Simply Classical Curriculum for Special Needs

Description

Simply Classical is a gentle, classical Christian curriculum designed for children with special needs, learning struggles, or those who simply thrive with a slower pace. Created by Cheryl Swope, it combines the beauty and richness of classical education with built-in accommodations, multi-sensory learning, and extensive review so that all children can succeed.

This program starts with detailed lesson plans and recommended read-alouds, then gradually incorporates Memoria Press Classical Core resources. It emphasizes quality literature, poetry, music, art, and the development of language skills, while moving at a comfortable pace with plenty of repetition and review.

Key Features:

  • The rich, beautiful content of a classical Christian education
  • Slower pace with built-in review and repetition
  • Multi-sensory and oral-language focused lessons
  • Elegant, well-illustrated books
  • Integration across subjects
  • Skills checklists and readiness assessments
  • Themed levels with Socratic questioning

Curriculum Manuals provide everything parents need: program overview, readiness assessment (covering language, cognitive, emotional, fine & gross motor skills), book lists, supply lists, teacher notes, schedules, and detailed weekly lesson plans in an easy two-page grid format.

Pacing Options:

  • Most levels follow a standard pace
  • Levels 5 & 6 and higher offer One-Year Accelerated or Two-Year Standard pacing

Shopping Options:

  • Core Curriculum Packages: Include the Curriculum Manual + required books and workbooks
  • Read-Aloud Packages: Contain all recommended literature books
  • Add-On Packages: For families moving to the next level
  • Supply Packages: A collection of essential manipulatives, school supplies, and materials to complete the program

Simply Classical curriculum is ideal for children with autism, Down syndrome, developmental delays, or other learning challenges, as well as neurotypical students who benefit from a more deliberate, thorough approach.

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.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.