Junior High / Early Secondary (approx. ages 11-13) ~ Grades 6 & 7 in the US. Year 7 & 8 in the UK. General Instructions Normally this course will be taken over two school years. 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] Before beginning be sure to read our to Charlotte Mason’s method, and the subject introductions for , and . The curriculum is designed to fit into thirty-six weeks, withmany subjects broken down into three blocks of twelve weeks (terms). At this level most lessons should last around 30 – 40 minutes. 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. Choose from * Matthew, Mark or Luke to tie in with Liturgical Year A, B or C as appropriate. (2) Old Testament (2x/weekly; not during Lent and Easter) (N) * Bible History by Ignatius Schuster (First Part) Year 1: Ch. 1 (Creation of the World) to Ch.44 (Parting Advice of Moses – His Death) Year 2: Ch. 45 (Entrance of the Israelites into the Promised Land) to Ch.86 (The Last Times Before Christ) (3) Catechism (weekly) (N) * Faith and Life Series Read, narrate and discuss one lesson each week. Year 1: * 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 2: * 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 Books 6 and 7. (4) Apologetics (weekly) Year 1: * Friendly Defenders Catholic Flash Cards Year 2: * Friendly Defenders 2: Catholic Flash Cards (5) Saints (Free time reading) Choose one saint’s biography each term from the (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 1 : * Little Flowers of St.Francis also available free Year 2 : * Story of a Soul by St.Therese of Lisieux Easter (6 weeks) Year 1: * by Frances Forbes Year 2: * by Sister Mary Jean Dorcy MATHEMATICS Continue with your preferred math program ENGLISH (1) Grammar and Composition (4 lessons/weekly) * by Margot Davidson Year 1: Term 1: Weeks 1 to 6 Term 2: Weeks 7 to 12 Term 3: Weeks 12 to 18 Year 2: 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 twoyears, 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. 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 1: * Grammar Skills 5 (available late 2005) Year 2: * 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: by Laura Berquist (3) Studied Dictation (2x/weekly) Paragraphs or passages to bedictated 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 1: Term 1: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, or Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain Term 2: Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne Term 3: Ivanhoe by Walter Scott Year 2: Term 1: Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe Term 2: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy Term 3: Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens or other classic literature of your choice (2) Shakespeare Suggested plays (others of your choice can be substituted): Year 1: Term 1: Merchant of Venice Term 2: Hamlet Term 3: Richard III Year 2: Term 1: The Taming of the Shrew Term 2: Much Ado About Nothing Term 3: Romeo and Juliet 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 fornotes on selected plays. (3) Poetry * The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura Berquist: Logic Stage plus an individual poet to be studied each term NATIONAL HISTORY (2x/weekly; additional book as free reading) Continue to add to the . (See for more information) Option 1: American History (N) * (to be studied over two years) [Catholic Textbook Project – ISBN-13: 978-0898709612] Year 1: 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 2: 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) Optional Resource From Sea to Shining Sea – Teachers Manual Choose at least one additional book each term from our (Free time reading) Option 2: British History (N) * 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 1: * Young Oxford History Ch.1 to 14 (Prehistory to 1500) or An Ancient Land and Medieval Kingdoms * Our Lady’s Dowry by Kathryn Faulkner. (In preparation. Chapters are available to Mater Amabilis users through the Mater Amabilis and/or forums as they are written.) 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 2: * 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. (In preparation. Chapters are available to Mater Amabilis users through the Mater Amabilis and/or forums as they are written.) 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: WORLD HISTORY (2x/weekly) Continue to add to the . They will record in it for the rest of their school years. (See for more information) (N) * 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 to round it out to 12 weeks. Year 1: Term 1: Ch. I – VIII (The Coming of Man 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 2: 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 thosewho are still using the book) Year 1: 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 2: 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 (Free time reading) 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 (weekly) (N) * The Book of Discovery by M.B.Synge Year 1: Term 1: Chapter 1 (A Little Old World) to Chapter 14 (The Vikings Sail the Northern Seas) Term 2: Chapter 15 (Arab Wayfarers) to Chapter 28 (Cortes Explores and Conquers Mexico)) Term 3: Chapter 29 (Explorers in SouthAmerica) to Chapter 42 (Tasman finds Tasmania) Year 2: Term 1: Chapter 43 (Dampier Discovers His Straits) to Chapter 55 (The Search for Timbuktu) Term 2: Chapter 56 (Richard and John Lander) to Chapter 67 (Livingstone’ Last Journey) Term 3: Chapter 68 (Through the Dark Continent) to Chapter 79 (Space) Note: This schedule is based on the 1962 edition of the book which was updated with additional chapters. If you have an earlier edition (or a reprint of an earlier edition) then read one chapter per week. (2) Travel (weekly) (N) * Complete Book of Marvels by Richard Halliburton. Note: Unfortunately this book is out of print. We have broken our rule about only using books that are in print as used copies are widely available and there is nothing else comparable. The book is also available in two separate volumes, one of which is studied each year. Purchasing them separately may be a cheaper option. Year 1: Book of Marvels: The Occident [UK Title: Marvels of the West] Term 1: A MarvellousBridge 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 2: Book of Marvels: The Orient [UK Title: Marvels of the East] Term 1: The Travels of Demetrius to Allah’s Children 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 Year 1: (N) * by Mary Daly Year 2: (N) *The Practical Geologist by Dougal Dixon (weekly) NATURE STUDY (1) Take at least one each week. (2) Keep a . Recommended Resources:Keeping a Nature Journal by Claire Walker Leslie and Charles E.RothWild Days: Creating Discovery Journals, by Karen RackliffeOptional Extra Reading:Secrets of the Animal World by Eulalia Garcia (series)Natural Partnerships: The Story of Symbiosis by Dorothy Shuttlesworth See also: 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 Year 1: (Paul Fleisher) (out of print) OR (Paul Fleisher) and (Paul Fleisher) ** Alternative (UK; Australia): by Mary and John Gribbin*** (Russell Stannard) This book is out of print, but used copies are cheaply and easily available (Jane Meyerhofer), available from Ye Hedge School (Richard Moeschl) (Usborne Internet-Linked Library of Science) (Theresa Greenaway) This book is out of print, but used copies are cheaply and easily available Year 2: (Paul Fleisher) (out of print) OR (Paul Fleisher) and (Paul Fleisher)** Alternative (UK; Australia): by Mary and John Gribbin*** (Ben Wiker) ** These four books (together with a fifth which will be used at Level 4) were originally published as a single volume, Secrets of the Universe. This single volume is now out of print and hard to find used at a reasonable price. Theindividual volumes are still in print, but at a rather high price – we recommend trying your library first. *** If the Fleisher books are too difficult or expensive to obtain (especially likely to be the case outside the USA), Inventing the Future would be a suitable alternative. This tells the story of science through brief biographies of scientists. It is a secular book, simpler than the Fleisher books, and written in a chatty style with extra information in the margins. It would also be an alternative for slightly younger children, or for children who struggle with scientific concepts. Recommended Reference Book: Recommended Extra Resources: Year 1: Year 2: Optional Further Reading: (Joy Hakim) (Joy Hakim) (Henri Fabre) (Michael J.McHugh, Frank P.Bachman) (John Tiner) Recommended Reference Book: Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia Recommended Extra Resources: Year 1: Lyrical Life Science Vol.1 Year 2: Lyrical Life Science Vol.2 FOREIGN LANGUAGE (2-3x/weekly) Option 1: Spanish Spanishprogram of your choice Recommended Resource: Living Spanish by R.P. Littlewood (available from Amazon UK) provides additional grammar coverage. Both courses are to be used simultaneously over four or five years. Option 2: French Skoldo French Book 3 or 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 books are also available. LATIN (2x/week) Option 1: Intensive Approach Henle Latin I Year 1: Units 3-5 Year 2: Units 6-10 Option 2: Gentler Approach Year 1: Latina Christiana II Year 2: Henle Latin 1: Units 1 and 2 or if starting Latin for the first time: Year 1: Latina Christiana I Year 2: 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 andE.Macnaughton Year 1: pp.59-143 (about 28 pages a term) Year 2: 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 1: Latina Christiana II Year 2: The Approach to Latin, First Part, pp.4-58 (about 18 pages a term) or if starting Latin for the first time: Year 1: Latina Christiana I Year 2: 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 AdditionalResource: 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 1: Realism Term 1: Term 2: Term 3: Alternative: American Artists: Replace Millet with Year 2: Baroque Art Term 1: Term 2: Term 3: See also: MUSIC APPRECIATION (weekly) * Music Masters Set 3 (Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Strauss, Foster & Sousa, Berlioz, Verdi). CDs can also be bought separately as The Story of Brahms 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. 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 andVivaldi). ART (2x/week) Year 1: Year 2: 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.