First Year & Notebooks
Religion
Learn about world religions through the study of history; learn the basics of the family’s faith for 10 to 15 minutes per day as part of “family time.”
Grammar
10 to 15 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
History
Study ancient times (5000 B.C.–A.D. 400). Read biographies and easy history books to the child; ask the child to tell you what you’ve just read; make one narration page each week for the history notebook. Do this for at least 1½ hours per week, divided into two or three sessions.
If possible, use the same notebook for grades 1–4. This notebook contains four divisions; each has pictures, compositions, historical narrations, and photographs of projects, arranged in chronological order. Also place copies of memorized lists, speeches, etc., in the notebook for periodic review.
Ancients
Medieval–Early Renaissance
Late Renaissance–Early Modern
Modern
Literature
20 to 30 minutes, 3 days per week, focusing on ancient myths and legends; make notebook pages (narrations) once or twice per week; memorize a poem every 3 to 6 weeks.
Use the same notebook for grades 1–4 or begin a new binder each year. This notebook contains two sections:
My Books
Use for summaries or illustrations of books from the literature lists in Chapter 5.
Memory Work
All pieces learned by heart and recited in front of family or friends.
Mathematics
30 to 40 minutes per day (math lesson and storybook reading); try to do one real-life math project per week.
Reading
15 to 20 minutes per day of phonics work. 30 minutes of reading (skill building), 3 times per week; one instructional, one at-level, one below-level.
Science
Spend at least 2 hours per week, either 1 or 2 days per week, reading science books, doing science activities and projects, or asking and answering scientific questions. Write out at least one of the following as the child dictates: a narration page about the science book, a brief description of the project or activity, or a question and its answer.
Use a new notebook each year. Notebooks used for life science, astronomy, and earth science should have three divisions:
Narrations. For narrations of science books.
Project Pages. Two- to three-sentence descriptions for first and second graders, answers to all four. Project Page questions for third and fourth graders.
Answers to Questions. Use the form on page 194.
For chemistry and physics, add an additional section:
Definitions. All terms, briefly defined and illustrated if appropriate.
Spelling
10 to 15 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
Writing
Penmanship, 5 to 10 minutes per day. Copy short sentences 2 or 3 days per week (may be completed as a history or science assignment). Do a total of three narrations per week (may be completed as a literature, history, or science assignment).
Notebook for all copywork, dictation, and narration exercises not filed under Literature, History, or Science.
Optional: stories done by students who enjoy creative writing.
Art & Music
Spend 1 to 2 hours per week on art projects, reading biographies of composers and artists, or listening to music.
Learn about world religions through the study of history; learn the basics of the family’s faith for 10 to 15 minutes per day as part of “family time.”
Grammar
10 to 15 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
History
Study ancient times (5000 B.C.–A.D. 400). Read biographies and easy history books to the child; ask the child to tell you what you’ve just read; make one narration page each week for the history notebook. Do this for at least 1½ hours per week, divided into two or three sessions.
If possible, use the same notebook for grades 1–4. This notebook contains four divisions; each has pictures, compositions, historical narrations, and photographs of projects, arranged in chronological order. Also place copies of memorized lists, speeches, etc., in the notebook for periodic review.
Ancients
Medieval–Early Renaissance
Late Renaissance–Early Modern
Modern
Literature
20 to 30 minutes, 3 days per week, focusing on ancient myths and legends; make notebook pages (narrations) once or twice per week; memorize a poem every 3 to 6 weeks.
Use the same notebook for grades 1–4 or begin a new binder each year. This notebook contains two sections:
My Books
Use for summaries or illustrations of books from the literature lists in Chapter 5.
Memory Work
All pieces learned by heart and recited in front of family or friends.
Mathematics
30 to 40 minutes per day (math lesson and storybook reading); try to do one real-life math project per week.
Reading
15 to 20 minutes per day of phonics work. 30 minutes of reading (skill building), 3 times per week; one instructional, one at-level, one below-level.
Science
Spend at least 2 hours per week, either 1 or 2 days per week, reading science books, doing science activities and projects, or asking and answering scientific questions. Write out at least one of the following as the child dictates: a narration page about the science book, a brief description of the project or activity, or a question and its answer.
Use a new notebook each year. Notebooks used for life science, astronomy, and earth science should have three divisions:
Narrations. For narrations of science books.
Project Pages. Two- to three-sentence descriptions for first and second graders, answers to all four. Project Page questions for third and fourth graders.
Answers to Questions. Use the form on page 194.
For chemistry and physics, add an additional section:
Definitions. All terms, briefly defined and illustrated if appropriate.
Spelling
10 to 15 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
Writing
Penmanship, 5 to 10 minutes per day. Copy short sentences 2 or 3 days per week (may be completed as a history or science assignment). Do a total of three narrations per week (may be completed as a literature, history, or science assignment).
Notebook for all copywork, dictation, and narration exercises not filed under Literature, History, or Science.
Optional: stories done by students who enjoy creative writing.
Art & Music
Spend 1 to 2 hours per week on art projects, reading biographies of composers and artists, or listening to music.
Second Year
Religion
Learn about world religions through the study of history; learn the basics of the family’s faith for 10 to 15 minutes per day as part of “family time.”
Grammar
20 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
History
Study medieval–early Renaissance times (400–1600). Read biographies and easy history books to the child; ask the child to tell you what you’ve just read; make at least one narration page per week for the history notebook. Do this for a minimum of 2 hours per week, divided into 2 or 3 sessions.
Literature
30 minutes, 3 days per week, focusing on stories of the Middle Ages; make notebook pages (narrations) 1 or 2 times per week; memorize a poem every 3 to 6 weeks.
Mathematics
40 to 60 minutes per day (math lesson and storybook reading); try to do one real-life math project per week.
Reading
20 to 25 minutes per day of phonics work until program is finished. 30 minutes of reading (skill building), 3 times per week; one instructional, one at-level, one below-level.
Science
Spend at least 2 hours per week, either 1 or 2 days per week, reading science books, doing science activities and projects, or asking and answering scientific questions. Write out at least one of the following as the child dictates: a narration page about the science book, a brief description of the project or activity, or a question and its answer.
Spelling
20 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
Writing
Penmanship, 10 minutes per day, introducing cursive script halfway through the year. Short dictation exercises 2 or 3 days per week (may be completed as a history or science assignment). Do a total of three narrations per week (may be completed as a literature, history, or science assignment).
Art & Music
Spend 1 to 2 hours per week on art projects, reading biographies of composers and artists, or listening to music. Begin instrumental instruction if desired.
Learn about world religions through the study of history; learn the basics of the family’s faith for 10 to 15 minutes per day as part of “family time.”
Grammar
20 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
History
Study medieval–early Renaissance times (400–1600). Read biographies and easy history books to the child; ask the child to tell you what you’ve just read; make at least one narration page per week for the history notebook. Do this for a minimum of 2 hours per week, divided into 2 or 3 sessions.
Literature
30 minutes, 3 days per week, focusing on stories of the Middle Ages; make notebook pages (narrations) 1 or 2 times per week; memorize a poem every 3 to 6 weeks.
Mathematics
40 to 60 minutes per day (math lesson and storybook reading); try to do one real-life math project per week.
Reading
20 to 25 minutes per day of phonics work until program is finished. 30 minutes of reading (skill building), 3 times per week; one instructional, one at-level, one below-level.
Science
Spend at least 2 hours per week, either 1 or 2 days per week, reading science books, doing science activities and projects, or asking and answering scientific questions. Write out at least one of the following as the child dictates: a narration page about the science book, a brief description of the project or activity, or a question and its answer.
Spelling
20 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
Writing
Penmanship, 10 minutes per day, introducing cursive script halfway through the year. Short dictation exercises 2 or 3 days per week (may be completed as a history or science assignment). Do a total of three narrations per week (may be completed as a literature, history, or science assignment).
Art & Music
Spend 1 to 2 hours per week on art projects, reading biographies of composers and artists, or listening to music. Begin instrumental instruction if desired.
Third Year
Religion
Learn about world religions through the study of history; learn the basics of the family’s faith for 10 to 15 minutes per day as part of “family time.”
Foreign Language
Spend 30 minutes per day on basic vocabulary and grammar.
Grammar
20 to 30 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
History
Study late Renaissance–early modern times (1600–1850). Read history books to the child; assign easy biographies and histories for the child to read; ask the child to tell you what you’ve just read; make at least one narration page for the history notebook. The child should be writing at least part of his own narrations now. Do this for 3 hours per week, divided into 2 or 3 sessions.
Literature
30 to 45 minutes, 3 days per week, focusing on literature of the late Renaissance and early modern eras; make notebook pages (narrations) once or twice per week; memorize a poem every 3 to 6 weeks.
Mathematics
40 to 60 minutes per day (math lesson and storybook reading); try to do one real-life math project per week.
Reading
20 to 25 minutes per day of phonics work until program is finished. 30 minutes of reading (skill building), 3 times per week; one instructional, one at-level, one below-level.
Science
Spend at least 3 hours per week, either 2 or 3 days per week, reading science books, doing science activities and projects, or asking and answering scientific questions. Help the child write out at least one of the following: a narration page about the science book, a brief description of the project or activity, or a question and its answer.
Spelling
20 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
Writing
Penmanship, 10 to 15 minutes per day. Dictation exercises 3 days per week (may be completed as a history or science assignment). Do a total of three narrations per week (may be completed as a literature, history, or science assignment).
Art & Music
Spend 2 to 3 hours per week on art projects, reading biographies of composers and artists, or listening to music. Begin or continue instrumental instruction if desired.
Learn about world religions through the study of history; learn the basics of the family’s faith for 10 to 15 minutes per day as part of “family time.”
Foreign Language
Spend 30 minutes per day on basic vocabulary and grammar.
Grammar
20 to 30 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
History
Study late Renaissance–early modern times (1600–1850). Read history books to the child; assign easy biographies and histories for the child to read; ask the child to tell you what you’ve just read; make at least one narration page for the history notebook. The child should be writing at least part of his own narrations now. Do this for 3 hours per week, divided into 2 or 3 sessions.
Literature
30 to 45 minutes, 3 days per week, focusing on literature of the late Renaissance and early modern eras; make notebook pages (narrations) once or twice per week; memorize a poem every 3 to 6 weeks.
Mathematics
40 to 60 minutes per day (math lesson and storybook reading); try to do one real-life math project per week.
Reading
20 to 25 minutes per day of phonics work until program is finished. 30 minutes of reading (skill building), 3 times per week; one instructional, one at-level, one below-level.
Science
Spend at least 3 hours per week, either 2 or 3 days per week, reading science books, doing science activities and projects, or asking and answering scientific questions. Help the child write out at least one of the following: a narration page about the science book, a brief description of the project or activity, or a question and its answer.
Spelling
20 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
Writing
Penmanship, 10 to 15 minutes per day. Dictation exercises 3 days per week (may be completed as a history or science assignment). Do a total of three narrations per week (may be completed as a literature, history, or science assignment).
Art & Music
Spend 2 to 3 hours per week on art projects, reading biographies of composers and artists, or listening to music. Begin or continue instrumental instruction if desired.
Fourth Year
Religion
Learn about world religions through the study of history; learn the basics of the family’s faith for 10 to 15 minutes per day as part of “family time.”
Foreign Language
Spend at least 30 minutes per day on basic vocabulary and grammar.
Grammar
30 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
History
Study modern times (1850–present). Read history books to the child; assign easy biographies and histories for the child to read; ask the child to tell you what you’ve just read; make at least one narration page per week for the history notebook. The child should be doing most of her own writing. Do this for at least 3 hours per week, divided into 2 or 3 sessions.
Literature
30 to 45 minutes, 3 days per week, focusing on literature of the modern era; make notebook pages (narrations) 1 or 2 times per week; memorize a poem every 3 to 6 weeks.
Mathematics
40 to 60 minutes per day (math lesson and storybook reading); try to do one real-life math project per week.
Reading
30 minutes of reading (skill building), 3 times per week; one instructional, one at-level, one below-level.
Science
Spend at least 3 hours per week, either 2 or 3 days per week, reading science books, doing science activities and projects, or asking and answering scientific questions. Ask the child to write out at least one of the following: a narration page about the science book, a brief description of the project or activity, or a question and its answer.
Spelling
20 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
Writing
Penmanship, 15 minutes per day. Student should write her own narrations 3 times per week (may be completed as literature, history, or science assignments). Optional: add practice in sentence and paragraph construction if student is writing easily.
Art & Music
Spend 2 to 3 hours per week on art projects, reading biographies of composers and artists, or listening to music. Begin or continue instrumental instruction if desired.
Learn about world religions through the study of history; learn the basics of the family’s faith for 10 to 15 minutes per day as part of “family time.”
Foreign Language
Spend at least 30 minutes per day on basic vocabulary and grammar.
Grammar
30 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
History
Study modern times (1850–present). Read history books to the child; assign easy biographies and histories for the child to read; ask the child to tell you what you’ve just read; make at least one narration page per week for the history notebook. The child should be doing most of her own writing. Do this for at least 3 hours per week, divided into 2 or 3 sessions.
Literature
30 to 45 minutes, 3 days per week, focusing on literature of the modern era; make notebook pages (narrations) 1 or 2 times per week; memorize a poem every 3 to 6 weeks.
Mathematics
40 to 60 minutes per day (math lesson and storybook reading); try to do one real-life math project per week.
Reading
30 minutes of reading (skill building), 3 times per week; one instructional, one at-level, one below-level.
Science
Spend at least 3 hours per week, either 2 or 3 days per week, reading science books, doing science activities and projects, or asking and answering scientific questions. Ask the child to write out at least one of the following: a narration page about the science book, a brief description of the project or activity, or a question and its answer.
Spelling
20 minutes per day, 3 to 4 days per week.
Writing
Penmanship, 15 minutes per day. Student should write her own narrations 3 times per week (may be completed as literature, history, or science assignments). Optional: add practice in sentence and paragraph construction if student is writing easily.
Art & Music
Spend 2 to 3 hours per week on art projects, reading biographies of composers and artists, or listening to music. Begin or continue instrumental instruction if desired.