Build Your Library

Name: Build Your Library
Brand: Build Your Libraryhttps://buildyourlibrary.com/

by Build Your Libraryhttps://buildyourlibrary.com/

Multi_subjectGrades K–8

Build Your Library: Secular Charlotte Mason Literature-Based Multi-Subject Program

Build Your Library is a secular, literature-based curriculum covering history, literature, science, and art through a historical timeline approach for grades K-8. It follows Charlotte Mason principles using real books, narration, copywork, and nature study while requiring separate instruction for math, spelling, grammar, and phonics.

Best for

Homeschooling families seeking a secular, literature-rich approach who can supplement composition instruction and provide separate math/language arts programs

Evaluation Criteria

2 strengths · 4 neutral

Teacher TrainingStrength

Provides comprehensive teacher guides with detailed lesson plans and resource guidance, though no mention of additional professional development support.

Teacher guides average 250 pages with daily lesson plans, vocabulary words, and activity explanations, plus clear identification of required vs. optional resources

Cross Curricular IntegrationStrength

The curriculum achieves strong integration by organizing all subjects around historical periods, with literature, science, and art coordinated to reinforce historical learning.

Each grade level follows a coherent historical timeline (Ancient World in 1st grade, Middle Ages in 2nd grade, etc.) with literature selections and science topics that support the historical focus

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum provides structured daily lesson plans with clear guidance but relies heavily on students learning through reading and narration rather than explicit teacher instruction.

Offers detailed daily lesson plans with specific page assignments, vocabulary words, and activities, but follows Charlotte Mason approach emphasizing student reading and narration over direct teaching

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The program incorporates some retrieval through narration activities and creative narration options, but lacks systematic review and practice structures.

Uses varied narration activities including puppet shows, drawing scenes, and creating quizzes, plus timeline and notebook creation, but no mention of systematic cumulative review

Knowledge CoherenceNeutral

The program builds coherent knowledge through its chronological approach and use of quality spine books, though the heavy emphasis on revisionist perspectives may create imbalanced knowledge building.

Uses established spine books like Joy Hakim's A History of US series and maintains chronological progression, but relies heavily on revisionist texts like 'An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People'

Individual Subject RigorNeutral

Subject rigor is mixed, with strong literature and history components but acknowledged weakness in composition instruction and requiring separate math and language arts programs.

Uses quality science resources like Real Science Odyssey and Elemental Science, but the review notes 'coverage of composition skills seems a weak area' and math, spelling, grammar, and phonics must be taught separately

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com