This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
Integrate several subjects with this project-based unit study to bring the joy of learning right to your living room.
Introduction
Welcome to the Grade School Unit Study Program for 3rd through 6th grade students designed to simplify and streamline your home education experience. Through an integrated literature-based curriculum, your family receives clearly laid out directions for the parent(s), hands-on project-based activities for students, and a once-a-week touch-base LIVE class where discussion, sharing, and learning takes place.
How it Works
Each full year is segmented into three parts — incorporating History, Science, Language Arts, Art, and Religion — to learn all subjects together in a unit that coordinates and dovetails into one harmonized year of learning.
The Four-Year Sequence
The entire program spans a four-year sequence based on the four volumes of TAN Books’ History series, The Story of Civilization. The following years of study can be taken independently or in any order.
Ancient History (Volume 1, Year One)
Medieval History (Volume 2, Year Two)
The Making of the Modern World (Volume 3, Year Three)
US History (Volume 4, Year Four)
In the 2022-2023 school year, you can choose Medieval History or US History for the Grade School Unit Study Program. This course description is for US History.
Your Year-Long, Two-Part Grade School Unit Study: The History of the United States
The yearlong unit study is taught in two parts: Part One in the Fall Semester (12 weeks); Part Two in the Spring Semester (12 weeks). Sign your children up for both parts to create a complete year of learning.
Description
Subjects
Your List of Subjects Scheduled for the Four School Days (Per Week)
* History (45-60 minutes per day)
* Literature (45-60 minutes per day)
* Greek & Latin Roots (10-15 minutes per day)
* Poetry Memorization (10-15 minutes per day)
* Creative Writing (60-90 minutes per week)
* Science (60-90 minutes per week)
* Solo Reading (time varies per family choice; suggested 30-60 minutes per day)
* Project Work (time varies per family choice; suggested 60-90 minutes per week)
Texts and Book List
Core Texts
The same texts are used for both parts of the series.
● New or used copies of the texts will work for use in this course. See BookFinder.com for the best prices.
● Choosing Prices: The price range after each title reflects the lowest price (Kindle edition or used edition) to the highest price range (new and/or hardback edition).
● Total Price: The low-cost options for these books can total approximately $79 and the highest cost options (all new/hardback) would cost approximately $200.
Your Book List
Purchase or borrow the following books for the school year (required):
1. The Story of Civilization (TSoC), Volume 4: The History of the United States, by Phillip Campbell (ISBN-10 : 1505111471; ISBN-13 : 978-1505111477) (All Year) ($10-$22).
a. Note: Supplementary TSoC Student and Teacher texts and Audio/Video products are optional. We recommend adding supplementary texts (as well as audio and video materials) as tools for further engagement.
Choose one saint book for younger students. Older students should read both.
2. Kateri Tekakwitha: Mohawk Maiden, by Evelyn Brown, (ISBN-10 : 0898703808
a. ISBN-13 : 978-0898703801) (Fall) ($3-$12).
3. St. Isaac and the Indians, by Milton Lomask, (ISBN-10: 9780898703559
a. ISBN-13: :978-0898703559) (Fall) ($3-$12).
4. The Reb and the Redcoats by Constance Savery, (ISBN-10: 1883937426
a. ISBN-13: : 978-1883937423) (Fall) ($6-$15).
5. Exploring Creation with Astronomy 2nd Edition, Textbook, by Jeanne Fulbright (ISBN 10: 1940110580; ISBN 13: 978-1940110585) (All Year) ($13-$38)
6. Stories of the Saints, by Carey Wallace (ISBN-10 : 0761193278
ISBN-13 : 978-0761193272) ($10-$17).
7. English from the Roots Up, Volumes 1 and 2, by Joegil Lundquist (ISBN-10 ;1885942303 ISBN-13 : 978-1885942302; ISBN-10 : 1885942125; ISBN-13 : 978-1885942128) Any new or used volumes work. Some families prefer to buy only the flashcards. That works fine! In this 4th year, we will be reviewing all 200 roots from Years 1-3. If your student has not studied these roots previously, the review can be a learning exercise. (All Year) ($15-$30)
8. Charley Skedaddle by Patricia Beatty, ISBN-10 : 0688066879
ISBN-13 : 978-0688066871. (Spring 2023) ($2-$22).
9. Brave Buffalo Fighter by John D. Fitzgerald. ISBN-10 : 0688066879
ISBN-13 : 978-0688066871. (Spring 2023) ($2-$22).
AND/OR
10. By the Great Horn Spoon by Sid Fleischman. ISBN-10 : 0316286125
ISBN-13 : 978-0316286121 ($1-$15).
(Note: Brave Buffalo Fighter is out of print. Many used copies are available, and a Kindle version is readily available. I recommend that students read both books if resources allow
(# 9 and #10).
FAQs
What role does the parent play?
In this unit study program, the parent’s role is to…
1. Schedule and implement the course material into your daily school and home life.
2. Schedule and engage in read-aloud time.
3. Grade the materials and work (approximately 30-60 minutes per week, depending on family choice of enrichment activities).
4. Watch one class session recording with your student(s) each week.
What’s included in the course?
Enrolled families will receive…
1. A weekly checklist of activities and assignments and a timeline template
2. A suggested daily schedule for the four-day school week
3. The weekly submission of auto-graded assignments, and instructor grading/feedback of one assignment per week by the instructor
4. A recording of one class meeting each week with the instructor to discuss material studied and to offer students an opportunity to share their work and/or recitations on camera (off-recording). Parents are expected to attend.
What assignments are graded by the teacher?
This is a recorded class, so all grading is the responsibility of the parent, unless instructor access is offered for this course. (Check the Moodle page to see if this course offers instructor access or for instructor access details.)
