History and Literature

History
In first through fifth grades, students use TAN’s Story of Civilization series to study the history of western civilization alongside stories of great Saints who helped to shape their societies. They have an ancient year, a medieval year, a modern European year, and an American year. Each chapter features a nonfictional story written in prose form, engaging the students’  imaginations as they encounter far-away and long-ago times. 
While history is shared with the youngest in the form of stories and related activities, the study of history begins in earnest in third grade.  One year of fourth grade is devoted to California and the Catholic and Spanish roots of America’s founding. 
Beginning in sixth grade, the students begin the spiral again, delving deeper to the ancient civilizations that formed the foundation of western civilization through Classical Academic Press’ Curious Historian series. In seventh grade, they complete this series with a study of the middle ages, and in eighth grade, they complete the cycle with a close look at modern European history and America’s place in it.

Literature
Understanding that childhood is a time of moral formation, we use great classic books to inspire a life of virtue in our students. Rather than waste their time with discursive analysis that ultimately robs students of the simple pleasure of reading, our students are invited to delight in these great stories, to consider their themes and moral lessons in an organic way through reading aloud, activities, and discussions that build upon the students’ ability to ask questions and use supporting textual evidence. Mere instruction in morality is not sufficient; “instead, a compelling vision of the goodness of goodness itself needs to be presented in a way that is attractive and stirs the imagination” (Vigen Guroian, Tending the Heart of Virtue, 20). By using the great stories of our civilization, we give our students an education in character. 
Beginning in third grade, and as much as possible, literature is tied directly to the historical period being studied, a link that is intensified in seventh and eighth grades’ humane letters program. Students also memorize and recite poetry, building a rich mental landscape of beautiful words and reinforcing communication and presentation skills.