For comprehensive guidance, please see The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home, The Essential Edition, by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise, published by W.W. Norton, 2024.
In The Well-Trained Mind, Susan Wise Bauer and her mother, Jessie Wise, make the following recommendations for a complete language arts program. For a visual representation of their suggestions, check out the Curriculum Map. (Download the Curriculum Map to get a version with hyperlinks to our product pages.)
| Grades 1-4 | Grades 5 and up | |
| Grammar | First Language Lessons, Levels 1, 2, 3, or 4 | Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind |
| Writing |
The text The Complete Writer: Writing With Ease is an optional 4-year guide for teaching elementary writing. Use this book for all four years if you wish to use your own writing samples for narration, dictation, and copy work. Writing With Ease Levels 1-4: The workbooks include both the scripted Instructor Guide and the Student Pages (prepared narration, dictation, and copy work materials). Use Diagnostic Tests to determine correct level. More information follows. |
Writing With Skill, Levels 1-3. Both Instructor Guide and Student Workbook required. Start at Level 1. Optional: The Creative Writer, Levels 1-4. Not a substitute for expository writing. |
| Learning to Read / Reading | The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading (phonics) and your library card. You can read more from Jessie Wise’ FAQ about Phonics and Reading. | Literature selections aligned with history or areas of interest. See The Well-Trained Mind. |
| Spelling |
Your choice. We recommend Spelling Workout, by Modern Curriculum Press. Start spelling when the student has mastered phonics. |
Finish spelling; move into vocabulary study. |
More About the Recommended Books and How to Use Them
Check out these articles for more information about each title:
- Tell Me About Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading
- Tell Me About First Language Lessons
- Tell Me About Writing With Ease
- Tell Me About Writing With Skill
- Tell Me About Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind
To learn more about these materials:
- Read the product description on each product’s ordering page.
- Click the Sample button on each product’s ordering page.
- Search the articles and videos produced by Susan Wise Bauer and others.
- Look at the available Scope and Sequence documents.
Additional Information
- Based on the first years of customer feedback, Susan Wise Bauer wrote this article updating Writing With Ease, Writing With Skill Recommendations. These recommendations are included in the newer editions of The Well-Trained Mind, 4th Edition, and Essential Edition. This article describes a few options that can help you find a way forward if your student is starting "out of sequence."
- Articles and Videos to Help You Homeschool