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Recommendations

Curriculum

Concordia Catechetical Academy

The CCA is an auxiliary organization of Peace Lutheran Church, Sussex, Wisconsin made up of Lutheran pastors and laymen. The Academy is dedicated to the promotion of Luther’s Small Catechism and faithful Lutheran catechesis.

Simply Classical

Simply Classical is a special needs curriculum which guides parents, teachers, and schools in implementing the beauty of a classical education with all children.

Wittenberg Academy

Wittenberg Academy is a completely online Lutheran school. We are unabashedly Lutheran in our delivery of quality, classical education. Your student will receive instruction from teachers who believe, teach, and confess the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.

Canon Press

All the books at Canon Press equip you to say “Thy Kingdom come” and to live like that is actually happening.

Saxon Math

To master mathematics, students need to build on prior learning—what new concepts they can learn depends on which concepts they already know. Saxon Math™ provides a learning structure proven to advance students steadily and assuredly to higher levels of understanding.

Shurley English

Shurley English has assembled a unique combination of features to help students build a solid literacy foundation. Our experts organized the series logically, sequentially, and systematically for success. Abstract language arts concepts become clear and logical, using concrete, multi-sensory strategies that support all types of learners.

Spalding Method

The Writing Road to Reading Program is a multisensory method that teaches the foundational skills of reading and writing. Successful teaching of this method results in a student’s ability to read fluently, draw on a rich vocabulary, understand the structure of language, and become a skilled reader and writer.

Reading List for Parents and Educators

  • Bauer, Susan Wise. The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home. W.W. Norton, rev. 2004.

  • Brondos, Joel A. No Greater Treasure: Foundational Readings in Luther and Melanchthon on Education. Lulu, 2008.

  • Gregory, John Milton. The Seven Laws of Teaching. Baker Books, 2004.

  • Hicks, David V. Norms and Nobility: A Treatise on Education. University Press, 1999.

  • Kimball, Bruce A. The Liberal Arts Tradition: A Documentary History. Lanhan, MD: University Press of America, 2010.

  • Corbitt, Edward P. Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.

  • Egan, Kieran. Getting It Wrong from the Beginning: Our Progressivist Inheritance from Herbert Spencer, John Dewey, and Jean Piaget. New Haven, CN: Yale University Press, 2002.

  • Edmondson, Henry T. John Dewey & the Decline of American Education. Wilmington, DL: Intercollegiate Studies Books, 2006.

  • Joseph, Sister Miriam. The Trivium. Philadelphia: Paul Dry Books, 2002.

  • Kopff, E. Christian, The Devil Knows Latin: Why America Needs the Classical Tradition. ISI Books, 2000.

  • Korcok, Thomas. Lutheran Education: From Wittenberg to the Future. Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2011.

  • Korcok, Thomas. Serpents in the Classroom: The Poisoning of Modern Education and How the Church Can Cure It. New Reformation Publications, 2022.

  • Meany, John, and Shuster, Kate. Speak Out! Debate and Public Speaking in the Middle Grades. New York: International Debate Education Association, 2005.

  • Littlejohn, Robert, and Evans, Charles. Wisdom and Eloquence: A Christian Paradigm for Classical Learning. Crossway Books, 2006.

  • Luther, Martin. “Exhortation to the Councilmen that they establish and maintain Christian schools.” In Luther’s Works, American Edition, Volume 45. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1962.

  • Luther, Martin. “Sermon on Keeping Children in School.” In Luther’s Works, American Edition, Volume 46. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1967.

  • Luther, Martin. “To the Christian Nobility.” In Luther’s Works, American Edition, Volume 44. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1966.

  • Sayers, Dorothy. The Lost Tools of Learning. GLH Publishing, 2017.

  • Simmons, Tracy Lee. Climbing Parnassus: A New Apologia for Greek and Latin. ISI Books, 2002.

  • Sire, James. The Universe Next Door. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

  • St. Augustine. The Four Books of St. Augustine on Christian Doctrine. Indo-European Publishing, 2014.

  • Sturm, Johann. Johann Sturm on Education, edited and translated by Lewis Spitz and Barbara Sher Tinsley. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1995.

  • Swope, Cheryl, and Heine, Melinda. Curriculum Resource Guide for Classical Lutheran Education—Third Edition. CCLE Press, 2024.

  • Swope, Cheryl. A Handbook for Classical Lutheran Education: The Best of the Consortium for Classical and Lutheran Education’s Journals. Fort Wayne, IN: CCLE Press, 2013.

  • Swope, Cheryl. Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child. Memoria Press, 2013.

  • Veith, Gene Edward, and Kern, Andrew, ed. 1, Classical Education: The Movement Sweeping America. Washington, DC: Capital Research Center, 2001.

  • Veith, Gene Edward. God At Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life. Crossway, 2011.

Quality Literature

  • Fables (Aesop. Avenel, 1992)

  • Little Women (Alcott, Louisa. Puffin, 1988)

  • Billy and Blaze (Anderson, C.W.)

  • The Emperor’s New Clothes (Anderson, Hans Christian. Houghton Mifflin, 1949)

  • The Little Match Girl (Anderson, Hans Christian. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1987)

  • Camille and the Sunflowers (Anholt, Laurence)

  • Degas and the Little Dancer (Anholt, Laurence)

  • Puss in Boots (Arthur, Malcom, Trans. Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 1990)

  • The Complete Tales (Beatrix Potter. The Penguin Group, 1997)

  • Madeline (Bemelmans, Ludwig. Viking, 1993)

  • Sam the Minuteman (Benchley, Nathaniel. HarperCollins, 1987)

  • Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories (Bennett, William, ed. Simon & Schuster, 1993)

  • Shakespeare’s Stories: Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies (Birch, Beverly. Bedrick, 1988)

  • The Black Falcon (Boccaccio, retold by Wise, William Philomel, 1990)

  • A Bear Called Paddington (Bond, Michael. Houghton Mifflin, 1960)

  • Toliver’s Secret (Brady, Esther Wood. Random Books for Young Readers, 1993)

  • The Boy Who Loved to Draw: Benjamin West (Brenner, Barbara)

  • Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Brett, Jan. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1987)

  • Cinderella (Brown, Marcia. Aladdin Books, 1988)

  • The Runaway Bunny (Brown, Margaret Wise. HarperCollins, 1977)

  • The Secret Garden (Burnett, Frances Hodgson. Harper and Row, 1987)

  • The Children’s Aesop (Calmenson, Stephanie. Boyds Mills Press, 1992)

  • Harald and the Giant Knight and Harald and the Great Stag (Carrick, Donald. Clarion, 1988)

  • Alice in Wonderland (Carroll, Lewis. Schloastic/Apple Classic, 1988)

  • The Hare and the Tortoise (Castle, Caroline. Dial Books for Young Readers, 1985)

  • Stolen Thunder (Climo, Shirley. Clarion Books, 1994)

  • Canterbury Tales (Cohen, Barbara. Lothrop, 1988)

  • From Sea to Shining Sea: A Treasury of American Folklore and Folk Songs (Cohn, Amy L. Scholastic, 1993)

  • Pinocchio (Collodi, C.)

  • The Children’s Homer (Colum, Padraic)

  • America’s Robert E. Lee (Commager, Henry Steele and Ward, Lynd. Houghton Mifflin, 1951)

  • The Last of the Mohicans (Cooper, James Fenimore. Signet, 1962)

  • Cinderella (Craft, K.Y.. SeaStar Books, 2000)

  • The Little Lame Prince (Craik, Dinah Maria Murdock. Troll Communications, 1997)

  • The Red Badge of Courage (Crane, Stephen. Puffin, 1986)

  • Robinson Crusoe (Dafoe, Daniel. Charles Scribner & Sons, 1983)

  • D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths (d’Aulaire, Ingri and Edgar. Dell Yearling, 1962)

  • D’Aulaire’s Norse Gods and Giants (d’Aulaire, Ingri and Edgar. Doubleday, 1967)

  • Shakespeare for Young People series (Davidson, Diane, ed. Swan Books)

  • New Puffin Children’s World Atlas: An Introductory Atlas for Young People (Day, Michael & Tivers, Jacqueline. Puffin Books, 1994)

  • The North Wind and the Sun (de La Fontaine, Jean. Watts, 1964)

  • The Clown of God (de Paola, Tomie. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1978)

  • David Copperfield (Dickens, Charles. Bantam, 1988)

  • Poetry for Young People (Dickinson, Emily. Sterling, 1994)

  • Peter Pan (Dubowski, Cathy East. Random House, 1991)

  • Squanto: First Friend to the Pilgrims (Dubowski, Cathy East. Dell, 1990)

  • The Princess and the Pea (Duntze, Dorothee. North-South Books, 1984)

  • Rapunzel (Ehrlich, Amy. Dial Books, 1989)

  • Three Famous Short Novels (Faulkner, William. Viking, 1958)

  • Favorite Poems Old and New (Ferris, Helen, ed. Doubleday, 1957)

  • Johnny Tremain (Forbes, Esther. Houghton Mifflin, 1971)

  • Diary of a Young Girl (Frank, Anne. Pocket, 1990)

  • Corduroy (Freeman, Don)

  • Lincoln: A Photobiography (Freedman, Russell. Clarion, 1987)

  • You Come Too: Favorite Poems for Young Readers (Frost, Robert. Dover, 1991)

  • Lord of the Flies (Golding, William. Perigee, 1954)

  • The Bremen-Town Musicians (Gross, Ruth Belov. Scholastic, 1974)

  • The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales (Hamiliton, Virginia. Knopf/Borzoi, 1985)

  • Famous Children: Michelangelo (Hart, Tony)

  • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Hastings, Selina. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1981)

  • King Midas and the Golden Touch (Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Knopf, Alfred A., 1994)

  • The Old Man and the Sea (Hemingway, Ernest. Macmillian, 1986)

  • Young Carthaginian: A Story of the Times of Hannibal (Henty, GA)

  • Bread and Jam for Frances (Hoban, Russell)

  • St. George and the Dragon (Hodges, Margaret. Little, Brown, 1984)

  • St. Jerome and the Lion (Hodges, Margaret. Orchard, 1991)

  • Paddle-to-the-Sea (Holling, Holling Clancy. Houghton Mifflin, 1980)

  • Hand in Hand: An American History through Poetry (Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Simon & Schuster, 1994)

  • The Boy Who Held Back the Sea (Hort, Lenny. Dial Books for Young Readers, 1987)

  • Jack and the Beanstalk (Howe, John Little, Brown, 1989)

  • Dogger (Hughes, Shirley. Mulberry, 1993)

  • Perseus (Hutton, Warwick. Macmillian, 1993)

  • Theseus and the Minotaur (Hutton, Warwick. Macmillian/Margaret K. McElderry Books, 1989)

  • Sleeping Beauty (Hyman, Trina Schart. Little, Brown, 1997)

  • Rip Van Winkle, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Tales (Irving, Washington. Smith Pub., 1980)

  • The First Starry Night (Isom, Joan Shaddox)

  • The Adventures of Pinocchio (Kassirer, Sue. Random House, 1992)

  • John Henry: An American Legend (Keats, Ezra Jack. Pantheon, 1965)

  • The Story of My Life (Keller, Helen. Scholastic, 1967)

  • The Jungle Book (Kipling, Rudyard. Grossett and Dunlap)

  • Hymn Board Books (Kloria Publishing)

  • Hymn Picture Books (Kloria Publishing)

  • George Washington: The Man Who Would Not Be King (Krensky, Stephen. Scholastic, 1992)

  • The Boy Who Loved Music (Lasker, David. Viking, 1979)

  • Hansel & Gretel (Lesser, Rika. G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Sandcastle Books, 1984)

  • The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Lewis, C.S. Macmillian, 1950)

  • Floss (Lewis, Kim)

  • Johnny Appleseed (Lindbergh, Reeve. Little, Brown, 1990)

  • The Trojan Horse: How the Greeks Won the War (Little, Emily. Random House, 1988)

  • The Call of the Wild (London, Jack. Puffin, 1988)

  • Paul Revere’s Ride (Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. E.P. Dutton, 1990)

  • The Song of the King (Lucado, Max. Crossway Books, 1995)

  • At the Back of the North Wind (MacDonald, George. Zondervan, 1981)

  • Sarah, Plain and Tall (MacLachlan, Patricia. HarperCollins Children’s Books, 1985)

  • Blueberries for Sal (McCloskey, Robert)

  • Make Way for Ducklings (McCloskey, Robert. Viking, 1941)

  • Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast (McKinley, Robin. Green Tiger, 1989)

  • Martin Luther (McNeer, May and Ward, Lynd. Abingdon, 1953)

  • The Sleeping Beauty (Meyer, Mercer. Macmillian, 1984)

  • Island of the Mighty: Stories of Old Britain (Middleton, Haydn. Oxford, 1987)

  • Now We Are Six (Milne, A.A.. E.P. Dutton)

  • When We Were Very Young (Milne, A.A.. E.P. Dutton)

  • Winnie-the-Pooh (Milne, A.A.. E.P. Dutton)

  • The Ugly Duckling (Moore, Lillian. Scholastic, 1988)

  • The Frog Prince (Ormerod, Jan and Lloyd, David. Scholastic, 1987)

  • Animal Farm (Orwell, George. Signet, 1986)

  • Amelia Bedelia (Parish, Peggie)

  • The Rooster Crows: A Book of American Rhymes and Jingles (Petersham, Maud and Miska. Macmillan/Aladdin Books, 1987)

  • The Random House Books of Poetry for Children (Prelutsky, Jack, ed. Random House, 1983)

  • The Raven and Other Favorite Poems (Poe, Edgar Allan. Dover, 1991)

  • The Story of King Arthur and his Knights (Pyle, Howard. Simon and Schuster, 1984)

  • The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (Pyle, Howard. Dover, 1968)

  • Curious George (Rey, H.A.)

  • Classic Myths to Read Aloud (Russell, William F.. Crown publishers, 1989)

  • Classics to Read Aloud to Your Children (Russell, William F., ed. Crown Publishers)

  • Where the Wild Things Are (Sendak, Maurice. Harper Trophy, 1963)

  • Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse (Sewell, Anna. Grossett and Dunlap, 1945)

  • Frankenstein (Shelley, Mary. Bedrick, 1988)

  • Caps for Sale (Slobodkina, Esphyr)

  • The Witch of Blackbird Pond (Speare, Elizabeth. Dell, 1978)

  • A Child’s Garden of Verses (Stevenson, Robert Louis)

  • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and the Body Snatchers (Stevenson, Robert Louis. Bedrick, 1989)

  • Treasure Island (Stevenson, Robert Louis. Charles Scribner and Sons, 1981)

  • The Griffin and the Minor Canon (Stockton, Frank. HarperCollins, 1986)

  • The Arthurian Trilogy: The Light Beyond the Forest, The Sword and the Circle, The Road to Camlann (Sutcliff, Rosemary. E.P. Dutton, 1980)

  • Black Ships Before Troy (Sutcliff, Rosemary)

  • Dragonslayer: The Story of Beowulf (Sutcliff, Rosemary. Puffin, 1966

  • The Wanderings of Odysseus (Sutcliff, Rosemary)

  • Gulliver’s Travels (Swift, Jonathon. William Morrow, 1983)

  • Magellan: First Around the World (Syme, Ronald. William Morrow, 1953)

  • The Hobbit (Tolkien, J.R.R.. Houghton Mifflin, 1937)

  • The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Tolkein, J.R.R.. Houghton Mifflin, 1967)

  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Twain, Mark. Penguin, 1986)

  • In a Circle Long Ago: A Treasury of Native Lore from North America (Van Laan, Nancy. Knopf, Alfred A., 1995)

  • The Children’s Bible (Various. Hamlyn, 1984)

  • Twenty-Thousand Leagues under the Sea (Verne, Jules. Scribner’s)

  • The Three Little Pigs and Other Favorite Nursery Stories (Voake, Charlotte. Candlewick Press, 1992)

  • The Biggest Bear (Ward, Lynd Kendall)

  • Frederick Douglass: Voice of Freedom (Weiner, Eric. Dell, 1992)

  • The Plymouth Adventure (Weisgard, Leonard. Doubleday, 1967)

  • Stories of Charlemagne (Westwood, Jennifer. S.G. Phillips, 1976)

  • Charlotte’s Web (White, E.B.. HarperCollins, 1952)

  • The Arabian Nights: Their Best-Known Tales (Wiggin, Kate Douglas and Smith, Nora A.. Simon & Schuster, 1937)

  • The Selfish Giant (Wilde, Oscar Picture Book Studio, 1984)

  • Little House Series (Wilder, Laura Ingalls)

  • Exodus (Wildsmith, Brian)

  • Joseph (Wildsmith, Brian)

  • The Velveteen Rabbit (Williams, Margery. Doubleday)

  • The Emperor and the Kite (Yolen, Jane. World, 1967)

  • Rumpelstiltskin (Zelinsky, Paul O.. E.P. Dutton, 1986)

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