The programme is designed to work with the liturgical year. You will need to allow six weeks for Lent and six weeks for Easter. During these seasons there will be some changes in the programme. You will need to fit the remaining twenty-four weeks around the liturgical seasons according to when you start and finish your academic year. 

(1) Bible Study

(a)  * Great Adventure Series, by Jeff Cavin (Three times weekly, for 24 weeks - not during Lent and Easter)

(b)  (N) * Ignatius Study Bible: Matthew, Mark or Luke (Weekly)

Study whichever Gospel was not read at Level 3. If using Mater Amabilis for the first time, use whichever Gospel is appropriate for the current liturgical year.

Also: Bible Memory Work - memorise one verse from each week's lesson

(2) Catechism  (Weekly)
(N) * Faith and Life 8 (Ignatius Press). Read, narrate and discuss one lesson each week.

Optional Extra
Faith and Life Activity Book 8

 

(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

Padre Pio

Mother Teresa

St.Jose Maria Escriva

Pope John Paul II

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, by Ann Ball

A Heart for Europe by James and Joanna Bogle (story of Blessed Charles of Austria and Empress Zita)

Children of Fatima by Leo Madigan

Edith Stein, Woman of Prayer by Joanne Mosley

The Last Days of Maximilian Kolbe by Sergius C.Lorit

Stories of Padre Pio by Katharina Tangari

Stories of Karol: the Unknown Life of John Paul II by Gian Franco Svidercoschi

Mother Teresa's Lessons of Love by Susan Conroy

(4) Lent  (Three times weekly for 6 weeks)

Boys to Men by Tim Gray and Curtis Martin

Note: Although this book is written primarily for boys, we feel that its message is applicable to both boys and girls. It will also give girls a clear picture of what to look for and expect in a good man. 

(5) Easter (Three times weekly for 6 weeks)

(N) A Philadelphia Catholic in King James's Court by Martin de Porres Kennedy

Optional Extra
Discussion/Study Guide

Term 1: The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Von Trapp (alternative title: The Sound of Music)

Term 2: He Leadeth Me by Fr.Walter Ciszek 

Term 3: We're On a Mission From God by Mary Beth Bonacci 

(1) Classic Twentieth Century Literature

Choose one book each term

Term 1 

Father Brown Stories by G.K.Chesterton

Goodbye Mr Chips by James Hilton

Term 2 

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Optional: Study questions) - please read this review to decide whether this is appropriate reading for your child.

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

Term 3

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R.Tolkein

(2) Shakespeare (Weekly)

One of the following plays to be studied each term:  

     Romeo and Juliet

     Midsummer Night's Dream

See notes on How to Study Shakespeare

Recommended Resources
Books about plays and teaching notes:

        Shakespeare Made Easy by Muriel J.Morris

(3) Poetry

Term 1:  G.K.Chesterton; World War I poets

Term 2:  TBA

Term 3:  Robert Frost

Further Reading Suggestions 

Favorite Father Brown Stories by G.K.Chesterton

A Long Way from Welcome by Echo Lewis

The Weka-Feather Cloak by Leo Madigan

The Bank of Infinite Reserves by Leo Madigan

The Rose Round by Meriol Trevor

The Shadow of the Bear by Regina Doman

Black as Night by Regina Doman

They Loved to Laugh by Kathryn Worth

+ Twentieth Century History (three times weekly; additional reading ad.lib.)

This year's history study will focus on the twentieth century. 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

UK: * Young Oxford History of Britain and Ireland, Section 5: A Century of Change  

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 (you can find a chronological booklist here)

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.

+ Geography and Earth Studies (twice weekly; plus map work)

(1) Twentieth Century Exploration (Weekly)

Term 1: Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing

            Note: Some paperback editions have less pictures than the hardback edition 

Term 2: Kon Tiki Expedition (Thor Heyerdahl)

Term 3: TBA

(2) National Geographic (Weekly)

* National Geographic magazine

Read and narrate one article each week. While a subscription to current issues would be ideal, used copies from recent years would be acceptable.

(3) Map Work  (Weekly)

(1) Take at least one nature walk each week.

(2) Keep a nature notebook

(3) Nature Reading (ad.lib.)

Term 1: Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter or My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

Term 2: My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

Term 3: All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

+ Science (twice weekly)

PROVISIONAL BOOK LIST

Relativity and Quantum Mechanics: Principles of Modern Physics by Paul Fleisher 

     (also included in Secrets of the Universe (out of print))

The Time and Space of Uncle Albert (Russell Stannard)

The Chain Reaction: Pioneers of Nuclear Science by Karen Fox

Eyewitness: Electronics (pub.Dorling Kindersley)

Fun With Electronics Kit

Fun With Computer Electronics Kit 

The Code Book for Young People: How to Make It, Break It, Hack It, Crack It by Simon Singh

Option 1: Spanish

Spanish program of your choice

Recommended Resource

Living Spanish by R.P.Littlewood (available from Amazon UK) provides additional grammar coverage.

French program of your choice.

Recommended Resource

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

Living German and Living Italian books are also available.

Latin  (twice weekly)

Option 1: Intensive Approach

Henle Latin 1: Units 11 to 14

Henle Latin 2: Lessons 1 to 20   

Option 2: Gentler Approach

Henle Latin 1: Progress at student's own pace

Recommended Additional Resource
Henle Latin Grammar

The Approach to Latin, Part 2 by J.Paterson and E.Macnaughton - pp.1-88
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) - old fashioned traditional text

or So You Really Want to Learn Latin: Book 2 by N.R.R.Oulton

Beginners: So You Really Want to Learn Latin: Book 1 by N.R.R.Oulton

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

Picture Study  (weekly)

One twentieth century artist to be studied each term:

Term 1: Henri Matisse

Term 2: Pablo Picasso

Term 3: Marc Chagall

Music Appreciation (weekly)

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

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976): 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): The Rite of Spring

Gustav Holst: The Planets

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No.1

Sergei Prokofiev: Classical Symphony

Joaquin Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar and Orchestra

Term 3:  20th Century American Composers

Suggested Works:

George Gershwin (1898-1937): Rhapsody in Blue

Aaron Copland (1900-1990): Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, Fanfare for the Common Man

Samuel Barber (1910-1981): Adagio for Strings

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990): Chichester Psalms

Artistic Pursuits: Color and Composition (Highschool Years 7-9)

or (if this series has not been used at Level 3)

Artistic Pursuits: The Elements of Art and Composition (Highschool Years 7-9)

(a) Continue instrumental study.

(b) Singing - hymns or songs of your choice.

(1) Help in house and yard (garden).