Curriculum
A Rich, Engaging Curriculum
An In-Depth Look
One of the hallmarks of classical education is a rich and engaging curriculum in which all subjects are seamlessly woven together. Each element of the curriculum is intentionally chosen in order to help students recognize the interconnectedness of ideas and find their place in the great conversation.
Through the sequential study of God’s Word, students develop an understanding of the overarching metanarrative of Scripture, basic theological concepts and major biblical themes, the attributes and characteristics of God, and the plan of salvation.
Kindergarten: Leading Little Ones to God
1st Grade: Genesis-Ruth
2nd Grade: I Samuel-Malachi
3rd Grade: Gospels
4th Grade: Acts and Paul’s Letters
5th Grade: General Epistles and John’s Writings
6th Grade: Old Testament Survey I
7th Grade: Old Testament Survey II
8th Grade: New Testament Survey
At all grade levels, students are trained to read deliberately and thoroughly, discussing great works of literature with energy and imagination. Classic works that have stood the test of time serve as the backbone of our literature curriculum, stories that reveal God’s beauty, sovereignty, and creativity, reflecting the ultimate story of love and redemption found only in Christ.
Kindergarten:
A wide variety of classic trade books including the following read alouds:
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The Ugly Duckling
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Winnie the Pooh
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The Velveteen Rabbit
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The Elves and the Shoemaker
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Trumpet of the Swan
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Grandma Attic
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1st Grade:
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Little Bear
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Curious George
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Frog and Toad Are Friends
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Harry the Dirty Dog
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Henry and Mudge
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Nate the Great
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Caps for Sale
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Madeline
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Miss Nelson is Missing
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Stone Soup
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Bread and Jam for Frances
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Corduroy
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The Little Engine that Could
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Billy and Blaze
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Ox-Cart Man
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Make Way for Ducklings
2nd Grade:
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Miss Rumphius
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A New Coat for Anna
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Bears on Hemlock Mountain
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The Courage of Sarah Noble
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Little House in the Big Woods
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The Boxcar Children
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The Odyssey
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Pompeii Buried Alive
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The Trojan Horse
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The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus
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3rd Grade:
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Homer Price
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Charlotte’s Web
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Island of the Blue Dolphins
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The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
4th Grade:
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A Little Pilgrim’s Progress
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
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I, Juan de Pareja
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Ten Tales from Shakespeare
5th Grade:
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Amos Fortune
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Sign of the Beaver
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Where the Red Fern Grows
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A Wrinkle in Time
6th Grade:
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Lincoln Photobiography
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Across Five Aprils
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A Christmas Carol
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The Hobbit
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The Magician's Nephew
7th Grade:
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The Fellowship of the Ring
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The Cat of Bubastes
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Heroes, Gods, and Monsters of the Greek Myths
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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
8th Grade:
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White Fang
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American Short Stories
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The Trojan War with portions of the Iliad and Odyssey
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20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Vero Classical's Language Arts program encompasses and integrates formal instruction in phonics, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and writing. Through the intentional teaching of proper grammar and syntax, the development of an expansive vocabulary, and the practice of eloquent wordsmithing, we help students to not only organize their thoughts well but also to express them beautifully.
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Kindergarten through Second Grade students master the basics of phonics through the Saxon Phonics curriculum. During these three years of formal phonics instruction, students will not only learn letter and letter combination sounds, but also the rules for when to apply those sounds and patterns as they learn to spell words. As a result of the precision involved in this method of learning, students are not only excellent readers but also very proficient spellers.
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Formal phonics training ends in Second Grade and is replaced by vocabulary development through the implementation of Wordly Wise moving forward. With the proper foundation of reading and spelling, we turn the focus of our students to the joy of diction and the power of words.
Kindergarten: Beginning writing skills
1st Grade: Shurley Grammar 1
2nd Grade: Shurley Grammar 2
3rd Grade: Shurley Grammar 3
4th Grade: Shurley Grammar 4
5th Grade: Warriner’s 1
6th Grade: Warriner’s 2
7th Grade: Warriner’s 3
8th Grade: Warriner’s 4
Studying the Latin language not only provides an excellent foundation for understanding the roots of English vocabulary and subsequently studying other Romance languages, it also systematically trains the mind to think in an orderly fashion, to perform rigorous analysis, and encounter unfamiliar material in a disciplined way.
3rd Grade: Latin for Children A
4th Grade: Latin for Children A
5th Grade: Latin for Children B
6th Grade: Cambridge I
7th Grade: Cambridge II
8th Grade: Cambridge III
Through a comprehensive and chronological study of history, students are led to recognize God’s sovereignty and providence as it has been revealed throughout time. They come to understand the historical significance and chronological position of influential people and watershed events from creation to present, as well as the influence of these on contemporary thought and culture. The foundational curriculum used for History is Story of the World. Teachers also supplement this resource with numerous primary sources and books.
​Kindergarten: Overview of History
1st Grade: Ancient Civilizations
2nd Grade: Greece and Rome
3rd Grade: Middle Ages
4th Grade: Renaissance and Reformation
5th Grade: Age of Revolution
6th Grade: Modern Era
7th Grade: Ancient Civilizations and Greece
8th Grade: Rome/American Civics
At Vero Classical, we teach not only the procedures of mathematics, but the underlying concepts as well. This yields a much stronger retention of the material, the flexibility to apply knowledge to new situations, the ability to discern best approaches to problems, and a true delight in the subject matter.
Kindergarten: Saxon 1
1st Grade: Saxon 2
2nd Grade: Singapore Math in Focus 2
3rd Grade: Singapore Math in Focus 3
4th Grade: Singapore Math in Focus 4
5th Grade: Singapore Math in Focus 5
6th Grade: Singapore Math in Focus 6
7th Grade: Singapore Math in Focus 7A and 7B
8th Grade: Elementary Algebra
At Vero Classical, students are trained to employ scientific methods, engaging in learning that is founded on direct experience and building an understanding that is both functional and deep, allowing students to develop a genuine appreciation of each branch of scientific study.
Kindergarten: God’s Creation
1st Grade: Zoology
2nd Grade: Botany and Anatomy
3rd Grade: Astronomy
4th Grade: Geology and Meteorology
5th Grade: Introduction to Physics
6th Grade: Chemistry
7th Grade: Biology
8th Grade: Physics
A comprehensive study of each country and continent of the world empowers students to understand historical events and literary texts in the context of culture, nurturing globally-minded leaders who exhibit compassion and empathy.
Kindergarten: Continents and Oceans
1st Grade: North America
2nd Grade: Asia
3rd Grade: Europe
4th Grade: South America, Australia, Oceania
5th Grade: Africa
6th Grade: Pre-Logic (The Fallacy Detective; The Thinking Toolbox)
7th Grade: Introductory Logic (The Discovery of Deduction)
8th Grade: Intermediate Logic
K-8 Art: Art History and Appreciation, Development of Artistic Skills
K-8 Music: Music History and Appreciation; Music Theory; Vocal Training
K-8 Drama: Drama History and Appreciation; Dramatic Skills Development
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​Fine Arts classes are tailored to each grade's curriculum with consideration of the content studied in Science, History, Geography, Bible, and Literature.
K-8 Physical Education:
Individual Skills; Team Sports; Physiology and Nutrition
PE will be included everyday for every grade.
• Kindergarten & 1st Grade - 30 minutes daily
• 2nd-5th Grade - 45 minutes daily