The WCHP Philosophy

Guide Contents

Grade Level Descriptions

Read reviews of WCHP ​Curriculum Guides.​            Check them out: Curriculum guide samples!​

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About the Whole Child, Healthy Planet Curriculum Guides

Holistic, Personalized, Engaging, Enlivening, Comprehensive

We stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. 

​Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations. - The Earth Charter

Our K-8 curriculum guides are very unique in the world of educational materials.

We provide the scaffolding & support you need to create a personalized, engaging, enlivening educational experience for your child. The approach outlined in the WCHP curriculum guides combines a student-centered approach (creative, flexible, holistic, learning styles-based, and experiential) with an emphasis on peace, justice, diversity, and sustainability. Today's GVS students are tomorrow's global citizens.
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​At the heart of the curriculum guides are the core commitments of the Earth Charter: 
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• Respect and Care for the Community of Life, 
• Ecological Integrity, 
• Social & Economic Justice,
• Democracy, Nonviolence, & Peace. 

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​The K-8 curriculum guides cover all of the core academic subjects in a way that engages students through a sense of enchantment, awe, and wonder as well as through incorporation of art, music, nature, imagination, storytelling and other play. The guides are designed to help you chart a course that meets your child where she is, incorporating as much or as little structure as your family needs.

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Living books:

While conventional curriculum is shaped by a few textbooks or workbooks, the Global Village way is built around the inspiration found in literature; the rich human history of storytelling. Conventional materials & methods have their uses, but more often than not, we choose books that foster similar learning in a more creative and fulfilling way. ​

​These are “living books” as early home educator Charlotte Mason describes them. Some of the hallmarks of living books are:
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• Literature created by a person with an obvious special interest in his/her subject. 
• A personal, human, emotional quality to what is presented.
• Books that are inspiring and attractive to the student’s spirit as well as intellect. 
• Books that promote a sense of wonder and appreciation of the world and its inhabitants.

​K-8 Curriculum Guide Contents

Our guides are highly flexible, allowing families to follow student interests in age-appropriate ways. You can build in as much or as little structure as your learning styles require, and if you are enrolling, our GVS teachers will guide you in creating an individualized curriculum to meet your child’s needs. Each curriculum guide includes:

• Resource Lists: Curated, detailed lists of books, websites, games & other resources organized by subject area, along with information about where to get them.
• Guidelines & Instructions: Sample lesson plans, immersion projects, and many project and activity ideas based on the primary suggested materials.​
  • Grades K-3 have a detailed sample lesson/unit plan and two sample mini unit plans along with several articles about how to work with the resources. In the early years the emphasis is on maximum flexibility; our framework empowers parents to emphasize basic skills in a very individualized way while ensuring that learning is experiential and fun.
  • More structure and activity suggestions are added as children transition into Grade 4. 
  • Grades 5-8 include even more guidance, with multiple pages of activity suggestions to help you present the core resources across subject areas. 
• ​Scheduling: Suggested schedules appropriate to age and grade level.
  • Since there are so many different ways the resources for younger grades can be utilized, Grades K-3 have more free-form scheduling recommendations.
  • Grades 4-8 have recommendations on how to schedule the various materials and activities into 9 different month-long units. 
• Support: General information on the Global Village School Whole Child Healthy Planet method, including articles and coaching tips for parents. Written by seasoned educators, these sections will teach you about homeschooling, guide you through assessment methods, and help you make the most of the program materials. Special attention is given to support and reassurance for families who are new to homeschooling.
• Bonus Content: Many useful and fun extras including two supplemental reading lists, music suggestions, and a copy of the Earth Charter. These can be used as alternatives to the primary suggested resources or to broaden and deepen learning in topics of interest.

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What’s not included in the curriculum guides:
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• Day by day instructions: We do not tell you exactly what to do every step of the way, nor do we provide numerous questions to go with each and every book or resource. We do not believe that such detail is necessary, nor is it appropriate to expect that all students should engage with the material in the same way. We have found that most families - even those brand new to homeschooling - do just fine with a less restrictive format, especially when paired with the kind of coaching we provide (and most kids do not miss the endless study questions!). Keep in mind that each grade level contains lists of core resources plus many extra resource suggestions - most likely much more than you will be able to get through in a year.
• A box of books: Families select and acquire materials on their own. The guides include ISBN's and URL's to make the process easier.  Along with the recommended core resources, we list other options for enrichment. We prefer to give your family the opportunity to save money, maximize flexibility, and personalize learning in choosing the appropriate resources for your children. Many materials can be purchased used, some will be available at local libraries. Rather than having to pay for what you might not use, you are free to work within your budget to choose what you want.

Homeschooling affords you the opportunity to keep the learning process alive by tailoring it to individual and family needs and interests. We encourage you to make the most of it, and our teachers are ready to help if you choose to enroll!

​K8 Curriculum Reviews

Global Village is truly a school with heart. After looking over the curriculum I realized how gentle the learning style is, and how easy it would be to learn almost anything if the material is presented in a way that touches the core self. I don't think I remember anything from my schooling experience that didn't touch me in some way. But most of my learning was rote and was forgotten almost immediately after test taking time.

I also think that the love of learning is learned. Certainly Global Village teaches that love of learning. It is not fear based, but based in a true curiosity about the world. How can a child truly learn when his or her focus is the fear around test taking and memorization? If the strongest emotion around schooling is fear, then that fear gets connected to the learning process.

​Global Village School promotes the love of learning, not the fear of failing to learn.
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​Wow! What a concept! Isn't this what we want for our children? I can't wait until my own grandchildren are old enough to participate in this program.                             
​                   Nancy Hart, M.A., MFCC

We received our Whole Child, Healthy Planet curriculum guide last week. We are so excited that we found Global Village School. 

I feel as though the curriculum was written for our family. I truly never thought I'd find a curriculum... that "fit" us, but now we have! 
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Thank you for helping us navigate an even more meaningful path of homeschooling with our kids.

The resource list...allows me to spend a little less time hunting for the right materials and more time enjoying learning with my kids! What a gift.  
​           Beth Campbell-Rafdal ​

We enjoyed last year's guide, but this year's had even more amazing book recommendations - wow! We ordered so many of them and can't stop going through them. It's like getting many gifts on a holiday or birthday and you don't know what to open first!
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​We are excited about another fantastic year. Thanks, GVS!                                                   Deborah Theisen

As a new homeschooling parent with definite leanings toward “nontraditional” education, I have many questions and have reviewed numerous methods, curricula, guides, etc. My favorite one, hands down, is the Global Village School Whole Child Healthy Planet Curriculum Guide. It was developed in accordance with the four core principles of the Earth Charter: Respect and Care for the Community of Life; Ecological Integrity; Social and Economic Justice; and Democracy, Nonviolence, Peace and Diversity

​...Many of the books and movies can be borrowed from the library or bought used. This certainly helps the budget conscious family, and who isn’t budget conscious these days?                                                 Christine Tamayo

Descriptions, scope & sequence by grade level

The Global Village curriculum guides contain a multitude of resources, general instructions on how to use them for a full year’s curriculum, and articles guiding parents through the Whole Child, Healthy Planet homeschooling process. Each grade level contains core resources plus many extras - most likely much more than you will be able to get through in a year. Here’s a brief overview of the highlights of each grade level, and please check out our samples for more detailed information.

Kindergarten 

• Educating the whole child - Getting along with others, self-confidence, etc. Emphasis on readiness education and learning through play. 
• Language/Reading - Alphabet, basic reading skills (familiarization with the alphabet and sounds [Montessori]), storytelling, word play, songs, making books. 
• Introductory mathematics - learning to count through real experiences. 
• Science - Exploring the natural world – tide pools, animals, weather, etc. 
• Arts and crafts - learning colors and shapes through art and workbooks. 
• Celebrating diversity - Learning about children around the world. 
• Practical life exercises - caring for things, cleaning up, and...
• Making sure there’s time for daydreaming!           ​

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   Guide is 90+pages (families select and purchase materials separately) ​                                                                                                      View: K grade curriculum guide sample

Original Price: $105.00                                                                                                                                                                                                 Current Price: $95.95

Not sure? Consider these guidelines or talk to us about your needs.                                                                  Buy now to experience the world as your classroom

1st Grade

• Language Arts - Early reading skills, poetry, stories. 
• Math - Basic math skills taught in creative and engaging ways, math games, counting poems. 
• Science - A story and activity-based introduction to biomes, ecosystems, botany (flowers, planting seeds), animals, and more. 
• Social Studies/Diversity - Introductory geography, uniqueness of people and cultures, friendship, children around the world. 
• Peace Studies -The word “peace” around the world. 
• Arts - Child as artist, pencils, watercolors, introduction to great works of art. 

   
   Guide is 85+ pages (families select and purchase materials separately)​                                                                                                   View: 1st grade curriculum guide sample

Original Price: $120.00                                                                                                                                                                                       Current Price: $105.95
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Not sure? Consider these guidelines or talk to us about your needs.                                                                  Buy now to experience the world as your classroom

2nd Grade

• Whole child - Compassion, meditation for children, exploring faiths of children around the world. 
• Social Studies/Diversity - Children around the world, moving more in-depth into specific countries, such as France and Palestine; African-American culture; introductory Spanish vocabulary. 
• History - Ancient history, the Ice Age. 
• Science - The Amazon, dolphins, wildlife in places such as India and Australia, ecosystems, nature art. 
• Language Arts - Grammar, homonyms, poetry, spelling, writing, stories. 
• Math - Several different resources present 2nd grade math skills. 
• Arts - painting, pastels, sketching; study of artists such as da Vinci, Picasso, Matisse, and Van Gogh. ​

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   Guide is 95+ pages (families select and purchase materials separately)​                                                                                                  View: 2nd grade curriculum guide sample

Original Price: $120.00                                                                                                                                                                                        Current Price: $105.95
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​Not sure? Consider these guidelines or talk to us about your needs.                                                                  Buy now to experience the world as your classroom

3rd Grade

• Whole child - Similarities and differences, courage, moods. 
• Science/Eco-Integrity - Animal behavior, nature poetry, animal stories, how to make a difference, a multitude of general science information for families to choose from. 
• Language Arts - Reading, spelling, grammar, cursive writing. 
• Social Studies/Diversity/History - True-life stories about people (often children) in places such as Tibet, Palestine, Africa, India, Mexico, Iraq; maps and geography; early US history, US history through art projects; African-Americans. 
• Math - Basic math skills including multiplication, fun math games. 
• Arts - Learning about different artists; art projects. ​

   
   Guide is 85+ pages (families select and purchase materials separately)​                                                                                                 View: 3rd grade curriculum guide sample​​

Original Price: $120.00                                                                                                                                                                                             Current Price: $105.95
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Not sure? Consider these guidelines or talk to us about your needs.                                                                  Buy now to experience the world as your classroom

4th Grade
Some of us remember 4th grade as being the year that the fun went out of school. It does not have to be that way! Our aim is for 4th grade students to expand their skills and knowledge without losing the gentleness, fun and creativity of the earlier years. 

• Social Studies Smorgasbord - Introduction to world history through study of The Renaissance, including an emphasis on the life, art, and inventions of Leonardo da Vinci; 
• Geography - learning about cultures and countries around the world. Cultural crafts and activities; Students also study US geography and their home state. 
• Language Arts/Literature - Engaging stories and fairy tales, including several on heroes of all kinds. Writing skills, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. 
• Science - Introduction to the solar system, fun physics experiments, nature study, learning about (and creating some of) Leonardo da Vinci’s numerous inventions. 
• Arts- Calligraphy, illuminated manuscripts, and more. 
• Math - Comprehensive full year’s math curriculum, with an emphasis on mastery and problem solving; includes manipulatives. Online assessments make it easy for parents to choose the most appropriate level for their child.
• Also includes music, nature activities, and character development. 

   Guide is 120+ pages (families select and purchase materials separately)                                                                                                View: 4th grade curriculum guide sample

Original Price: $145.00                                                                                                                                       Current Price: $125.95
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​Not sure? Consider these guidelines or talk to us about your needs.                                                        Buy now to experience the world as your classroom

5th grade

• Social Studies - Emphasis on US history, with a focus on kids’ experiences during different periods such as the Civil Rights Movement, slavery, labor strikes, Native American contributions, and inspirational figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Rosa Parks. Also includes cultural geography, in which students learn about the lives of children around the world. 
• Language Arts/Literature - Historical novels, beautifully illustrated books, poetry; writing skills, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. 
• Science/Eco-Integrity - Emphasis on environmental science (biomes, wildlife, environmental issues, climate change, ways kids can make a difference), also fun experiments such as creating invisible ink and making a fog chamber. 
• Math - Comprehensive full year’s math curriculum, with an emphasis on mastery and problem solving; includes manipulatives. Online assessments make it easy for parents to choose the most appropriate level for their child.
• Also includes films, music, art, health, nature activities, service learning and character development. 

   
​   Guide is 130+ pages (families select and purchase materials separately)                                                                                                View: 5th grade curriculum guide sample

Original Price: $160.00                                                                                                                                                                                           Current Price: $135.95
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​Not sure? Consider these guidelines or talk to us about your needs.                                                                  Buy now to experience the world as your classroom

6th grade 

• Social Studies - Our Social Studies curriculum emphasizes geography and ancient history. Students learn about the lives and art of people around the world (cultural geography through art), countries, continents, landforms, maps, etc. Study the ancient world from a kid’s perspective, what it was like to live in places like ancient Greece and Egypt. Approach is fun, engaging, entertaining. 
• Language Arts/Literature - Historical novels, poetry; writing skills, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. 
• Science - Emphasis on Earth Science; astronomy, the history of the Earth from the Big Bang up through present time, presented in a colorful and engaging way. Also environmental science, including fun experiments and nature study. 
• Math - Comprehensive full year’s math curriculum, with an emphasis on mastery and problem solving; includes manipulatives. Online assessments make it easy for parents to choose the most appropriate level for their child.
• Also includes websites, online films, music, art/nature activities, current events, personal growth, service learning and character development. ​ 

   Guide is 150+ pages (families select and purchase materials separately)                                                                                                View: 6th grade curriculum guide sample

Original Price: $160.00                                                                                                                                 Current Price: $135.95
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​Not sure? Consider these guidelines or talk to us about your needs.                                                              Buy now to experience the world as your classroom

7th grade 

• Social Studies - Emphasis on world history, covering the full spectrum of history from ancient to modern times, presented in a colorful, humorous, and engaging way. Students learn about life in a medieval village, Arab inventions and science, current events from a child’s perspective, with a particular focus on the Middle East, including Palestinian/Israeli issues, and much more. Also includes cultural geography, in which students learn about the lives of children around the world. 
• Language Arts/Literature - includes cultural and historical novels, poetry, writing skills, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. 
• Science - Emphasis on Life Science; learning about the human body, biodiversity, plants, animals, classification, science in the garden, nature observations, and fun experiments. 
• Math - Comprehensive full year’s math curriculum, with an emphasis on mastery and problem solving. Online assessments make it easy for parents to choose the most appropriate level for their child.
• Also includes films, websites, music, art/nature activities, service learning/engaged citizenship, character development, psychology, personal growth, and inspiring stories of children making a difference in the world. 

   
​   Guide is 145+ pages (families select and purchase materials separately)                                                                                                View: 7th grade curriculum guide sample

Original Price: $170.00                                                                                                                                                                                         Current Price: $145.95

​Not sure? Consider these guidelines or talk to us about your needs.                                                                  Buy now to experience the world as your classroom

8th grade

• Social Studies - US history, told from the people’s perspective. Students learn about the lives of slaves, immigrants, workers, women, Native Americans and more, from sources including actual accounts by he people who were there, historical novels and books that explore social issues and current events from children’s perspectives.
• Human Rights - Explored through writings by children, for children, on children’s rights. Also includes inspiring stories of children making a difference in the world.
• Language Arts/Literature - Includes cultural and historical novels, poetry, writing skills, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling.
• Science - Emphasis on Physical Science; with fun and exciting experiments and readings that make science come alive. Includes topics such as physics, engineering, chemistry, practical applications of science (including some significant mistakes!). Experiments include making a hot air balloon, building a bridge, skateboard science, etc.
• Arts - Nature study using an art journal.
• Math - Comprehensive full year’s math curriculum, with an emphasis on mastery and problem solving. Online assessments make it easy for parents to choose the most appropriate level for their child. Also includes films, websites, music, art/nature activities, life skills, study skills, service learning/engaged citizenship with an emphasis on eco-integrity, and character development. 

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​   Guide is 150+ pages (families select and purchase materials separately)                                                                                               View: 8th grade curriculum guide sample

Original Price: $170.00                                                                                                                                                                                             Current Price: $145.95
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​Not sure? Consider these guidelines or talk to us about your needs.                                                                  Buy now to experience the world as your classroom

Can't decide if these curriculum guides are right for your family?
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The Whole Child Healthy Planet K-8 curriculum guides ARE FOR YOU if:

• You share Global Village School’s values of humane education, peace, justice, diversity, sustainability, flexibility.
• You want an education for your children that balances structure and freedom in a way that allows you to respond to the ebb and flow of your children's interests and needs.
• You want to benefit from over 10 years of time and energy GVS educators have put into researching age-appropriate, progressive, and enlivening curriculum materials, arranged into a comprehensive K-8 program outline.
• You are either comfortable with, or willing to devote the time to become comfortable with following your children’s interests, and using the GVS recommended materials and activities as a springboard to create your own additional learning activities as things unfold.
• You are just embarking on your homeschooling journey - maybe a little nervous, but excited - and you want information and reassurance about the philosophy behind child-centered learning as well as how to address common objections to it.
• You are a seasoned homeschooling parent who is looking for fresh holistic activity ideas, curated resources that match your globally-conscious values, and articles to deepen your own progressive educational skills and understanding.
• You know that “one size does not fit all,” and that it is not possible to create a rigidly structured curriculum that is a good fit for each and every child.

​The Whole Child Healthy Planet K-8 curriculum guides are probably NOT FOR YOU if:

• You want or need to be told in exact detail what to do day by day or week by week (because of lack of confidence, time restraints, disapproval from friends and family, etc.)
• You (or perhaps your partner) are not comfortable with the idea that there is no one “right” way to teach, and want/need the perceived “legitimacy” of a more standardized approach.
• You or your partner have spent your career in a more traditional approach to education. Some people find that, even though they know their children need a more alternative approach, they struggle with their own perceptions of what education SHOULD be.
• Your budget for whole the year, including the GVS guide and the materials you'll gather for the year, is less than $300.
• You want to receive a “school-in-a-box” curriculum, with everything you need for the entire year in one delivery.

​The Whole Child Healthy Planet K-8 curriculum guides MIGHT BE FOR YOU be for you if: 

• You understand or have experienced the negative aspects of conventional education; you know there are better ways to educate, you have ideas about what progressive and holistic education could look like, but you need guidance and support from experienced holistic educators.
• You feel that most of the first section (The Whole Child Healthy Planet K-8 curriculum guides "ARE FOR YOU if,") applies to you, but you feel anxious about making this leap all on your own. Talk to us about enrolling to receive support from a GVS teacher.
• Your budget for the year, including the GVS guide and the materials you choose to purchase, is less than $300, AND you have a good library system and are willing to buy used when necessary.

​Ordering Your K-8 Curriculum Guides

We are experiencing an unusually high volume of curriculum guide orders. Please note it may take UP TO TEN (10) DAYS from the time of purchase to the day your guide ships. If you have not received your guide within 14 days of placing the order, please let us know. 

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If your shipping address is OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. please do not purchase ​from our website.
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Don't leave your international order in limbo! Please  Email or call 805-646-9792 and we'll be happy to assist you.​

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​If you are purchasing more than one of the same grade level, you can adjust quantity once you've added the first guide to your cart. If you are ordering multiple grade levels, simply click "continue shopping," in the upper right-hand corner of your cart to be returned to this page to add additional guides.  To make sure you have all the guides you want before paying, you can click "more" under each item in your cart to see the grade level. 

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​If you prefer to order over the phone please call us with a list of the curriculum you wish to purchase. Payment can be made by credit card, money order, cashier's check or personal check. Shipping costs and sales tax for CA residents will be added to your order.

"There started to be 'wow' moments where N would start talking about a topic he had read about or worked on, and I had worried that nothing was really sinking in, but he would say something that demonstrated that not only had he learned it, but had integrated it with other 'subjects', things from the news, his own reading, etc. I was also so happy to see him exposed to the readings in the curriculum, we are an expat family so he has a certain amount of worldliness, but it is so important to have him aware off...kids in other parts of the world.

Also, there were many times when I would sit back and think, I am so glad that we are with N as he is presented with these concepts, and be able to talk to him and hear what he has to say, and work through difficult ideas with him...We keep circling back to ideas and integrating new information, and I'm learning so much with him (and from him) too."

 Laurel P., K-8 parent

Learn more about Global Village School's accredited distance learning program

If you have not already done so, please review the information specific to the grade levels you are interested in. ​​
We hope you enjoy exploring the wealth of information we've shared about the Global Village School homeschooling program.

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