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Group I — Grades 1 to 4

The years the imagination is set on fire.

Chapter books read aloud. Simple narration begins. All subjects through living books that reach the heart and real-life observation that fosters wonder.

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What changes from Kindergarten

Formal lessons begin — and narration becomes the heart of learning

At about age six, Living Heritage children start narration: after a short reading, they tell back what they heard. This single practice — only truly possible with living books — replaces decades of dry workbooks. It builds attention, vocabulary, sequencing, reading comprehension, and composition skills in a way no fill-in-the-blank ever could.

Subjects in Group I

About 2.5 hours of formal lessons per day, plus extra independent reads for 3rd and 4th graders.

  • Bible

    Bible lessons through Scripture readings and church history biographies. Daily Scripture memory, catechism, prayer, and hymns through Together Time. Daily personal Bible reading for fluent readers builds a lifelong habit in God's Word.

  • American History

    Group I reads American history — the Explorers and Pilgrims through the 2000s over 4 cycles — through living narratives and biographies that spark the imagination and inspire virtue.

  • Literature

    Read-alouds of classic chapter books — beautifully written, time-tested books that every child should know and love.

  • English

    Phonics and reading practice, dictation for spelling, handwriting and copywork beginning with printing and then beginning cursive. An introduction to parts of speech. 4th graders learn to type. Short daily lessons.

  • Math

    Daily arithmetic lessons. Charlotte Mason–style math with real-life manipulatives and real-life word problems.

  • Geography

    Travel from the Arctic region down to South America and across Europe, America, Australia, and the Middle East through living story. Play map games, create landforms out of sand, and more.

  • Art

    Short, simple drawing lessons plus handicrafts. Picture Study of the masters in Together Time form a picture gallery in the mind.

  • Music

    Folk songs and classical music listening. Composer biographies for children. Solfege video lessons lay the foundation for sight singing.

  • Foreign Languages

    Optional. Learning language through everyday tasks and actions. Spanish and French available. Daily, detailed Charlotte Mason–style Spanish plans with audio also available.

  • Science / nature study

    Nature study topics through living books and hands-on observation. Cycle 1: Birds, Insects, Intro to Microbiology. Cycle 2: Weather + Astronomy. Cycle 3: Animals / Tracking + Geology. Cycle 4: Plant Life + Ocean Life. Nature notebook inspiration and naturalist biographies inspire outdoor observation and recording.

  • PE

    Training both the body and the mind through attention, observation, careful execution, and discipline. Open-and-go Swedish Drill scripted video exercises or the sports / exercise program of your choice.

Why American history first

Children learn to love what is near before what is far.

Young children in grades 1–4 study the history of their own country — what they know — first and then move outward geographically and in complexity of times and worldviews. In all the subjects, including history, we are moving from concrete to more abstract as children mature. We're helping them learn to notice and wonder first about what's around them and then with increasing complexity things that are far removed in space and time.

Not only does this way of studying history allow children to grow in their historical understanding as they mature, but it also keeps the young years simple and short with only one stream of history to follow.

Once a child has read deeply in American history through fourth grade, his imagination has a foundation. From Group II onward, world history opens up through concurrent British history and the study of ancient time periods. For those who would like some independent reading for Group I students to spark an interest in ancient history alongside older siblings or who need some easier book choices for struggling Group II students, we have included optional Ancient history plans for Group I.

Children reading together

Sample schedule

A sample week for Group I (Grades 1–4).

All times are approximate and every plan is fully editable. Group I works alongside a parent, with Together Time anchoring each morning and a lighter Friday.

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9:00 Together Time Together Time Together Time Together Time Together Time
9:10 Bible
9:20 History
9:30 Bible Bible Bible Bible Literature
9:40 Math Math Math Math Science
9:50 Opt. Math
10:00 Snack Break Snack Break Snack Break Snack Break Snack Break
10:10 History History History History Nature Explore
10:20 Art Geography Art Music
10:30 Literature Literature Literature Literature
10:40 Handwriting Copywork Handwriting Copywork
10:50 Science Nature Observation Science Nature Drawing
11:00 English Language English Language English Language English Language
11:10 Opt. Language Opt. Language Opt. Language Opt. Language
11:20 PE PE PE PE

A sample only — adjust the rhythm to fit your family. Group I lessons are short by design: about 10-20 minutes each.

A glimpse

Some of the books in a Living Heritage Group I (Grades 1–4) year.

Living books for Bible, history, classic literature, arithmetic, English, drawing, music, geography, PE, nature study, and science.

  • American History Spine
  • Option
  • Option
  • Various
  • Optional
  • Optional
  • Optional

Not every book is read in every grade. 3rd and 4th grade students have extra independent reads (some pictured here) and are sometimes given a choice between two. A complete linked book list with titles, publishers, and exclusive discount codes comes with the plan you purchase. About 60% of our elementary books are free online (cycles differ); many may be at your library, and all are in print. Wondering what that adds up to? See our note on yearly book costs →

Group I lays the solid foundation

Pick a cycle and start your elementary year.

Every cycle includes Group I, and every plan tier includes every cycle.

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