time.
See additional schedule, suggestions for further reading and British History Reading Plans.
or Finish three year course in American history. If your child has not done Level 1 you may prefer to use Option 2
Option 2: Introduction to American History
(N) * From Sea to Shining Sea (The Catholic School Textbook Project)
Recommended additional book each term, to be read either aloud or independently outside lesson time.
Option 3: History Cycle for Australian Students
See Australian history outline.
Year 1: American History
(N) * From Sea to Shining Sea (Catholic Textbook Project)
Year 2: Australian History
Arthur Baillie, Our Sunburnt Country: An Illustrated History of Australia [Out of print – available second-hand]
OR H.E. Marshall, Our Empire Story [available online]
+ ANCIENT HISTORY (twice weekly)
Year 2: Ancient Rome
(N) * Famous Men of Rome by John Haaren
-
-
- Term 1: Romulus to Cincinnatus
- Term 2: Camillus to Pompey the Great
- Term 3: Julius Caesar to End of the Western Empire
-
Each chapter can be spread over two lessons, or can be read and narrated in a single lesson leaving the other free for further reading or working on a book of centuries.
Alternative Option:
Children and families who want to study Roman history in greater detail may prefer to use
(N) The Story of the Romans by Hélène Guerber. This would require three lessons each week, with one chapter read and narrated per lesson.
Recommended Reference Materials
Ancient Rome Timeline
Usborne Encyclopedia of the Ancient World
Optional Extra
Usborne Time Traveller: Rome and Romans
Further reading according to interest – see Ancient Rome Booklist
+ GEOGRAPHY AND EARTH STUDIES
Note: Please read our introduction to geography study and the Charlotte Mason method.
(1) American Geography (Twice weekly)
(N) Year Two: * Tree in the Trail and * Minn of the Mississippi by Holling C.Holling
Recommended Extra
Paddle to the Sea on Google Maps
Holling C. Holling Geography Map Set of 4
Optional Extra Reading
Maps: Getting from Here to There by Harvey Weiss
Adventures in Geography by Gertrude Alice Kay – an 11 year old boy and his uncle sail around the world
UK Alternative (Twice weekly)
Year Two: American Geography
Paddle to the Sea and Minn of the Mississippi by Holling C. Holling
Recommended Reference Book
The Oxford Junior Atlas (pub.OUP)
Optional Extra Reading
Seabird by Holling C. Holling
(2) Peoples and Places (Ad.Lib.)
Choose one book each term from the selection for independent reading.
Year Two: Africa
Hippos in the Night: Autobiographical Adventures in Africa by Christina Allen
Africatrek: A Journey by Bicycle Through Africa by Dan Buettner
Journey to Jo’burg by Beverley Naidoo (South Africa) – fiction
Jock of the Bushveldt by Sir J.Percy Fitzpatrick (South Africa) – classic fiction about a dog
(3) Map Work (Weekly)
Focus particularly on the map of the Americas in the 1st Year and the map of Africa in the 2nd Year. Aim to be able to quickly name and locate countries, capital and other major cities, important rivers and mountain ranges.
Spend a short time each week locating places mentioned in reading for other subjects.
+ SCIENCE (twice weekly)
Year Two: Science in Ancient Rome and the Human Body
(N) * Science in Ancient Rome by Jacqueline Harris
(N) * Galen and the Gateway to Medicine by Jeanne Bendick
(N) * Blood and Guts by Linda Allison
* The Body Book by Donald M. Silver and Patricia J. Wynne
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Option 1: Spanish
* Learn Spanish With Grace by Miriam Alvarez Gallaher
Option 2: French
* First Start French (Memoria Press)
UK Options
Option 1: Spanish
So You Really Want to Learn Spanish Book 1 (Galore Park)
Option 2: French
So You Really Want to Learn French Book 1 (Galore Park)
Use over two years. CD and answer book also available.
Alternative
* Skoldo French Book 2
Year 1: Term 1, pp.1-8; Term 2, pp.9-16; Term 3, pp.17-25
Year 2: Term 1, pp.26-33; Term 2, pp.34-42; Term 3, pp.43-50
If your child has not yet started French you will need to begin with Skoldo Book 1. Aim to complete this book in four terms and you will catch up by the end of Level 3.
Optional Extra Resources
Watch a favorite DVD in French. Many DVDs have French as one of the language options.
LATIN (Year 2 only)
Option 1: Intensive Approach
Note: This is equivalent to the schedule used by the Parents’ Union Schools in the 1960s. This option is recommended for academically oriented children requiring a challenge and will enable children to read Latin texts in the original during high school. It requires a teacher familiar with Latin, or who is prepared to commit time and effort to master the material alongside the child.
* Henle Latin I Units 1 and 2
Option 2: Gentler Approach
UK Alternative
Option 1: Intensive Approach
Note: This is the schedule used by the Parents’ Union Schools in the 1960s. O Level Latin was taken at the end of Approach to Latin Part 2. The standard achieved was roughly equivalent to the current A level standard. This option is recommended for academically oriented children requiring a challenge and will enable children to read Latin texts in the original. It requires a teacher familiar with Latin, or who is prepared to commit time and effort to master the material alongside the child.
* The Approach to Latin, First Part by J.Paterson and E.Macnaughton: pp.4-57 (cover about 18 pages each term)
Option 2: Gentler Approach
NATURE STUDY
(1) Take at least one nature walk each week.
(2) Keep a nature journal.
Recommended Resources:
Keeping a Nature Journal by Claire Walker Leslie and Charles E.Roth
Wild Days: Creating Discovery Journals by Karen Rackliffe
Optional Extra Reading:
Secrets of the Animal World by Eulalia Garcia (series)
Natural Partnerships: The Story of Symbiosis by Dorothy Shuttlesworth
See also: Notes on Nature Study
Other Resources
Discovering Nature Indoors ed. Laurence Pringle
MUSIC APPRECIATION
(weekly)
*Music Masters: Handel, Beethoven, Wagner, Dvorak, Haydn and Vivaldi/Corelli. CDs can also be bought separately as The Story of Handel etc. Study one composer each term. Follow up each Music Masters CD by listening to complete works by the featured composer.
Note: Other Music Masters CDs can be substituted so that all children in a family can study the same composer.
Recommended Resource: Masters of Classical Music (Box Set) – economical set of 10 CDs, each featuring works by a different composer. Ideal as follow up listening to the Music Masters CDs (includes Beethoven, Wagner and Vivaldi).
PICTURE STUDY
(weekly)
Year 1: Gothic and Renaissance Art
-
-
- Term 1: Giotto di Bondone and Saint Fra Angelico
- Term 2: Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli
- Term 3: Michelangelo Buonarotti and Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)
-
Year 2: English Romantics
-
-
- Term 1: George Stubbs and Thomas Gainsborough
- Term 2: Joseph Mallord William Turner
- Term 3: John Constable
-
See also: Notes on Picture Study
Optional Extra: Art Fraud Detective by Anna Nilsen
ART
(Twice weekly)
Artistic Pursuits: Grades 4-6, Book One: The Elements of Art and Composition
This can be used slowly over two years, or started in the second year of Level 2.
Recommended Resources:
Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters by Mary Ann Kohl and Kim Solga – lots of art projects in the style of great artists. All projects are given a rating for both difficulty and the amount of preparation required.
The Usborne Book of Art Skills by Fiona Watt – lots of simple but effective projects, using a variety of media
[UK] Artists Workshop Series by Penny King and Clare Roundhill – pictures of different works of art and styles are used as the inspiration for art activities for children.
MUSIC
(1) Singing
Learn two new songs and two new hymns of your choice each term.
(2) Instrumental (Daily practice)
If you have a piano or keyboard available, either start or continue learning to play it. Two beginners’ piano programs that can be used independently are:
Beginning at the Piano books, by Alan Jemison (Catholic)
Bastien Piano Series.
Alternatively either continue or start learning to play the recorder. A good starting point is the The New Nine-Note Recorder Method: Easy Music for Beginners by Penny Gardner.
Optional Extras
The Usborne Book of Easy Recorder Tunes
Easy Duets for Catholics: A Nine-Note Recorder Book by Penny Gardner
Easy Christmas Duets: A Nine-Note Recorder Book by Penny Gardner
PRACTICAL WORK
- Help in house and yard (garden).
- Work on learning a practical craft or skill of your choice.
UK Resource: Opitec sells a wide range of reasonably priced craft kits, projects and hobby materials.
