LITERATURE FOR THE AMERICAS

A Note

We learn history chronologically with a dual focus: On one hand, we study the country we live in, the United States of America, from the perspective of the Indigenous American, Anglo, and Spanish-speaking peoples in its territory.

Our “neighbor” country is a region, and that is the Spanish-speaking Americas.

We naturally touch on the history of England & Spain, and the European context of these two countries.

As we advance in our studies, we learn about the world, making specific stops in countries or events that are especially important to us or our focus countries.

When it’s time to learn about ancient times, we research, read, and visit ancient sites (when possible) of the native cultures in the Americas, and those in the Iberian peninsula and the British Isles, primarily.

First History Cycle Sample

Historical approach to the Americas previous to the encounter between the Indigenous Peoples and the European peoples. We learn about the native American worldview through legends and stories. We learn about the European world that frames the arrival of the first Europeans that left an imprint of Europe on this land–on behalf of the Spanish Crown.

Spines

For Teacher Reference:

History of the Indigenous Peoples

Tales, Myths and Legends

Primary Levels

Advanced Levels

History of the Hispanic Peoples

Primary Level:

Advanced Level:

History of Europe, Asia, Africa

Primary Level:

Advanced Level:

Free Reads

Second History Cycle

History of the rich cultures of what would-be the United States and first stages of its formation. History of the Spanish-speaking Americas. (SOON)

Third History Cycle

Introduction to Ancient History (SOON)

In Charlotte Mason’s Words

“We introduce children as early as possible to the contemporary history of other countries as the study of English history alone is apt to lead to a certain insular and arrogant habit of mind. […] Perhaps the gravest defect in school curricula is that they fail to give a comprehensive, intelligent and interesting introduction to history. To leave off or even to begin with the history of our own country is fatal. We cannot live sanely unless we know that other peoples are as we are with a difference, that their history is as ours, with a difference, that they too have been represented by their poets and their artists, that they too have their literature and their national life.”

An Essay Towards a Philosophy of Education, Charlotte Mason