Mater Amabilis™

Mater Amabilis™ Level 3 Online Syllabus

Scroll to end of syllabus for 36 week charts for both years.

 

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]

See the Archived Lesson Plans page for previous versions of lesson plans.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION +

The main focus of religious education for these two years will be Bible study.

(1) New Testament (weekly)

(N) Read one entire Gospel each year. See Level 3 & 4 Gospel schedule
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. This Aleteia article explains how to determine the liturgical year.

Life of Christ, Lectio Divina Journal

(2) Old Testament (2x/weekly; not during Lent and Easter)

(N) * Bible History by Ignatius Schuster (First Part)

See Level 3 Old Testament schedule.

Year One: Ch. 1 (Creation of the World) to Ch.44 (Parting Advice of Moses - His Death)

Year Two: Ch. 45 (Entrance of the Israelites into the Promised Land) to Ch.86 (The Last Times Before Christ)

Read and narrate one chapter during each lesson.

(3) Catechism (weekly)

(N) * Faith and Life Series
Read, narrate and discuss one lesson each week.

Year One: * Faith and Life 6: Following Christ

      • Term 1: Chapters 1 to 11
      • Term 2: Chapters 12 to 21
      • Term 3: Chapters 22 to 31

Year Two: * Faith and Life 7: The Life of Grace

      • Term 1: Chapters 1 to 10
      • Term 2: Chapters 11 to 20
      • Term 3: Chapters 21 to 30

Optional Extras:

Faith and Life Activity Book 6 and Faith and Life Activity Book 7.

(4) Apologetics (weekly)

Year One: * Friendly Defenders Catholic Flash Cards

Year Two: * Friendly Defenders 2: Catholic Flash Cards

(5) Saints (Free time reading)

Choose one saint's biography each term from the Vision Books series (or any other saint biography of your choice). Where possible these should tie in with the history studies for the term.

(6) Lent and Easter Reading (2x/weekly)

Lent (6 weeks)

Year One : * Little Flowers of St.Francis
also available free online

Year Two : * Story of a Soul by St.Therese of Lisieux

Easter (6 weeks)

Year 1: * Saint Athanasius by Frances Forbes

Year 2: * Our Lady's Feasts by Sister Mary Jean Dorcy (out of print, though may be available through print on demand)

In print option: The Queen’s Festivals by Mother Mary St. Peter (may choose selections)

MATHEMATICS +

Continue with your preferred math program

ENGLISH +

(1) Grammar and Composition (4 lessons/weekly)

* Lingua Mater: Language Lessons from Literature by Margot Davidson - Answer key, Sample lessons

Year One:

      • Term 1: Weeks 1 to 6
      • Term 2: Weeks 7 to 12
      • Term 3: Weeks 12 to 18

Year Two:

      • Term 1: Weeks 19 to 24
      • Term 2: Weeks 25 to 30
      • Term 3: Weeks 31 to 36

As the course is being spread over two years, only two days lessons need be completed each week. The book makes additional lesson suggestions for those using the book over two years. These can be used if desired, but our preference would be to stick to the shorter lesson plan as your child will also be doing written narrations. Organization of the course for Lingua Mater 7.

Composition work is also to include regular written narrations from books set for history, religion, geography, literature and science.

UK Alternative

Year One:
* Grammar Skills 5 (available late 2005)

Year Two:
* Grammar Skills 6 (available late 2005)

or * English Grammar for Students (Textbook and Workbook), to be used over two years.

All published by Learners Publishing, Singapore and available from Halfmoon Books. These books use British English.

(2) Copywork (10 minutes daily)

Copy daily from favorite poems, prayers, Bible passages or the Shakespeare play being studied.

Recommended Resources:

(3) Studied Dictation (2x/weekly)

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) Classic Literature

Year One:

Year Two:

(2) Shakespeare Suggested plays (others of your choice can be substituted):

Year One:

Year Two:

Recommended Resources:

Re-tellings of Shakespeare plays.

Choose from:

Shakespeare Stories by Leon Garfield
Enchanted Island: Stories from Shakespeare by Ian Serraillier

Background reading:

Starting Shakespeare by Eric Boagey

See our Shakespeare pages for notes on selected plays.

(3) Tales (New addition)

Continuing the study of mythology and tales from levels 1 and 2, 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.

See Level 3 & 4 Tales for detailed plan.

Year One:

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green (or Age of Chivalry, Bulfinch)

Year Two:

    • Term 1: India
      Jataka Tales by Ellen Babbit
    • Term 2: Japan
      Tales of Japan: Traditional Stories of Monsters and Magic by Kotaro Chiba
    • Term 3: Australia
      Australian Legendary Tales by K. Langloh Parker (Living Book Press)

(4) Poetry

* The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura Berquist: Logic Stage
plus an individual poet to be studied each term

See new plan and schedule for Poetry Levels 1-4.

NATIONAL HISTORY +

(2x/weekly; additional book as free reading)

Continue to add to the Book of Centuries. (See The Book of Centuries Revisited for more information)

Option 1: American History

See Level 3 American History schedule. This option is suggested for American families.

(N) * From Sea to Shining Sea: the Story of America (to be studied over two years)
[Catholic Textbook Project - ISBN-13: 978-0898709612]

Year One:

      • Term 1: Chapters 1 to 3 (Discovery to California Missions)
      • Term 2: Chapters 4 to 7 (New France to 1770s)
      • Term 3: Chapters 8 to 10 (Independence)

Year Two:

      • Term 1: Chapters 11 to 14 (Frontier Church to Mexican War)
      • Term 2: Chapters 15 to 17 (Gold Rush to Civil War)
      • Term 3: Chapters 18 to 20 (Late 19th Century)

Alternate Text if not used in Level 1: (N) * This Country of Ours by H.E. Marshall (Notes on This Country of Ours)

See also: This Country of Ours Study Guide by Jill Papsdorf

Optional Resource
From Sea to Shining Sea - Teachers Manual

Choose at least one additional book each term from our recommended reading list (Free time reading)

Option 2: British History

This option is suggested for British families.

(N) * Young Oxford History of Britain and Ireland

Also available in five separate volumes An Ancient Land, Medieval Kingdoms, Crown and People, Empire and Industry and A Century of Change (only the first four are used at Level 3)

Year One:

    • * Young Oxford History Ch.1 to 14 (Prehistory to 1500)or An Ancient Land and Medieval Kingdoms
    • * Our Lady’s Dowry by Kathryn Faulkner.

Recommended Further Resources:

Caesar in Gaul and Britain (Heinemann History Eyewitness Series)
The Battle of Hastings (Scholastic Double Take Series)
Magna Charta (James Daugherty)
The Pastons in Medieval Britain (Heinemann History Eyewitness Series)

Year Two:

    • * Young Oxford History Ch.15 to 28 (1500 to 1900)or Crown and People and Empire and Industry
    • *Our Lady’s Dowry by Kathryn Faulkner.

Recommended Further Resources:

Rivals for the Crown (Scholastic Double Take Series)
Edmund Ludlow and the English Civil War (Heinemann History Eyewitness Series)
Queen Victoria (Noel Streatfeild, Landmark History Series) [Note: Alternative Title All About Queen Victoria]

Option 3: History Cycle for Australian Students

WORLD HISTORY +

(2x/weekly)

See World History Reading Plan

Continue to add to the Book of Centuries. They will record in it for the rest of their school years. (See The Book of Centuries Revisited for more information)

(N) * The World's Story by Elizabeth O'Neill

This schedule is based on reading 8 chapters over the course of 12 weeks. You will want to add in reading from the Level 3 World History Reading List.

Year One:

  • Term 1: Ch. II - VIII (The Jews and the Phoenicians to Greece and Macedonia)
  • Term 2: Ch. IX - XVII (The Rise of Rome to The Barbarians and the Empire)
  • Term 3: Ch. XVII - XXIV (The New Nations to The Thirteenth Century)

Year Two:

  • Term 1: Ch. XXV - XXXII (St. Dominic and St. Francis to The Counter Reformation)
  • Term 2: Ch. XXXIII - XL (England and Spain to The Story of Canada)
  • Term 3: Ch. XLI - XLVIII (American Independence to Our World Today)

OR

(N) * The Story of Mankind by Van Loon (this book is no longer recommended but the old schedule remains as a courtesy to those who are still using the book)

Year One:

  • Term 1: Ch.1 to 18 (Prehistory to Ancient Greece)
  • Term 2: Ch.19 to 30 (Ancient Greece to Vikings)
  • Term 3: Ch.31 to 40 (Knights and Chivalry to Renaissance)

Year Two:

  • Term 1: Ch.41 to 46 (Exploration to 17th Century)
  • Term 2: Ch.47 to 55 (17th Century to early 19th Century)
  • Term 3: Ch.56 to 63 (19th Century)

Recommended Reading: 
Choose at least one additional book each term from our recommended reading list (Free time reading)

CITIZENSHIP / CIVICS +

(1x/weekly)

Students at Level 3 add the study of citizenship through reading Plutarch’s Lives. Students learn through example in these short biographies ideas of character, citizenship, duty, and civil service. Learn more about Plutarch here.

Read and narrate the lives of famous Greeks and Romans. Proper names can be written on the board or a paper to facilitate narration.

(N) Lives from Plutarch by McFarland, Pleasant, and Graves (Hillside Education) 

This accessible translation is perfect for middle and early high school readers.

Year One:

  • Term 1: Cimon
  • Term 2: Pericles
  • Term 3: The Gracchi

Year Two:

  • Term 1: Aristedes
  • Term 2: Marcus Cato
  • Term 3: Antony

GEOGRAPHY AND EARTH STUDIES +

(2x/weekly)

Geography study at Level 3 has a historical perspective and takes the form of two world tours. The first follows the expansion of the known world with a history of exploration; the second visits the great sites of the world

(1) Exploration

See Level 3 & 4 Geography: History of Exploration for detailed lesson list.

Level 3 Year 1 -Twice a week for 20-30 minutes.

Level 3 Year 2 Twice a week for 30-40 minutes.

KEY TEXTS

A Book of Discovery by M. B. Synge (also often available free online at sites like Project Gutenberg)

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 may also be purchased on the publisher’s website. 

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.

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.

We recommend reading this book over three years (into Level 4)

Year One:

    • Term 1: Chapter 1 (A Little Old World) to Chapter 6: Pytheas Finds the British Isles
    • Term 2: Chapter 7 to Chapter 13 
    • Term 3: Chapter 14 to Chapter 20

Year Two:

    • Term 1: Chapter 21 to Chapter 30
    • Term 2: Chapter 31 to Chapter 43
    • Term 3: Chapter 44  to Chapter 54

(2) Travel (weekly)

Schedule of Lessons: Level 3 Travel: Book of Marvels 

(N) * Complete Book of Marvels (multiple editions available) by Richard Halliburton.

Read and narrate one chapter per week. Find locations on a map.

Optional Recommended resource (website): Richard Halliburton’s Complete Book of Marvels

Year One:

Book of Marvels: The Occident [UK Title: Marvels of the West]

    • Term 1: A Marvellous Bridge to Popocatepetl
    • Term 2: The Rain God's City to the Ornament and the Honor of France
    • Term 3: The Tiger of the Alps to The Mother of Churches

Year Two:

Book of Marvels: The Orient [UK Title: Marvels of the East]

    • Term 1: The Travels of Demetrius to Allah's Children (Skip Ch. 8 and read/learn about Timbuktu here.)
    • Term 2: The Enchanted Temple to Wonderland
    • Term 3: My Hindu Princess to The Magic Mountain

(3) Map work (weekly)

Locate places mentioned in the week's reading and places in the news.

(4) Geology 

Level 3 Year 1: (1x/week)

Schedule of Lessons: Level 3 & 4 Geology 

Rocks, Rivers, and the Changing Earth by Herman Schneider and Nina Schneider (this book has just been republished by Hillside Education with minor updates)

Recommended resource/Alternate Schedule:

Sabbath Mood Homeschool Geology Form 3 Study Guide (Secular Version)  This guide includes background, supply lists for experiments in the book, as well as related poetry, podcasts, and video links.

Alternate plan: Skip to the following two year plan from Level 3 Year 2/Level 4.

Level 3 Year 2 (Two year study continues into Level 4): (2x/week)

A Doorway of Amethyst by Mary Daly - 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

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 and The Ghost Lake: The True Story of Louis Agassiz, by John Hudson Tiner

NATURE STUDY +

Take at least one nature walk each week.

(2) Keep a nature journal.

Recommended Resources:

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

Optional Nature Reading:

Insect Adventures by J.Henri Fabre

SCIENCE +

(3x/weekly)

At this level students will undertake a two-year science study following the chronology of scientific discovery. Science topics are studied alongside the history of science.

Schedule of Lessons

Level 3 Year 1: 

BOTANY 

Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum (Willis and Scott)

World of Plants (Howell / Usborne)

Alternative: Read First Studies in Plant Life (Atkinson) and follow the study guide schedule and activities from Sabbath Mood

ASTRONOMY 

Our Universe: A Guide to What’s Out There (Stannard) This book is out of print, but used copies are cheaply and easily available 

The Stars: A New Way to See Them (Rey) - Note: This book is written for the northern latitudes. Some Mater Amabilis families in Australia recommend Australian Backyard Astronomy by Ragbir Bhathal and Jenny Bhathal as a southern hemisphere alternative.

Genesis 1: House of the Covenant (Daly) - Note: The Hedge School website is run by Mary Daly's children in their free time. Orders often take a long time to be filled, and they are not good at responding to emails. This is an excellent book, but you can simply skip the few lessons using it if you prefer not to order a copy.

Optional supplement: Exploring the Sky: 100 Projects for Beginning Astronomers (Moeschl)

Alternative: Read The Planets (Sobel) and follow the study guide schedule and activities from Sabbath Mood Astronomy: Forms 3-4

INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY

Men Microscopes and Living Things (Shippen)

Sabbath Mood Biology Guide

Level 3 Year 2: 

CLASSICAL AND FLUID MECHANICS

Objects in Motion (Fleisher) 

Liquids and Gases (Fleisher) 

TOPScience #16 Pressure (Book or ebook, Starter Kit #16*, if available)

THE PERIODIC TABLE AND ELEMENTS

The Mystery of the Periodic Table (Wiker)

TOPScience #10 Analysis (Book or ebook and Starter Kit 10*)

TOPScience #11 Oxidation (Book or ebook and Starter Kit 11*)

*Starter kits have all the supplies you need for the demonstrations and experiments and are highly recommended.

Recommended Supplemental Reading 

The Elements (Gray) (A motivated student may want to make a science journal entry on 1-2 elements per week.) 

Also Molecules and Reactions by the same author.

Alternative to TOPS Analysis and Oxidation kits: Use the schedule and activities for The Mystery of the Periodic Table in Sabbath Mood Chemistry: Forms 3-4. This guide moves at a faster pace than the schedule here, leaving you a few extra weeks for supplemental reading.

MATTER AND ENERGY

Matter and Energy (Fleisher)

The Mystery of Matter: Search for the Elements [documentary] [Amaz streaming][Amaz DVD] - This video may not be available to stream at Amazon. You can try searching online, at your library, or purchase the DVD. You may also omit it.

NOVA: Hunting the Elements [documentary]

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

(2-3x/weekly)

Option 1: Spanish

Spanish program of your choice

Recommended Resource:
Living Spanish by R.P. Littlewood provides additional grammar coverage.
Both courses are to be used simultaneously over four or five years.

Option 2: French

Skoldo French Book 3
or
First Start French

Recommended Resource: Living French by T.W.Knight (available from Amazon UK) provides additional grammar coverage.

Both courses are to be used simultaneously over four or five years.

Living German and Living Italian are also available.

LATIN

(2x/week)

Option 1: Intensive Approach

Henle Latin I

Year One: Units 3-5

Year Two: Units 6-10

Option 2: Gentler Approach

Year One: Latina Christiana II

Year Two: Henle Latin 1: Units 1 and 2

or if starting Latin for the first time:

Year One: Latina Christiana I

Year Two: Latina Christiana II

Recommended Additional Resource:

Lingua Angelica
Christian Latin Reading Course By Cheryl Lowe & Paul O'Brien

UK Alternative

Option 1: Intensive Approach

The Approach to Latin, First Part by J.Paterson and E.Macnaughton
Year One: pp.59-143 (about 28 pages a term)
Year Two: pp.144-239 (about 32 pages a term)

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

Year One: Latina Christiana II

Year Two: The Approach to Latin, First Part, pp.4-58 (about 18 pages a term)

or if starting Latin for the first time:

Year One: Latina Christiana I

Year Two: Latina Christiana II

Note: This approach would complete The Approach to Latin, First Part by age 15 or 16. This should easily enable a child to take the current Latin GCSE.

Recommended Additional Resource:

Lingua Angelica
Christian Latin Reading Course By Cheryl Lowe & Paul O'Brien

PICTURE STUDY

(weekly)

See notes on picture study for instructions for picture study. (Suggested pictures and reading TBA)

Year One: Realism

Alternative: American Artists:
Replace Millet with Mary Cassatt

Year Two: Baroque Art

See also:  Notes on Picture Study

MUSIC APPRECIATION

(weekly)

* Music Masters Set 3 (Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Strauss, Foster & Sousa, Berlioz, Verdi). CDs may only be available in a set.
Study one composer each term.

Level 3 Year 1:

Term 1: Tchaikovsky: Classics for Kids - Tchaikovsky

Term 2: Brahms: Classics for Kids - Brahms 

Term 3: Strauss: Classics for Kids - Johann Strauss  

Level 3 Year 2:

Term 1: Foster & Sousa

Classics for Kids – Stephen Foster (bio only)

Stephen Collins Foster – America’s Bard (WQXR Feature)

Classics for Kids - John Philips Sousa 

Term 2: Berlioz: Classics for Kids – Hector Berlioz (bio only)

Term 3: Verdi: Classics for Kids - Verdi

Recommended Resource:

Masters of Classical Music, Vols.1-10 (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).

ART

(2x/week)

Year One: ARTistic Pursuits, Elementary 4-5 Book Two Color and Composition

Year Two: ARTistic Pursuits, Middle School Book One The Elements of Art and Composition

MUSIC
  • Continue (or start) studying a musical instrument.
  • Regular opportunities for singing should be provided.
  • Learn traditional Catholic hymns, including at least three in Latin

PRACTICAL WORK
  • Help in house and yard (garden).
  • Work on learning a practical craft or skill of your choice.  


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Year One

36 Week Chart (pdf) (doc)  (updated 2021)

Year Two

36 Week Chart (pdf) (word doc) updated 2022