| LEVEL 2 Advanced Elementary / Primary (approx. ages 9 to 11) |
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Normally this course will be taken over two school years:Grades 4 and 5 in the US and Years 5 and 6 in the UK. General Instructions * Key curriculum – those books
considered to be key parts of the curriculum are shown in bold type and
marked Other subjects should be included if at all possible to give a broad Charlotte Mason style education.
The programme is designed to work with the liturgical year. Each year you will need to allow three weeks for Advent, six weeks for Lent and six weeks for Easter. During these seasons there will be some changes in the programme. The remaining 21 weeks of the year are Ordinary Time. You will need to fit Ordinary Time around the liturgical seasons according to when you start and finish your academic year. For example, you may find you have nine weeks of Ordinary Time before Advent, six weeks between Christmas and Lent and six after Easter. This is the schedule we have used, as it fits with the school year in both the UK and some parts of the US. If you start and finish your school year earlier, simply use the Ordinary Time assignments in order, taking a break as necessary. Books listed in red are alternatives for home educators in the U.K. History Cycle for Australian students [provided by Ruth Marshall]
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| +Religious Education |
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(1) New Testament
1st Year (Weekly)
(N)* The First Christians by Marigold Hunt. Read and narrate one section each lesson.
2nd
Year (Weekly, Ordinary Time only)
USA: (N)
* National
Catholic Register Guide to the Rosary UK: * An Illustrated Rosary (published by Family Publications) Note: Both of these booklets include the luminous mysteries and are illustrated with sacred 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 (1st Year: Twice
weekly, Ordinary Time only; 2nd Year: 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.
Recommended Reading
One saint’s biography to be assigned as independent
reading each term.
Optional
Extras
Faith and Life Activity Books 4 and 5.
Stories of the Child Jesus from Many Lands by A.Fowler Lutz. Read one story for each lesson.
(5) Lent (Twice
weekly)
1st Year: My Path to Heaven by Geoffrey Bliss (one section each lesson) 2nd Year: ALTERNATIVE TBA Alternative: The Way of the Cross by Inos Biffi if you have access to a copy (this book is out of print and hard to find)
1st Year: Saint Jude by Michael Aquilina 2nd Year: Our Lady’sBookbyLaurenFord |
| + Mathematics
(Daily) |
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(1) Work through any
math(s) scheme of your choice at a pace appropriate for your child.
Short daily lessons lasting 20 minutes should be enough.
(3) Mathematical reading and activities from How Math Works by Carol Vorderman |
| + English |
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(1) Reading
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 Laurel Wreath by Laura Berquist
Shakespeare quotationssuitable
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 placemat.
(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
1st Year Term 1: Lessons 1-50, pp.1-51 Term 2: Lessons 51-100, pp.52-106 Term 3: Lessons 101-150, pp. 107-159 2nd Year Term 1: Lessons 151-200, pp. 160-209 Term 2: Lessons 201-250, pp. 209-260 Term 3: Lessons 251-301, pp. 261-316
1st Year: Grammar Skills 3 or 4 (Learners Publishing, Singapore) 2nd Year: Grammar Skills 4 or 5 (Learners Publishing, Singapore) Note: These books use British English and spellings. In Singapore schools children this age would be using books 4 and 5. As the series provides considerably more grammar coverage than would be usual in British schools, you may prefer to use a lower level. You can see samples here to decide which book would be the best fit for your child.
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.
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| + Literature |
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(1)Mythology (Weekly)
D’Aulaire’s Greek Myths by Edgar and Ingri D’Aulaire
Choose at least one book each term from the selection for
independent reading. Not for narration, just read and enjoy!
Pollyanna
by Eleanor Porter
Alice 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.L.Montgomery Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
(3) Shakespeare (Weekly) Suggested plays (others of your choice can be substituted): 1st Year: The Tempest;
Macbeth; As You Like It See
notes on How to
Study Shakespeare Recommended Resources Re-tellings of Shakespeare plays. Choose from: Tales
From Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb Books about Shakespeare. Choose from: William
Shakespeare: His Work and His World by Michael Rosen Books about plays and teaching notes: Shakespeare
and MacBeth: the Story Behind the Play by Stewart Ross
Henry
V; Julius
Caesar; Twelfth
Night (4) Poetry
The
Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura Berquist: Grammatical Stage |
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+ National History (twice weekly; additional book ad.lib.) |
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Option1 –
Introduction to British History
(N)
* Our Island Story by
H.E.Marshall
(N)* Our Lady's Dowry -Catholic history book by Kathryn Faulkner (In preparation.
Chapters will be made available to Mater Amabilis users as they are
written - please request details through the Teacher Training Forum)
See additional schedule and suggestions for further reading
(N) * From Sea to Shining Sea (Catholic Textbook Project)
Recommended additional book each term, to be read either aloud or
independently outside lesson time.
or Finish three year course in British history. If
your child has not done Level 1 you may prefer to start with Year 1 of
the British history course 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] |
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+ Ancient History (twice weekly) |
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1st Year: Ancient Greece
(N)* Famous
Men of Greece (Greenleaf
Press)
Term 1: The Gods of Greece to Lycurgus
Term 2: Draco and Solon to Socrates
Term 3: Xenophon to the Fall of Greece
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. Children and families who want to study Greek history in
greater detail may prefer to use
Ancient
Greece Timeline (Our Father's House)
Usborne
Encyclopedia of the Ancient World
Further reading according to interest – see Ancient History Booklist. (N)* Famous
Men of Rome (Greenleaf
Press)
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
Ancient Rome Timeline (Our Father’s House) Usborne
Encyclopedia of the Ancient World
Usborne Time Traveller: Rome and Romans Further reading according to interest – see Ancient History Booklist. |
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+ Geography and Earth
Studies |
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Note: Please read our introduction to geography study and the Charlotte Mason method.
(1) American Geography (Twice weekly)
(N)1st Year - * Paddle
to the Sea and * Seabirdby Holling C.Holling
(N)2nd Year - * Tree
in the Trail and * Minn
of the Mississippi by Holling C.Holling Holling C.Holling Geography Map Set of 4
British
Alternative (Twice weekly)
1st Year: British Geography Children of Britain Just Like Me Note: For each copy sold a donation was made to UNICEF, an organisation which the Catholic Church no longer supports due to its population policies. We recommend that you either buy a used copy or borrow this book from the library. (At the time of writing it appears to be out of print, so this should not be a problem.) Children's Atlas of the British Isles by Clare Oliver and Theodore Rowland-Entwhistle Usborne Internet-Linked Book of London
2nd Year: American Geography Paddle to the Sea and Minn of the Mississippi by Holling C.Holling
Recommended
Reference Book
The Oxford Junior Atlas (pub.OUP)
Maps:
Getting from Here to There by Harvey Weiss
Adventures
in Geography by Gertrude Allen Kay – an 11 year old boy and his
uncle sail around the world
(2)Peoples and Places (Ad.Lib.)
Choose one book each term from the selection for independent reading.
1st Year: The Americas
Where
the Flame Trees Bloom by Alma Flor Ada (Cuba)
Maya Quest: Interactive Expedition by Dan Buettner – bicycle trek through Central America The
Cay by Theodore
Taylor (Caribbean) - fiction
Secret
of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark (Peru) – fiction 2nd Year: Africa
Hippos in the Night: Autobiographical Adventures in Africa by Christina Allen Africatrek: A Journey by Bicycle by Dan Buettner Journey to Jo’burg by Beverley Naidoo (South Africa) - fiction Jock of the Bushveldt (South Africa) by Sir J.Percy Fitzpatrick - 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.
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| * Nature Study (Weekly) |
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(1) Take at least one nature walk each week.
(2) Keep a nature notebook
Recommended Resources Keeping a Nature Journal by Claire Walker Leslie and Charles E.Roth Wild Days: Creating Discovery Journals, by Karen Rackliffe Introduction to Nature Study and Backyard Nature by MacBeth Derham (websites) Wild Monthly online nature study newsletter, also by MacBeth Derham
Other Resources Discovering Nature Indoors: A Nature and Science Guide to Investigations with Small Animals, ed. Laurence Pringle |
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+ Science (twice weekly) |
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1st Year: Science in Ancient Greece (N)Science in Ancient Greece (Kathlyn Gay) (N) * Archimedes
and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
The Librarian Who Measured the Earth (Kathryn Lasky) Home Science Adventures: Light Home Science Adventures: Magnetism Available from Emmanuel Books (US) and Ichthus Resources (UK). Kits include all equipment needed for experiments. Simple Machines: Starting With Science (Adrienne Mason and Deborah Hodge)
See schedule of lessons and activities 2nd Year: Science in Ancient Rome and the Human Body (N) * Science of 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 (Easy to Make Hands-On Models That Teach) by Donald M. Silver and Patricia J. Wynne
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| Foreign Language (Optional) |
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Option 1 – Spanish *Learn Spanish With Grace by Miriam Alvarez Gallaher
Option 2 – French 1st Year – Term 1: pp.1-8; Term 2: pp.9-16; Term 3:
pp.17-25
2nd Year – 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 favourite DVD in French. Many DVDs have French as one of the language options. |
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Latin (Year 2 only) (twice weekly) |
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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
British
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 Latina
Christiana, vol.1 |
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Picture
Study |
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1st Year: Gothic and Renaissance Art Term 1: Giotto and Saint Fra Angelico Term 2: Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli Term 3: Michelangelo Buenarotti and Raphael
2nd Year: English Romantics Term 1: George Stubbs and Thomas Gainsborough Term 2: Joseph Mallord William Turner Term 3: John Constable
See notes on picture
study
for details, resources and instructions for picture study.
Art Fraud Detective by Anna Nilsen |
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Music Appreciation (weekly) |
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* Music
Masters Set
2 (Handel, Beethoven, Wagner, Dvorak, Haydn, 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.
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 (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 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. [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 |
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(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 programmes that can be used independently are: Beginning at the Piano books, by Alan Jemison (Catholic) Alternatively either continue or start learning to play the recorder. A good starting point is the Nine Note Recorder Method by Penny Gardner.
Optional Extras Usborne
Book of Easy Recorder Tunes |
| Practical Work |
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(1) Help in house and yard (garden). (2)
Work on learning a practical craft or skill of your choice. British Resource Opitec sells a wide range of
reasonably priced craft kits, projects and hobby materials. |
Copyright
© 2004-2010 Kathryn Faulkner and Michele Quigley. All Rights
Reserved.
Use of
this material is subject to the terms of the Mater Amabilis license
agreement: http://www.materamabilis.org/license.html |