Literature-rich curricula
inspired by the work of
Charlotte Mason

Living Books Curriculum is excited to offer you a contemporary curriculum based on the work of Charlotte Mason. The distinctive feature of the Living Books Curriculum is the teaching method used. We have found wonderful books for our curriculum, but the fact is books go in and out of print. The Living Books Curriculum teaching method does not.

The core curriculum has eleven areas of study: Bible and Christian study, mathematics, language arts, science, nature study, art, picture study, music, American history, world history and geography. In addition, we include the study of Latin from Grade Four onward and recommend second language instruction begin as soon as possible. The approaches used for learning are reading classic literature, storytelling, active involvement, time spent outdoors, using local materials and local knowledge, and creating a supportive atmosphere.

Living Books Curriculum has currently produced Foundation Year (kindergarten), Grade One, Grade Two, Grade Three, Grade Four, Grade Five, Grade Six curriculum packages. (You may download a PDF sample of each of our curriculum.) We are currently in the research and development stages of Grades 7 and 8. Living Books Curriculum also offers complete study guides designed to teach specific areas of science, American history, and world history using high-quality literature, relevant activities, and Internet resources. These study guides are designed to teach multiple ages and grade levels. Once completed, Living Books Curriculum’s study guide series will include nearly 20 guides. The LBC Guide to Astronomy, LBC Guide to the Middle Ages, and LBC Guide to Michigan History Through Literature are currently available.

Using Living Books Curriculum is straightforward. A comprehensive teaching guide is available for each curriculum package to help the homeschooling parent organize the lessons and assess comprehension. Each teaching guide describes the Living Books Curriculum philosophy; supplies helpful articles written by industry experts; and provides numerous teaching resources including a week-by-week teaching guide, an overview of each subject, a checklist that reminds the teaching parent to regularly include the fundamentals of the Charlotte Mason method, and a suggested daily schedule. 

One of the advantages of Living Books Curriculum is schedule flexibility. Similar to Charlotte Mason’s Parent’s National Education Union 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 school year is based on 36 weeks. 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. We plan for a 5-day school week with 3-6 hours of academic work (depending on age); the remaining time is reserved for handicrafts, outdoor activities, creative play, or skill training.

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