Scroll to end of syllabus for 36 week chart.
General Instructions
+ 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 30 – 45 minutes.
Mater Amabilis participates in affiliate programs with Amazon and Living Book Press.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION +
(1) (N) * Ignatius Study Bible (choose one)
- Matthew [Amaz][Publisher]
- Mark [Amaz][Publisher]
- Luke [Amaz][Publisher]
- John [Amaz][Publisher]
- The Word on Fire Bible: The Gospels [Amaz][Publisher] or a Bible of your choice (weekly)
(N) Read one entire Gospel each year.
Choose from *Matthew, Mark or Luke to tie in with Liturgical Year A, B, or C as appropriate. We recommend choosing the one that will begin in Advent of the upcoming school year. You may choose John as an alternate. This Aleteia article explains how to determine the liturgical year.
Optional Extra:
- Life of Christ, Lectio Divina Journal [Publisher]
Recommended Resource for the Gospel of Matthew: Reading the Old Testament in the New: The Gospel of Matthew and Proclaiming the Kingdom: The Gospel of Matthew – A Ten Lesson Audio Bible Study Course
Also: Bible Memory Work – memorize one verse from each week’s lesson
(2) Catechism
(N) Introduction to Catholicism: A Complete Course [Amaz][Publisher] 1st or 2nd Edition (3x/week) Lesson checklist
(N) * Our Life in the Church [Amaz][Publisher] – Faith and Life Series 8 (weekly)
Read, narrate and discuss one lesson each week.
(3) Saints and Catholic Heroes (ad. lib.)
One biography to be assigned as independent reading each term. Choose books about saints and topics from the following list (or any other twentieth century saints of your choice):
Term 1:
- Blessed Miguel Pro
- Blessed Charles of Austria
- Fatima
Term 2:
- Maximilian Kolbe
- Edith Stein
- Saint Faustina
Term 3:
- Blessed Gianna Molla
- Saint Padre Pio
- Blessed Mother Teresa
- Saint Jóse Maria Escriva
- Pope John Paul II
- Blessed Stanley Rother
Note: Most of the available books about these saints were written for adults. We have not been able to pre-read all these books for suitability for this age group, but the following titles may be worth trying:
- Blessed Miguel Pro: 20th Century Martyr, Ball [Amaz][Publisher]
- A Heart for Europe, Bogle [Amaz] (story of Blessed Charles of Austria and Empress Zita)
- Children of Fatima, Madigan [Amaz]
- Edith Stein, Woman of Prayer, Mosely [Amaz]
- The Last Days of Maximilian Kolbe, Lorit [Amaz]
- Stories of Padre Pio, Tangari [Amaz]
- Stories of Karol: the Unknown Life of John Paul II, Svidercoschi [Amaz]
- Mother Teresa’s Lessons of Love, Conroy [Amaz]
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Maasburg [Amaz]
- The Shepherd Who Didn’t Run, Scaperlanda [Amaz]
(4) Lent (3x/week for 6 weeks)
Boys to Men: The Transforming Power of Virtue, Gray and Martin [Amaz]
Note: Although this book is written primarily for young men, we feel that its message is applicable to both young men and young ladies.
(5) Easter (3x/week for 6 weeks)
(N) A Philadelphia Catholic in King James’s Court, Kennedy [Amaz]
Optional Extra:
A Philadelphia Catholic in King James’s Court: Discussion/Study Guide [Amaz]
Catholic Culture (independent reading ad.lib.)
Term 1: The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, Von Trapp [Amaz] (alternative title: The Sound of Music)
Term 2: He Leadeth Me, Ciszek [Amaz]
Term 3: We’re On a Mission From God, Bonacci [Amaz]
MATHEMATICS +
Continue with your preferred math program
ENGLISH +
(1) 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 Laurel Wreath, Berquist [Amaz][Publisher]
Shakespeare quotations suitable for copywork.
(b) Composition (daily)
Regular written narrations from books set for history, religion, geography, literature and science.
Composition Program options:
- Lingua Mater Americana, Davidson [Amaz][Publisher on Bookshop]
- Grammar of Poetry, Whitling [Amaz]
- complete Lingua Mater, Davidson, from Level 3 if not finished [Amaz][Publisher on Bookshop]
(2) Grammar / English Language (2x/week)
Choose from one of the following grammar programs, or another of your choice, or complete Lingua Mater from Level 3.
- Lingua Mater Americana, Davidson [Amaz][Publisher on Bookshop] (includes composition)
- Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition – Third Course, Warriner (out of print) [Amaz][Internet Archive]
- Winston Grammar [Publisher]
- 7 Sisters’ Middle School Writing [Publisher]
(3) Studied Dictation (Twice weekly)
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) Classic Twentieth Century Literature
Choose one book each term
Term 1:
- The Complete Father Brown Stories, Chesterton [Amaz] (selections) or Father Brown: The Essential Tales, Chesterton [Amaz]
- Goodbye Mr Chips, Hilton [Amaz]
Term 2:
Term 3:
- The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings, Tolkein [Amaz]
(2) Shakespeare (weekly)
One of the following plays to be studied each term:
- Term 1: Much Ado about Nothing
- Term 2: Merchant of Venice
- Term 3: Two Gentlemen of Verona
See notes on How to Study Shakespeare
Recommended Resources:
Shakespeare Made Easy by Muriel J. Morris [Amaz]
How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare by Ken Ludwig [Amaz]
(3) Tales (New addition)
Continuing the study of mythology and folk tales from Levels 1-3, students read and narrate the tales and myths of various regions and time periods. The following are suggestions; feel free to substitute with the tales of another culture. Read and narrate.
- Semester 1: American Indian Myths and Legends
The Girl Who Helped Thunder by Joseph Bruchac [Amaz]
- Semester 2: African American Folktales
The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon [Amaz]
(4) Poetry
Continue to follow the plan for Poetry Levels 1-4.
Alternatively, you may focus on these topics:
- Term 1: G.K. Chesterton; World War I Poets
- Term 2: T. S. Eliot
- Term 3: Robert Frost
(5) Further Reading Suggestions
Here are a few suggestions for recommended reading at this age. These are not for assignments or narrations, but you may find them worthy additions to your home library.
- A Long Way from Welcome by Echo Lewis [Amaz]
- The Weka-Feather Cloak by Leo Madigan [Amaz][Publisher]
- The Bank of Infinite Reserves by Leo Madigan [Amaz]
- The Rose Round by Meriol Trevor [Amaz][Publisher]
- The Shadow of the Bear by Regina Doman [Amaz]
- Black as Night by Regina Doman [Amaz]
- They Loved to Laugh by Kathryn Worth [Amaz][Publisher]
TWENTIETH CENTURY HISTORY +
(3x/week; additional reading ad.lib.)
This year’s history study will focus on the twentieth century. See 20th Century World History lesson plans. The first term should be spent on a study of the student’s own country using one of the following books:
US: * The Century for Young People by Peter Jennings [Amaz]
UK: * Young Oxford History of Britain and Ireland, Section 5: A Century of Change [Amaz]
Australia: Either (1) choose six separate six-week studies; (2) study 20th century Britain or America; or (3) spend twelve weeks studying 20th century Australia.
During the second and third terms four six-week studies are to be chosen from a range of topics including the First and Second World Wars, Russia, China and the Middle East.
For booklists and details of these studies see our history schedule.
For more information on history lessons, see History overview.
CURRENT AFFAIRS +
Online: Catholic World News
Catholic Exchange
Catholic Culture
CITIZENSHIP / CIVICS +
(2x/week)
Students at Level 4 continue the study of citizenship begun in Level 3 through reading Plutarch’s Lives. Students learn through example in these short biographies ideas of character, citizenship, duty, and civil service.
Read and narrate the lives of famous Greeks and Romans. Proper names can be written on the board or a paper to facilitate narration.
Lives from Plutarch by John McFarland, Pleasant Graves, and Audrey Graves [Amaz][Publisher on Bookshop]
This accessible translation is perfect for middle and early high school readers.
- Term 1: Lycurgus
- Term 2: Alcibiades
- Term 3: Coriolanus
You may read through this book more quickly. Families have read as little as these three lives in Level 4 and as much as the entire book in Level 4.
GEOGRAPHY AND EARTH STUDIES +
(1) Exploration
(2x/week)
30-40 minutes, continued from Level 3.
Lesson Plans for Level 3 & 4 Geography: History of Exploration
KEY TEXTS
A Book of Discovery by M. B. Synge [Amaz][Internet Archive][Project Gutenberg][Publisher]
Note: The book has also been republished in an updated edition, though that one is harder to find. The plans below are based on the Yesterday’s Classics edition, which is linked above.
The book is a challenge for most first year Level 3 students, but it is a challenge we have found worthwhile. In many ways, the earliest chapters are the most difficult. The lesson plans below move very slowly in the beginning to give the student time to adjust. By the end of the third year, students are usually reading and narrating it quite well, even at a much faster pace. Feel free to slow down even more or read it aloud if your student has trouble narrating it at first.
Recommended resource:
Mater Amabilis: A Study Guide for A Book of Discovery – This study guide is designed to be printed double-sided as a consumable for the student.
Mapping activities using the study guide precede reading assignments. Students will use an atlas, globe, or other resource to complete the mapping activity. Keep the map open while reading the assigned pages. The student may want to reference the map while narrating the reading. Narrations at this level may be oral or written.
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing (Level 4 only) [Amaz]
Note: If the student has already read Endurance, these are excellent alternatives:
- Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific in a Raft by Thor Heyerdahl [Amaz]
- The Brendan Voyage: Sailing to America in a Leather Boat to Prove the Legend of the Irish Sailor Saints by Tim Severin [Amaz]
(2) Geography of Europe (2x weekly)
Students will study the maps of and read about the countries, boundaries, and geographical features of the European continent. See Level 4 Geography of Europe lesson plans.
KEY TEXTS
A Living Geography: Europe by Jill Papsdorf – a PDF provided free for Mater Amabilis families, not to be sold or modified for sale. A middle school geography course by Jill Papsdorf inspired by Geographical Readers for Middle Class and Elementary Schools Book IV for Standard V The Countries of Europe.
Maps from d-maps.com (free, linked in this document, printed by the parent or student)
Atlas of your choice
Globe of your choice
Optional: National Geographic subscription (digital or print; see note)
Note: In Level 4, students should begin to read more widely about the world. In the lesson plans, articles related to the mapwork are linked. Sometimes these are National Geographic articles, which require a subscription. In each instance, a non-subscription alternative is provided.
If you prefer, the student may instead choose to read an article of his or her choice from the most recent print issue of National Geographic or from an older issue you have available.
Note: In addition, students should locate places mentioned in the week’s reading and places in the news.
(3) Geology (2x/week)
Schedule of Lessons: Level 3 & 4 Geology
Two year integrated study begun in Level 3 Year 2.
A Doorway of Amethyst by Mary Daly [Publisher] – Note: This text has become difficult to order as the only store is unresponsive. While the Catholic content of the book is excellent, you may simply omit these lessons and use only The Field Guide to Geology.
The Field Guide to Geology by David Lambert [Amaz]
Many of the narrations in these books lend themselves to written narrations of sketches or drawings and notes. Those would be acceptable as an alternative or supplement to an oral narration.
Recommended reading:
Level 3 Year 2:
- Rocks, Gems and Minerals (A Golden Guide) by Paul Shaffer and Herbert Zim [Amaz]
- The Ghost Lake: The True Story of Louis Agassiz, by John Hudson Tiner [Amaz] – This book was recently independently re-published and we have not verified the quality of the paperback. You may wish to purchase the Kindle version.
NATURE STUDY +
(1) Take at least one nature walk each week.
(2) Keep a nature journal.
Nature Reading (ad. lib.)
Term 1:
- A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter [Amaz][Internet Archive][Project Gutenberg]
- This book has been extensively reprinted recently. This edition that includes Freckles may be a good option. [Amaz]
- OR My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George [Amaz]
Term 2: My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell [Amaz]
Term 3: All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot [Amaz]
SCIENCE +
(3x/week)
At this level students will continue the study of science begun in Level 3. Experiments, demonstrations and further reading are woven into the course to enable students to build an understanding of scientific principles. Themes studied include mechanics, electricity, waves, and weather.
WEATHER
The Weather Book by Eric Sloane [Amaz]
Thames/Kosmos Climate & Weather Science Kit [Amaz]
If this weather kit is unavailable, we recommend you find similar activities online.
WAVES and ELECTRICITY
Waves: Principles of Light, Electricity and Magnetism by Paul Fleisher [Amaz][Publisher]
TOPScience #32 Electricity (Book or ebook and Starter Kit 32*) [Publisher]
*Starter kits have all the supplies you need for the demonstrations and experiments and are highly recommended.
DK Eyewitness Book: Electricity by Steve Parker [Amaz]
RELATIVITY and QUANTUM MECHANICS
Relativity and Quantum Mechanics: Principles of Modern Physics by Paul Fleisher [Amaz][Publisher]
The Time and Space of Uncle Albert by Russell Stannard [Amaz]
ENGINEERING and FAITH AND REASON
The Paper Airplane Book (Simon) [Amaz]
Great Catholic Scientists: Discoveries and Lives of Faith Guy Consolmagno and Michelle Francl-Donnay [Amaz]
Smarter Every Day [YouTube channel]
TOPScience #33 Magnetism (Book or ebook and Starter Kit 33) [Publisher]
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
(2-3x/week)
Option 1: Spanish
Spanish program of your choice
Recommended Resource:
Living Spanish by R.P. Littlewood provides additional grammar coverage. [Amaz]
Option 2: French
French program of your choice.
Recommended Resource:
Living French by T.W. Knight (available from Amazon UK) provides additional grammar coverage. [Amaz]
Living German [Amaz] and Living Italian [Amaz] are also available.
LATIN
(2x/week)
Option 1: Intensive Approach
Henle Latin 1 by Robert Henle: Units 11 to 14 [Amaz]
Henle Latin 2 by Robert Henle: Lessons 1 to 20 [Amaz]
Option 2: Gentler Approach
Henle Latin 1: Progress at student’s own pace
Recommended Additional Resources:
Henle Latin Grammar by Robert Henle [Amaz]
Used all 4 years of Henle Latin
Lingua Angelica Christian Latin Reading Course by Cheryl Lowe & Paul O’Brien [Publisher][Amaz – songbook, workbook, teacher key]
UK Alternative
Option 1: Intensive Approach
The Approach to Latin, Part 2 by J.Paterson and E.Macnaughton – pp.1-88 [Amaz]
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.
Option 2: Gentler Approach
The Approach to Latin, First Part by J.Paterson and E.Macnaughton (approx.15-20 pages each term) [Amaz] – old fashioned traditional text
or So You Really Want to Learn Latin: Book 2 by N.R.R.Oulton [Amaz]
Beginners: So You Really Want to Learn Latin: Book 1 by N.R.R.Oulton [Amaz]
Note: This series from Galore Park reaches GCSE level at the end of Book 3.
Recommended Additional Resource:
Lingua Angelica: Christian Latin Reading Course by Cheryl Lowe & Paul O’Brien [Publisher][Amaz – songbook, workbook, teacher key]
PICTURE STUDY
(weekly)
One 20th century artist to be studied each term:
Term 1: Henri Matisse
Term 2: Pablo Picasso
Term 3: Marc Chagall
See also: Notes on Picture Study
MUSIC APPRECIATION
(weekly)
Select and listen to music by composers of the 20th century. See Music Appreciation overview page for more details and to see the composers and music assigned by level.
TERM 1: 20th Century British Composers
SUGGESTED WORKS:
Edward Elgar (1857-1934):
-
- Cello Concerto in E Minor,
- Variations on an Original Theme (Enigma),
- Serenade for Strings
Ralph Vaughan-Williams (1872-1958):
-
- Fantasia on Greensleeves,
- The Lark Ascending
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912):
10 of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s best pieces of music
-
- The Song of Hiawatha (Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast)
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976):
Classics for Kids biography and episodes
-
- War Requiem
William Walton:
-
- Belshazzar’s Feast
TERM 2: 20th Century European Composers
SUGGESTED WORKS:
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943):
-
- Piano Concerto No. 2
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971):
Classics for Kids biography and episodes
-
- The Rite of Spring
Gustav Holst:
Classics for Kids biography and episodes
-
- The Planets
Gustav Mahler:
-
- Symphony No.1
Sergei Prokiev:
-
- Classical Symphony
Joaquin Rodrigo:
-
- Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar and Orchestra
TERM 3: 20th Century American Composers
SUGGESTED WORKS:
Scott Joplin (1867 – 1917):
Classics for Kids biography and episodes
Historic Black Composers: Classics for Kids – Historic Black Composers
George Gershwin (1898-1937):
Classics for Kids biography and episodes
-
- Rhapsody in Blue
Florence Price (1887-1953)
-
- Concerto in One Movement
- Dances in the Canebrakes
Dances in the Canebrakes (piano only)
Dances in the Canebrakes (Arr. W.G. Still for Orchestra) : No. 1, Nimble Feet
-
- Mississippi River Suite
Aaron Copland (1900-1990):
Classics for Kids biography and episodes
-
- Appalachian Spring
- Rodeo
- Fanfare for the Common Man
Samuel Barber (1910-1981):
-
- Adagio for Strings
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990):
-
- Chichester Psalms
William Grant Still (1895-1978)
Classics for Kids biography and episodes
-
- Symphony No. 1
- Symphony No. 5.
- Afro-American Symphony
George Walker (1922-2018):
-
- Address for Orchestra
ART
(2x/week)
Artistic Pursuits offers a variety of open and go art courses for all levels. If your student has been using the series before, you may choose to continue where you left off. Here are links to the Intermediate / Middle School level books and courses.
- Classic book – book and art supplies [Amaz – Book One, Book Two]
- Books and videos – book, DVD, and art supplies
- Online / Streaming course – Core 1 or any higher course and art supplies
You may find the art supplies cheaper to gather yourself, but the kits are useful for the time-strapped parent.
MUSIC
- Continue instrumental study.
- Singing – hymns or songs of your choice.
PRACTICAL WORK
- Help in house and yard (garden).
- Work on learning a practical craft or skill of your choice.
