For many Christian homeschool families—especially those drawn to Charlotte Mason and Classical philosophies—history becomes the anchor of the homeschool year. It’s the golden thread that ties so many rich subjects together: literature, geography, worldview, character, vocabulary, and more.

That’s certainly how it’s worked in our home.

For well over a decade, our family has wrapped every school year around history. It’s more than just a subject to check off the list. It’s the story into which everything else fits. History offers the backbone for meaningful conversations, for seeing God’s providence over time, for developing wisdom and discernment, and even for making sense of today’s world events.

It gives our children something deeply needed in today’s disconnected world: context.

This is exactly why we created Sequence 1—a robust, adaptable, literature-rich curriculum centered on history that becomes a nourishing feast for your entire homeschool.

**What Makes Sequence 1 Different?**

At the heart of Sequence 1 is a guided, literature-based study of mostly American history, beginning with early explorers and ending around 1815. Your child will walk through the early shaping of the American story with clarity, structure, and meaning—but in a way that feels gentle and human.

This isn't a dry textbook-driven journey. It’s a living education that covers:

Famous inventors and inventions
Foundational American history from multiple perspectives
The Transatlantic Slave Trade, with sensitivity to age and emotional maturity
Historical figures like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson
Hands-on projects and flexible extensions for different learning styles and ages

But Sequence 1 doesn’t stop at history. It was designed as a buffet of rich and varied tools that reinforce each topic and support learners across modalities—whether your child thrives on hands-on experiences, auditory processing, or visual aids.

What’s Included in Sequence 1?

Let’s walk through what you’ll find inside:

Memory Recitations connected to key historical content, building vocabulary and confidence
U.S. Geography connections, layered naturally throughout
Narration prompts and copywork passages to support oral and written expression
Carefully curated living literature lists, bringing history to life through engaging characters and timeless prose
Simple worksheets that guide without overwhelming
Optional hands-on activities, designed to enhance engagement and bring learning into real life (and yes, they're easy to expand for older or younger kids too)

Whether your homeschool thrives on projects and creative exploration or prefers a consistent rhythm and light structure, Sequence 1 is intentionally flexible. You can adapt it to your season, your child, and your homeschool style.

What Grades Is Sequence 1 Designed For?

Sequence 1 was created for kids in first, second, or third grade, and it was built with the one-room schoolhouse model in mind. Using our optional Beef It Up book list, you can easily expand the experience for older siblings while keeping the entire family on the same historical track.

Because it doesn’t include leveled instruction like math or phonics, it works beautifully for families who want shared content-area learning without separating kids into different programs for each subject.

If your older child already has a dedicated grammar or spelling curriculum, no problem—you can simply skip those pieces in Sequence 1 and focus on the core content. Like all Gentle + Classical curriculum, it’s designed as a buffet. Take what you need, leave what you don’t.

What Subjects Does Sequence 1 Cover?

While history is the central thread, Sequence 1 gently integrates several additional subjects using Charlotte Mason and Classical methods:

Bible + Catechism
Copywork + Recitation
Narration
Historical and Classic Literature
U.S. Geography (States & Capitals)
Grammar + Spelling Memorization
Daily Work: calendar review, place value, mapping skills

Each week’s plan is intentionally organized and includes optional planning grids to help you feel confident and supported. Whether you love following a schedule or prefer to pick and choose as you go, Sequence 1 meets you where you are.

Want to See It in Action?

If you're a visual learner, we’ve created a YouTube playlist that includes:

A full product walkthrough of Sequence 1
A peek into our homeschool morning using Sequence 1
Additional videos showing how the components come together in daily life

Sometimes seeing it in motion is the best way to know whether it’s a fit for your family.

You Don’t Have to Piece It All Together Alone

Whether you’re starting fresh or adjusting your homeschool rhythm, I want to gently remind you:

You don’t have to choose between structure and flexibility, or between richness and simplicity. Sequence 1 was created to honor both.

It’s possible to build a year that’s full of wonder without drowning in prep work. It’s possible to explore history with your children in a way that honors God, cultivates wisdom, and leaves room for peace.

As always, I’m praying for your joy and peace as you plan. And I’m cheering you on as you seek what’s best for your unique, beautiful family.

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