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I've gotten several questions about which curriculum to use and when, and I wanted to share some insight from 26 years of
homeschooling. At the Peaceful Press, we believe in family-centered homeschooling, choosing as few resources as possible, and
,-J CONNECTION .. THROUGH CURRICULUM
I've gotten several questions about which curriculum to use and when, and I wanted to share some insight from 26 years of
homeschooling.
At the Peaceful Press, we believe in family-centered homeschooling, choosing as few resources as possible, and combining grades so
that we can savor homeschooling instead of stressing over it.
We want you to have plenty of time to read aloud to your children, bake together, and take a nature walk, without feeling like you
are falling behind.
“the greatest service we can do to education today is to teach few subjects. No one has time to do more than a very few things
well before he is twenty, and when we force a boy into mediocrity in a dozen subjects we destroy his standards, perhaps for
life.” ~ C.S Lewis
C.S. Lewis agreed as well, and so we have a few tips here for simplifying homeschool with your children.
Preschool and Kindergarten
If you have children four or under who don't know their letters, consider The Peaceful Preschool. The Peaceful Preschool is a
developmentally gentle curriculum designed to help you prepare your child for school, while enjoying great books and hands on
activities together. The guide includes daily activities for cultivating strong motor skills, which help ensure school success.
If you have children six and under who know their letters, choose Nourishing Nature Kindergarten. You will find daily read-aloud
suggestions, phonics, counting skills, fine and large motor skills, handwriting and more to create a fun and developmentally
appropriate year with your child. Each month includes activities centered around nature themes to gift your child with a greater
appreciation for the outdoors as they learn.
Elementary Students
If you have children between ages 6 and 12 (many have used these guides into middle school and beyond), we recommend looping
through The Precious People (World History) The Kind Kingdom (European History), and The Playful Pioneers (American History). Many
Charlotte Mason families choose the history of their own home country first, and you could work your way from the closest in
familiarity (for most of us this is Playful PIoneers American History) outward towards European and World History.
The Precious People guide will lead you through daily readings designed to introduce your child to ancient history through the
early middle ages, as well as jumping into studies of non-western cultures through engaging literature and projects.
The Kind Kingdom guide will lead you through daily readings designed to provide a 30-week overview of major events in Europe,
using the Chronicles of Narnia, Grimm's Fairy Tales, and Beautiful Stories From Shakespeare as a spine.
The Playful Pioneers includes 30 weeks of learning centered around American history using the Little House on the Prairie series
as a spine.
If you've done an initial cycle with the Peaceful Press you can follow that with our Volume 2 offerings.
Playful Pioneers Volume 2 covers all 50 states using the Holling C. Holling books to highlight American geography with read alouds
such as Freedom Train, Of Courage Undaunted, and A Year With Miss Agnes. We feature one region per month and also include a two
week study of the Constitution of the United States.
KInd Kingdom Volume 2 covers a similar timeline to Kind Kingdom Volume 1 with books such as Treasures in the Snow, I, Juan de
Pareja, and The Hiding Place. It's a great resource for late elementary and middle school.
In 2025 we will also release a new Precious People Volume 1 with a more lighthearted overview of world geography, and our current
Precious People Volume 1 with it's more mature ancient history themes will become Volume 2. The current Precious People is a great
choice for families starting Classical Conversations Cycle 1 in the fall. The literature is incredible, but families will need to
use caution with the missionary stories Mimosa and Jungle Calls which contain some intense scenes.
Click here to get a free sample of each of our curriculum bundles. We offer a full week free of each of our curriculum bundles.
What Else Do I Need?
With children in grades 1-3, we add phonics and spelling (the elementary resources include writing and notebooking or narration
prompts so you don't need added writing). We recommend All About Reading and Explode the Code.
With children in grades 4-8, you could add grammar and writing. We love Fix-It Grammar and History-Based Writing Lessons.
For all elementary ages, you will add a math resource. We have found Right Start Math to be the most comprehensive and concrete,
but many families have used Math With Confidence, Math U See, or CTC Math and love these resources.
What About After Elementary School?
Once you've gotten through the elementary school years and developed a love of learning with your child, there are a million
beautiful choices for the junior high and high school years.
We have kept our junior high students learning with our Peaceful Press resources, simply adding in extra reading and writing.
Later, we create a course of study based on what our older child is interested in, and what their educational goals are.
Click to read more about our recommendations for older students
Click below to shop our life giving homeschool resources.
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MY NEW BOOK IS HERE!
In Habits for a Sacred Home I share nine practices from history that can anchor and restore modern families, along with inspiring
stories of women of faith.
It's an amazing way to nurture a family vision this summer!
If you've read yours, would you take a minute to leave a review? The book is still in the top charts for Christian family books,
and reviews will help it stay relevant so more mothers can get this hopeful message.
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Have you listened to the latest podcast episode? I talked with Emelie about nurturing simplicity. Please keep sharing and leaving
reviews, it means the world to us!
You can listen here.
Q. Are you speaking at any conferences this year?
A. Yes! Mark your calendars for:
Texas Homeschool Convention weekend of May 30 in Houston
Rooted Home Conference on June 22 in Northern California (SOLD OUT)
NCHC on July 19-20
Restoration Home Retreat in Tennessee on October 11-13. (This is just for members of the Restoration Home Community. We open again
in late June.
I hope to see you at some of these events!
Want to learn more about my philosophy of education and family life? Here are a few places you can learn from me.
Thanks for reading, friend!
Jennifer
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