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In this post, I’m sharing our plans for year 3 curriculum as a Traditional Catholic + Classical Charlotte Mason Homeschool.
In case you missed it, I shared our experiences with The CMEC, TCT, Ambleside, etc. and why I like to combine a variety of resources when creating our own curriculum picks and structure.
You can find previous posts here.
Religion + Catechism
We begin our morning time off with a morning offering, other liturgical devotions, bible readings, hymns, folk songs, etc. For my year 3 students, we continue with the Our Holy Faith series of catechism, God’s Truths Help Us Live.
In year 3, we also start reading through more saint stories, beginning with a few selections from the Windeatt Set.
Math
In my previous posts of this curriculum series, I’ve explained our journey with math a bit. We combine Rod & Staff math as a core and Life of Fred as a supplement for our math curriculum.
That being said, as a Classical Charlotte Mason homeschool, I still keep the math lessons short (20 minutes for form 1 and 30-40 minutes for forms 2 and up). So, I break the lessons down and don’t fatigue the children with all of the extra practice sheets, complete workload of a suggested lesson, and speed drills, etc.
In year 3, we also incorporate musical multiplication from the Good and the Beautiful a couple of times a week.
History + Geography
It has taken us a bit of trial and error until we found a good solution for a solid traditional catholic history spine, that was living and inspiring. I’ve read through many and they never quite hit the mark. But after some testing, I’ve found a good source that has been republished by TAN books.
In year 3, we begin reading through Pioneers & Patriots together slowly. We then continue with this book for years 4, and 5. And we introduce British history later on, in year 4.
We also continue with reading through the Little House Series as part of our historical fiction books.
For geography, we will continue with reading through any of the Holling C. Holling books that we haven’t covered yet. And we will read through the second half of Ambleside Geographical Reader that we began in year 2.
The student will also continue work with maps/atlas, globe, and the beginnings of map work in their geography notebook.
Literature
These are the books that we will read aloud from, sometimes during specific blocks during the school day, and sometimes at bedtime.
Poetry
By year 3, my children begin using Harp & Laurel Wreath for their poetry “spine”. I just purchase their own copy to keep and use for memory work, copywork, dictation, etc.
We also read through Shakespeare in year 3, but this has always been done as a common family subject in our home.
Myths + Legends
In year 3, we begin reading through the Tales of Troy & Greece and Tanglewood Tales together a couple of times a week.
For myths and legends, we also continue with American tall tales with these two books:
- American Tall Tales (different from year 1)
- Animal Folk Tales
Fairy Tales
We read through Aesop’s Fables together as a family each morning and then re-read through the book once finished. When the children get into upper forms, they move on to independently reading this version of fables.
In year 3, we continue reading through certain selections from Grimm’s Fairy Tales and Andersen’s Fairy Tales spread throughout the year.
Language Arts
The basis of a language arts in a classical Charlotte Mason education is through narration, copywork, and dictation. Dictation and grammar are introduced in form 2 (year 4).
I also think that it’s very important to incorporate phonics lessons with poetic reading lessons. So we have used Little Angel Reader to get a solid foundation on phonics instruction.
Year 3 language arts:
- Oral and/or drawn narration
- Copywork
We also continue with cursive practice and cursive copywork.
Related: The Foundations of Language Arts in a Classical Charlotte Mason Education
My year 3 students practice continue to practice cursive through copywork and also using this Narnia cursive book.
Natural History / Nature Study
We have usually followed along with the special studies as recommended by The CMEC. We’ve enjoyed these special studies and overall recommendations for natural history.
However, since we are combining a variety of curriculum, here’s what we are currently using.
- Handbook of Nature Study
- Eyes + No Eyes series
- Burgess Seashore Book
- Nature Journals
- Star Lore — a variety of books and resources + star gazing
- Seasonal nature books
Common Family Subjects
I have written up separately about what we will study together as a family. Bible, devotionals, Shakespeare, artist study, etc are included in these posts. They are usually listed by the year’s curriculum picks.
Here are a few more related posts for common subjects:
- Morning Time
- Shakespeare + favorite resources
- Fairytales, Fables, Legends, and Myths in a Catholic Education
- Musical Education in our Homeschool
- Favorite Catechism Resources in Our Catholic Home
- Charlotte Mason Picture Study as Formation in Wonder
- Favorite Nature Study Resources
