THE COTTAGE LEARNING COLLECTION YEAR 1 • THE FAMILY GUIDE

COTTAGE LEARNING COLLECTION A 36-WEEK CHARLOTTE MASON-INSPIRED FAMILY HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM

Cottage Learning Collection was created for families who want a homeschool rhythm that is beautiful, meaningful, flexible, and manageable. Inspired by Charlotte Mason, Montessori practical life, and Latter-day Saint faith, this 36-week curriculum brings children of different ages together for shared learning while still leaving room for individual books, math, spelling, and age-appropriate work.

STRUCTURE FOR THE WEEK. FREEDOM FOR THE DAY

Each week includes a simple Weekly School Checklist so parents can see what should be covered without being locked into a strict Monday-through-Friday schedule. Look over the week, choose what works for each day, and check things off as you go. Combine subjects when it makes sense, spend longer on something that sparks curiosity, move a lesson when life gets busy, or head outside when the weather is too beautiful to miss. The checklist keeps you moving forward without making your family feel behind.

A GENTLE FAMILY RHYTHM

The curriculum encourages independent morning reading followed by narration, family prayer and hymns, optional Scripture study, living history or science books, narration, math, copywork, spelling, dictionary skills, poetry, Shakespeare, Greek mythology, nature study, classical music, art, handicrafts, practical life, outdoor movement, and a family read-aloud. Preschool children are included through simple Montessori-inspired Three-Period Lessons and hands-on learning. 

LIVING BOOKS & REAL LEARNING

Rather than relying on piles of worksheets, children are encouraged to learn through living books, conversation, narration, nature, maps, artifacts, Scripture, music, art, and meaningful work. Families choose books that fit each child's age, interests, and abilities. After reading, children take turns telling what they know through verbal, artistic, or written narration. Older students can deepen their study through written questions and discussion. 

FAITH, HISTORY & CHARACTER

The year follows a broad Biblical, Latter-day Saint, and ancient-world history timeline from Creation through the early Christian world. Term history pages introduce important people, events, dates, inventions, maps, and artifacts while encouraging children to build their own visual timeline. Weekly habit study helps families intentionally cultivate attention, order, responsibility, kindness, perseverance, self-government, and other habits over time. Habits are meant to build upon one another rather than be rushed simply to keep pace with the calendar.

SHORT LESSONS. FULL ATTENTION. ROOM FOR CHILDHOOD

Lessons are meant to remain short enough for genuine attention. When interest and attention are gone, families are encouraged to bring the lesson to a natural close and continue another day. Formal schoolwork should have an ending, leaving children time for sunshine, exercise, outdoor play, hobbies, handicrafts, family life, and the discoveries that happen beyond a school desk.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND INSIDE

36 weeks of flexible family learning • 3 twelve-week terms • Weekly School Checklists • Biblical, LDS, and world-history timelines • Term history companions • 36 habits with practical ways to work on them • Living-book and narration guidance • Preschool learning guidance • Nature, Shakespeare, poetry, music, art, mythology, and handicraft ideas • Visual timeline and artifact study suggestions • Optional master book list for Preschool through High School • Sources and educational influences. 

PLEASE NOTE

Cottage Learning Collection is a family homeschool framework and enrichment curriculum, not a rigid all-in-one grade-level program. Families choose their own age-appropriate living books and sequential resources such as math and beginning reading/phonics when needed. Books are not included. The curriculum is independently created and is not produced, sponsored, or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Charlotte Mason organizations, Montessori organizations, or the authors and publishers referenced within. 

Biblical • Latter-day Saint • World History Timeline

(Please consider) Scriptural chronology and world-history chronology are shown together for comparison and study. Dates in ancient and scriptural history may be approximate, traditional, or debated.

Read worthy books. Build good habits. Learn together. Go outside. Let education become part of family life.

This is a digital download only. Not refundable.

File Size is 11 x 8.5 in., prepared to make a flipbook.