Subjects
How each subject is taught.
Living Heritage covers all the subjects in school — and treats each one through the same Reformed theological lens and Charlotte Mason method.
Knowledge of God
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Bible
Daily, foundational, woven through every cycle.
From Scripture memory, catechism, and the historic creeds and confessions, prayers and hymns in Together Time; to cultivating the habit of personal devotions through the whole Bible; to sermons, apologetics, ethics, biblical counseling, Puritans and other classics, systematic theology, and more — Bible isn't a subject alongside others — it's the soil.
Knowledge of Humanity
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History
4-year family cycle, a relational pageant.
Grades 1-4 learn the history of their country — men and women of courage, morality, responsibility, industry; stories of providence, fortitude, and faith. In Grades 5-12, the 4-year cycle continues with American, adding concurrent Britain streams (1600 → 2000s), alongside the Ancient World stream (Ancient Egpyt/Mesopotamia → Greco-Roman → Medieval → Renaissance/Reformation), helping students see patterns, cause and effect, and form relations.
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Civics
Citizenship, magnanimity, an intelligent patriotism.
A Group II subject — An introduction to the framework of American self-government and free-market economics, the responsibilities of citizens and governments, and the virtues and pitfalls of good leadership through beginning Plutarch readings.
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Government & Economics
Plutarch's Lives, economics, and the modern world.
A Group III subject — Reading through select Plutarch's Lives on how statesmen lead and republics rise and fall, paired with contemporary conservative geopolitics and free-market economics. Grade 12 has special courses on the Constitution and the beliefs and institutions that have nurtured the American commonwealth as well as a deeper dive into the principles that sustain a free market economy.
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Literature
Classics that have stood the test of time.
Classic literature — the best that has been written; the Good, True, and Beautiful books that have shaped the cultural imagination of the Western world. We treat literature as art, never as a tool for ideology analysis.
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English
Grammar, composition, and rhetoric.
Phonics and introduction to grammar in Group I. Formal grammar and beginning writing building from 5th grade and up into formal composition and rhetoric (as well as creative writing) in high school, culminating with a senior thesis. Narration as the foundation of everything.
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Languages
Biblical Greek, Latin, and modern language options.
Spanish and French options from Grade 1. Koine Greek (primary) and Latin offered from Grade 5. Greek deepens with a PhD-instructor class in Group III and NT translation by Grade 12.
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Art
Picture study, art history, drawing, and watercolor.
Exposure to beautiful art starting as early as Kindergarten to form a picture gallery in the mind. Art history through living books in Grades 5-12 deepens appreciation. Grades 1-8 learn drawing techniques, nature drawing, and watercolor to make art of their own.
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Music
Composer study, hymns, music history, theory, and singing instruction.
Classical music listening and composer study alongside sung hymnody from Group I. Grades 1-8 learn sight-singing and solfege with Kodály hand signs through our exclusive video instruction as well as music theory. Grades 1-12 read composer biographies, read stories and watch videos of opera selections, and get a chronological history of music.
Knowledge of the Universe
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Geography
Living geography books, map work, physical geography.
Grades 1-12 travel around the world through books, looking at maps, and also learn the physical features of the land. World map drawing, map games, and living geography readings from every continent keyed to the cycle's era.
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Mathematics
Arithmetic, practical geometry, and high school math at your pace.
Recommended open-and-go Charlotte Mason arithmetic books for Grades 1-6 give you structure while leaving you flexible to work at your child's pace. Practical Geometry is introduced once per week in grades 5 & 6. Pre-algebra and pre-geometry as well as mathematical problem-solving in everyday life in grades 7-8. High school offers several options for Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 + Trig, and Calculus OR Personal Finance. Families pick their preferred style — parent-led, video, or live Charlotte Mason math courses.
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Science
Natural philosophy. Young-earth. Wonder and wisdom.
Grades 1-12. Living books science, never textbooks. Unapologetically young earth. Nature study and wonder lay the foundation. Home-friendly labs from grades 5-12. Five full-credit Charlotte Mason science options at the high-school level (also available à la carte). Apologetics in high school for biblical thinking about science.
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Physical Education
Training the body as well as the mind.
Open-and-go Swedish Drill video and scripted instruction (or sports/exercise of your choice) — disciplined, joyful stewardship of the body as part of the school day. Cultivates attention, observation, and careful execution. Aligns the body and builds coordination, flexibility, and core strength.
When you're ready to begin
All subjects, all cycles, every plan.
Pick a plan and start your year.