( This is only to serve as a bibliography of how OUR family covered this material…please choose the books that fit the best for YOUR family and also refer to The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise for further information, teaching strategies, and instructions on notebooking.)

Year One:

Ancient History – The Story of the World and The Story of the World Activity
Book Vol. 1
- Eggermeier’s Bible Story Book

Science: Plants (6wks), Animals (20wks), and the Human Body(10 wks)
- recommended: Kingfisher First Animal Encyclopedia
- I prefer Answers in Genesis books like: Marvels of Creation: "Sesational Sea Creatures," "Magnificent Mammals," or "Breathtaking Birds" all by Buddy and Kay Davis; I also like their book called "Zoo Guide"
- However, the best I have found for covering Animals as described in "The Well
Trained Mind," is "Christian Liberty Nature Reader, book K" which
gives an in depth, God-honoring description of an animal for each letter of
the alphabet and includes color photos. An Excellent book.
- Also good are Zoology and Botony books by Jeannie Fullbright, from Apologia
They are wonderful for a full year of study complete with projects and
notebooking ideas. This would be a good choice if you would like
to try a different approach than described in "The Well Trained Mind", but
still cover some of the material they recommend for year 1.
- Green Thumbs by Laurie Carlson (recommended)
- Recommended: The Kingfisher First Human Body Encyclopedia (warning: covers the topic of reproduction, so depending on whether or not you have covered this ground with your children, you may want to keep it up on the shelf)
- My Magnificent Machine - a unique devotional covering different aspects of health and the human body
- Why Do Plants Grow? and Why Do Birds Build Nests? (Companion books that can help you cover material about plants and birds, but also serve as an introduction to human reproduction)

Year Two:

History: -The Story of the World, Volume 2 and accompanying Activity Book
- Days of Kinghts and Damsels by Laurie Carlson
-novels: The Door in the Wall by Marguerite DeAngeli and Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray are wonderful read alouds!
-The Man Who Loved Books by Jean Fritz

Science: Earth Science and Astronomy
- The Usborne First Encyclopedia of Our World and The Usborne First Encyclopedia of Space (recommended)
- I prefer: Exploring Creation with Astronomy by Jeannie Fulbright and Exploring God’s Creation by Geoffrey Garvey (for Earth Science see chapters 9-13…also includes chapters on astronomy, but Fulbright’s book is so exceptional, it is worth the extra purchase)

Year Three:

History:
- The Story of the World Volume 3 and accompanying Activity Book
-Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes as a read aloud
- The Light and The Glory for Children by Peter Marshall
(I have not yet read, but see also :From Sea to Shining Sea and Sounding Forth the Trumpet also by Peter Marshall)
-Cinnabar by Marguerite Henry
-The Covered Bridge by Cornelia Meigs
-By Wagon and Flatboat by Enid Le Monte Meadowcroft
-Ben and Me by Robert Lawson
-Mr. Revere and I by Robert Lawson
-Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution
-Wind in the Chimney by Cornelia Meigs
-Master Simon’s Garden by Cornelia Meigs
-Carry on Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
-Mike Venezia books on Presidents and Composers
-Opal Wheeler books on Composers
-Samuel Eaton's Day by Kate Waters
-Sarah Morton's Day by Kate Waters

Science:

Chemistry
-Adventures with Atoms and Molecules, books 1 and 2 (recommended)
- Chemistry for Every Kid by Janice VanCleave

Year Four:

Science:

Physics
-The Way Things Work (a great reference book and also look for videos at your library)

or, another option...
repeat
Zoology
-Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day (or other book by Jeannie Fulbright)
-Why Do Birds Build Nests? by Susan Horner
-Birds of Nebraska Field Guide by Stan Tekiela
-The Restless Robin by Marjorie Flack

History:
-The Story of the World Volume 4 and accompanying activity book
-The Little House on the Prairie Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
-Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco
-The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco
-Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
-A Rookie Biography: A.A. Milne, Author of Winnie the Pooh
-Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
-Mike Venezia Books about Presidents and Composers
-Opal Wheeler books about Composers
-Molly's Cookbook from the American Girls Collection
-Molly's Craft Book from the American Girls Collection
-Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot by Margot Theis Raven
-Once Upon a Town by Bob Greene (selections only, this is an adult book)
-Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop
-watch Mary Poppins (WW I) and The Sound of Music (WW II)

Depending on the age of your children, this may be a good time to stop and study US Geography, your State's Geography and History, some civics, How do we elect presidents?, etc...
-It Happened in America by Lila Perl
-Nebraska is My Home
-C is for Cornhusker
-Red, White, and Blue, and Uncle Who? by Teresa Bateman
-The Story of the White House by Kate Waters
-Journey Around Washington, D.C. from A to Z by Martha Day Zschock
to be continued...