Charlotte Mason Form 2
Living Books and Supplies for Grades 4-6
Form 2 roughly corresponds with grades 4-6 of the U.S. school system. Students ages in Form 2 can range from 9 to 12, or, sometimes, even up to age 13.
For more information about Form 2, or to plan your own custom curriculum, see the CM Your Way Form Guide for Form 2.
Or, for more information about Forms in general, see Understanding Forms in a Charlotte Mason Education.
Religious Studies
Living Books for Your Form 2 Student (Grades 4-6)
Please use the religious texts applicable to your family’s faith and denomination.
If you are not a religious family, see World Religions & Philosophies below.
Christianity
Judaism
Paterson Smyth Commentaries
For Your Bar or Bat Mitzvah Student
(Form 2A Upper)
World Religions & Philosophies
If you are not a religious family, feel free to replace with books about world religions or spiritual stories. Elements such as character building, virtues, and morality are woven into many other subjects, especially Literature, History, and Citizenship. You can also wait and add in world religions at a later date.
Literature
Literature for Your Form 2 Student (Grade 4-6)
Mythology for Your Form 2 Student (Grade 4-6)
Greek Mythology
Iliad & Odyssey Retellings
Norse Mythology
Tales of Asgard by Keary
Arthurian Legend
Poetry for Your Form 2 Student
Cats by T.S. Eliot – I love reading these poems with my kids! We also listen to the music and see a show if possible!
“Poetry for Young People” Series
“Poetry for Young People” Series
“Poetry for Kids” Series
Additional Living Books for Free Reading
History
Living History Books for Your Form 2 Student (Grades 4-6)
Form 2 History includes American History, British History, and Ancient History.
See the Form 2 Guide for more detailed info
I am providing several options for American History:
- Option #1: Use one American History book as your History Spine >> jump to this section
- Option #2: Use a series of books as your History Spine >> jump to this section
- Option #3: Use the Betsy Maestro series to study American History through picture books >> jump to this section
- Option #4:Use many books to study American History through Biographies and Events >> jump to this section
American History Option #1
Use one of the 4 books listed below as your main History Spine:
Spine Option #1: America First by Lawton Evans.
This is a wonderfully narrative book and does not require any previous knowledge.
Be sure to purchase the AMERICA FIRST UPDATED EDITION.
Spine Option #2: A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston
This book gets the job done but is not as narrative as America First.
Spine Option #3: The Story of the Thirteen Colonies and The Great Republic by H.A. Guerber
This book is a bit harder than either of the previous books and is also an option for Form 3.
Spine Option #4: If you’d rather start with Native American history, I recommend The Book of Indians by Holling C. Holling.
American History Option #2
The Steve Sheinkin American History Series
This option includes easier, but more modern books.
Don’t be put off with the style look of these books by Steve Sheinkin – they pack a good deal of information in a very engaging style!
Unfortunately, this series leaves out certain periods in American history (most notably early American history), so you will need to supplement with other books if you wish to cover those time periods. You can fill in the gaps with biographies.
Note: The Notorious Benedict Arnold and Bomb are best suited for older students in Form 2A Upper (Year 6).
These books are also recommended for Form 3 students.
History Option #3:
The Betsy Maestro American History series
The Betsy Maestro American History series are picture books with simple historical info told in a fairly straight-forward way. Some books are out-of-print, but most can be found at your local library.
History Option #4:
American History through Biographies & Events
These books are good examples of books you could use instead of or in addition to the spines listed above.
Books for Early American History
Books for the American Revolution
Books for American History 1790 – 1850
Books for the American Civil War Era
Options for British History
Any of the books listed here can be used as a History Spine for a second history stream focused on British History.
Charlotte used Our Island Story by H.E. Marshall for her Form 1 students, but I think it works wonderfully for Form 2 as well, especially since it is used as a second history stream.
It is beautifully narrative and a wonderful way to learn British history.
Charlotte used A History of England by H.O. Arnold-Forster for Form 2 students.
It is much harder and assumes that the student has some prior knowledge of British history.
I think this book works better for a Form 3 student.
The British Empire by Gerald Johnson is a much more brief look at British history.
It is not as narrative as An Island Story, but it is much easier than the Arnold-Forster book.
Unfortunately, this book is also out-of-print and difficult to find.
Options for Ancient History
Any of the books listed here can be used as a History Spine for a third history stream focused on Ancient History.
Or you could use Story of the World (Volume 1) by Susan Wise Baur as an easier and more condensed option for ancient history.
Historical Fiction
These books are good examples of books you could use for History Tales / Historical Fiction.
Other Books & Things I Love for Form 2 Students
These are good examples of books you can use as reference books, supplements, or books just for fun!
Geography
Living Geography Books for Your Form 2 Student (Grades 4-6)
Regional Geography
Regional Geography
Regional Geography
Map Skills
Other Books I Love for Form 2 Geography
Supplies and Other Fun Stuff for You and Your Student
Globe
Wooden Puzzle Maps
Puzzles
Wall Maps
Citizenship
Citizenship Books for Your Form 2 Student (Grades 4-6)
Plutarch’s Lives: Roman
Plutarch’s Lives: Greek
American Government
Science
Living Science Books for Your Form 2 Student (Grades 4-6)
Any of the books listed here can be used as a Science book for Form 2
BFSU
Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding
Nature Lore Books for Your Form 2 Student (Grades 4-6)
Science Experiment Books for Form 2
Any of the books listed here can be used for Science Experiments
Other Books I Love for Form 2 Student (Grades 4-6)
Books you can use for special studies or just for fun!
Science Supplies for You and Your Form 2 Student (Grades 4-6)
Supplies and fun things for you and your student!
Foreign Language
More options coming soon…
Handicrafts
Handicraft Books for Your Form 2 Student (Grades 4-6)
Rooted Childhood
Rooted Childhood is a lovely monthly download designed by a fellow CM mom. It features handicrafts, poems, songs, and recipes to share with your child. Use the coupon code CMPLENARY10 to get 10% off!
Handicraft Supplies for You and Your Form 2 Student
Picture Study
N.C. Wyeth
N.C. Wyeth (1882-1945) was an American artist who was known for his illustrations in many children’s books published by Scribner’s.
Johannes Vermeer
Vermeer (1632-1675) was a Dutch artist of the Baroque period. He is known for his domestic scenes of middle-class life.
Folksongs
Have fun singing together! Many children’s songs are based on folk songs. Here are some music suggestions that my kids loved when they were little. I have so many fond memories of singing these songs together!
Also see the “For Parents” tab under this subject for more resources.
For specific Folk Song recommendations, see the Folk Songs Rotation Page for the Wildwood Curriculum or their page listing Folk Songs by Historical Era.
Drill / Physical Education
Physical Education Books for Your Form 2 Student (Grades 4-6)
P.E. Supplies for You and Your Student
These are all items that my children have used for exercise fun.
Composer Study
I recommend the Composer Study Companion Series by RaeAnna Goss. The Bach Issue listed below is a free sample, but she has many other composers available.
See the example for Bach below for how you might add a picture book as a biography for a composer.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Composer Study Companion Series by RaeAnna Goss – the Bach issue is a free sample
Also see the Composer Study tab on the Kindergarten Page for more fun ideas!
Grammar
More options coming soon…
Latin
Another option for Form 2 Latin is Minimus.
Also available at Rainbow Resource here.