FAQs

Can I use Living Books Curriculum for multiple grades?

Yes, definitely. Many of our families do. Subjects such as history, art, science, narration, nature study, picture study, and geography can be combined for multiple grade levels. Students may take turns narrating the topics—either both in the same day or alternating days. Older students may write some of their narrations independently while the teaching parent listens to the younger students. Subjects such as math, beginning reading instruction for the first grader, and handwriting (including copywork and dictation) may need individual instruction. For more information see: Teaching Multiple Children.

What if I already have some of the books in the curriculum package I am considering?

No problem, we are happy to do custom orders for you. You can order by phone, email, or online. If online, choose the books you do want by ordering them individually. If by phone, call during business hours Monday - Friday, 10-4 pm Eastern time). If by email, let us know what you need, send your phone number and we'll call you.

How long does it take to receive my order after I place it?

We ship within 48 hours, unless it is a holiday or weekend. If you choose Media Mail as your shipping option, you should know that it takes 10-14 days to arrive, depending on where you live. California, for example, takes 12-14 days from Michigan. Priority Mail takes 3-5 days.

What is the difference between the Complete and Continuing Package?

Each curriculum package has some books that carry over to the following grade. These are noted in the booklist with an asterisk. "Complete" is intended for families who have not purchased from us before or who have skipped several grade levels, thus ensuring they have all the books they need. "Continuing" is for those families who have used the previous grade level and are continuing on to the next. This ensures they do not purchase the same book twice. Handbook of Nature Study, for example is used in every grade, K through 8.

How much planning do I have to do each week?

We recommend 45-minutes, once a week. We arranged the curriculum along the lines recommended by Charlotte Mason with the best structure and the most flexibility. We offer a week-by-week schedule of subjects, then show you how to decide for yourself which day you will do which subject. So, for example, read alouds might be more easily done in the evening, as a wind down activity; math might be done first thing because your child does best in the morning; American and world history can be done on alternate days, and so on. We offer samples of daily schedules and recommendations for how to organize your day, week, month, and year.

What is your publishing schedule for High School?

LBC will be creating several high school level guides for subject areas such as American Literature or Civics. However, since there is no one-size-fits-all for homeschooling high school, LBC has created a 16-week course which teaches parents to create their own high school courswork. This online class teaches everything needed to create a first-rate Charlotte Mason high school curriculum that would be acceptable in any college. It also gives guidelines for how to prepare your teen for the SAT and ACT test. To learn more about the course, visit this website: www.charlottemasonhighschool.com

Do you offer a payment plan?

LBC offers 2 to 12-month payment plans. We will even arrange bi-weekly payments. There is a 7% nonrefundable set-up fee and shipping charges, which will be included in your first payment. Your payment plan can be quickly and easily set by us. Call our office toll-free (888) 331-3481 (Monday - Friday, 10-4 pm Eastern time).

Do you guarantee your products?

We believe so strongly that Living Books Curriculum is the best possible choice for families seeking a literature-based, learn-by-doing method of home education that we offer a guarantee no other curriculum company offers. If at any time during the 12 months following your investment, you feel our curriculum is not for you, just return the materials in resalable condition, which means “like new” with no dents, writing, or soiling. We will cheerfully refund 100% of your purchase price, less the shipping costs—no questions asked.

Why don’t you include a mathematics program?

Living Books Curriculum does not provide a math program because we found after interviewing many parents that each had their own preference for a math program. We offer three suggestions for a math curriculum that are consistent with the Living Books Curriculum philosophy—Saxon Math, Miquon Math, Singapore Math.

Should I require narration of my five-year-old?

Living Books Curriculum encourages teaching parents to focus their initial teaching on an early form of narration—finger plays. When the child is showing consistent skills in remembering and repeating the finger plays, move onto Aesop’s Fables. Make sure you begin with easy-to-learn things, so the child feels successful. A child can easily get weary or frustrated. Charlotte Mason recommended narration begin at age six and not earlier. We highly recommend reading " Successful Narration."

Can I use your curriculum easily in a secular manner?

Living Books Curriculum concurs with Charlotte Mason's idea that all knowledge comes from God, whether it is labeled secular or religious. The founders of Living Books Curriculum have a "Christian worldview" that is reflected in the curriculum. They believe God is the original and only creator of the universe. However, they choose books that are "living" and nourish the mind, whether or not they use Christian terminology.

What is the ABC Test?

ABC stands for Assessment of Basic Concepts. Dr. James Carroll, co-founder of Living Books Curriculum, developed this gentle test specifically for Foundation Year to help parents assess readiness for learning. The test comes with complete instructions and takes about 20 minutes to administer.

What is a living book?

The books Living Books Curriculum uses are considered “living” according to Charlotte Mason. That is, the books “warm the imagination,” nurture thinking, and communicate knowledge mind-to-mind. Children require books that are living in order to develop to their fullest capacity. The high quality of thought expressed in great literature breeds like thought in the child. When the books are many, varied, and living, the child is able to adopt the ideas in them just as a plant takes nutrients from the soil.

“For this reason we owe it to every child to put him (or her) in communication with great minds that he may get at great thoughts…and the only vital method of education appears to be that children should read worthy books, many worthy books.” Charlotte Mason, A Philosophy of Education, p. 12.

What academic subjects does your curriculum cover?

The Living Books Curriculum covers the following eleven areas of study:

• Bible Study
• Mathematics
• Language Arts—reading, writing, listening, and speaking
• Science
• Nature Study
• Art
• Picture Study
• Music
• American and World History
• Geography
• Foreign Language Studies

How many hours per day do the different levels take?

The amount of direct instruction in Living Books Curriculum is less—on purpose. Charlotte Mason's approach which works wonderfully, is to use short lessons (20 minutes for lower levels and gradually increasing to no more than 45 minutes). There are many reasons for this, which you can read about in our materials. For a first grader (for example), direct instruction should be no more than 2 ½ hours per day—preferably in the morning when the child is fresh. The afternoons are for creative play, handcrafts, and outdoor activities—all of which contribute to skill building and family culture.

What is Living Books Curriculum’s academic schedule like?

One of the advantages of Living Books Curriculum is schedule flexibility. Similar to Charlotte Mason’s Parent’s National Education Union (PNEU) schools, Living Books Curriculum allows you to organize an academic schedule that suits your individual needs. Families can begin and end their “school year” as best fits their schedule. The Living Books Curriculum academic schedule features:36-week academic year with four terms Each term is nine weeks long—eight weeks of instruction with the ninth week designed as a "flex" week. No new work is introduced in the ninth week, which allows the teaching parent to complete unfinished work, assess learning through end-of-term narration questions, and plan field trips.

36-week academic year with four terms
Each term is nine weeks long—eight weeks of instruction with the ninth week designed as a “flex” week.  No new work is introduced in the ninth week, which allows the teaching parent to complete unfinished work, assess learning through end-of-term narration questions, and plan field trips.

Is Foundation Year a one-year or two-year curriculum?

The Foundation Year can be used for one or two years. The first year would be for awareness and the second for mastery of the material.

What age should my child be in order to use the Foundation Year?

Our curriculum is designed to be flexible and meet the needs of each child.  However, as a rule of thumb, it can be used by children from as young as four years old up to seven years old.