Take an adventure together through history and geography
with this interactive family approach to learning. Courses are divided into 9
units, with each unit taking about one month. This is flexible, as each unit
offers teaching notes, library lists, activities, enrichment ideas, and
carefully selected rabbit trails to go deeper into a topic. Families with learners
of different ages will appreciate that within each unit, the activities and
recommended reading are further divided into three grade levels: 1-4, 5-8, and
9-12, along with lesson activities and readings as a family.
Layers of Learning offers separate history and geography
courses that can be used separately or in tandem. If new to cyclical history
study, it is recommended that you begin with Ancient History (Year 1),
although families who have completed an ancient history course could begin with
Middle Ages (Year 2) or Colonial History (Year 3).
Geography begins with an overview in Year 1, People and
Planet. Year 2 expands on this knowledge with Mapping Our World, and
World Cultures are studied in Year 3.
Also available are corresponding, optional Student Journals
that are used throughout the four years to personalize the learning experience:
the Book of Years blank timeline and World Explorer’s Journal.
These icons are designed to help you quickly understand and learn important information about our products.
Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
