Through the assessment process your advisor will help you...

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Choose a Historical Cycle

Cycle selection based on your child's composition and reading skills, and aligning your family's studies.

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Choose a Science

Science selection based on aligning your family's studies.

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Choose a Math Program

Program selection based on math skills mastered and learning style.

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Select English Mechanics

Personalize the study of skills that complement composition instruction: reading skill, grammar, spelling, and penmanship.

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Select a Language

We prefer students study Latin, but gladly accept German, Italian, French, or Spanish.

Kindergarten - Cycle A: Getting Started

Typical course of study for Pre-First/Kindergarten.

Appropriate for Grades K - 2.

The following lists our core recommendations for students in Pre-First/Kindergarten (children that are five years old during the school year). You will not be buying every book or only the books listed. Students have a wide variety of abilities and aptitudes; schooling — especially homeschooling — needs to be adapted to different children in different ways. Your advisor will work with you to (a) match each child’s strengths and weaknesses to specific materials; (b) combine your students in texts and subjects as often as possible; (c) choose a religion, history and science focus for the family for the year; and (d) weave materials you may already have or would prefer to use into your family’s course plan.

 

LANGUAGE ARTS

Grammar [Semester 1]

  • Big Thoughts for Little People: ABC's to Help You Grow [ORDER USED], Kenneth Taylor
 

Daily Personal Writing [Semester 1 and 2]

One or more sentences per day for the Pre-1st student.
  • No text required.,
 

Penmanship [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Handwriting Without Tears 1: My Printing Book (Yellow), Jan Olsen
  • Handwriting Without Tears: 1st Grade Printing Teacher Guide, Jan Z. Olsen, OTR and Emily F. Knapton, OTR/L
  • Handwriting Without Tears: Slate Chalkboard, Jan Olsen
 

Reading Skill [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, Siegfried Engelmann, Phyllis Haddox and Ealine Bruner
  • The Three R’s series, Dr. Ruth Beechick
 

Classical Language Arts K [Semester 2]

  • Primary Language Lessons, Emma Serl
 

MATHEMATICS

Thumbnail example of the packet of recommendations prepared for each student by the planning advisor.

Beginning Mathematics [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Math U See Primer: Universal set, Math U See
  • Optional: Math U See Primer Student Text,
 

RELIGION

Religion A [Semester 1 and 2]

Casually.
  • Beginner's Bible, Karyn Henley
  • New St. Joseph First Communion Catechism, Narrated by Rev. Bennet Kelley, CP
 

Catechetical Primers [Semester 1 and 2]

Casually.
  • The Beatitudes for Children, Rosemarie Gortler & Donna Piscitelli; Mimi Sternhagen, illustrator
  • Little Acts of Grace, Rosemarie Gortler & Donna Piscitelli; Mimi Sternhagen/Illustrator
  • Just Like Mary, Rosemarie Gortler, Donna Piscitelli; Mimi Sternhagen/Illustrator
  • The Mass Book for Children, Rosemarie Gortler & Donna Piscitelli; Mimi Sternhagen/Illustrator
  • Living the 10 Commandments for Children, Rosemarie Gortler & Donna Piscitelli; Mimi Sternhagen/Illustrator
  • Seeds of Faith for Children, Rosemarie Gortler & Donna Piscitelli; Mimi Sternhagen/illustrator
 

SOCIAL STUDIES / WORLD HISTORY

Cultural Literacy [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Five in a Row, Volume 1 (2nd Edition), Jane Claire Lambert
 

LITERATURE

Literature (K-3) [Semester 1 and 2]

  • A Landscape With Dragons: The Battle for Your Child’s Mind, Michael O’Brien
  • Paideia Program, Mortimer J. Adler
  • Five in a Row, Volume 1 (OUT-OF-PRINT; SEE NEW EDITION), Jane Claire Lambert
 

FINE ARTS

Music Practice [Quarter 2]

  • Wee Sing Bible Songs: CD and Book Edition, Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nipp
 

Art Practice [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals, Ed Emberley
 

Classical Picture Studies [Semester 2]

  • Primary Language Lessons, Emma Serl
 

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Health and Science K [Semester 1 and 2]

  • Five in a Row, Volume 1 (2nd Edition), Jane Claire Lambert
 

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Latin Chant [Quarter 3]

  • Minimum Repertoire of Plain Chant, Julia Fogassy
 

Learn more...

What questions can we answer for you?

We would love to hear from you!  Please reach out with your questions by phone or email, schedule a courtesy telephone consultation with an advisor, or submit an enrollment application if you are ready to start planning for the upcoming school year.

 

Free Telephone Consultation Send an Email Call us at 209-863-8400 Enroll Today

We have all enjoyed the way STAA ties the courses together for the whole family.

Alyse M.

California

Thanks for all you do on your end to help make our homeschooling academically, intellectually, spiritually, and morally enriching!!

Denise

Michigan

My advisor helps me to understand what needs to be done and how to make it really fun for the kids. What I really like are the tips she gives me for dealing with the little ones while trying to school the older ones.

Amber

Texas

This is our first year homeschooling. STAA and [our advisor] have made this a very easy transition. We have had a great year!

Gwen H.

Kansas

I really don't know what I would do without your kindness, and very helpful advice. You are a blessing to our family.

Pat

Idaho

The assessment testing was quick and easy to do, so I didn't expect much valuable feedback. Boy was I wrong!!! It was like my advisor had met my kids and spent hours/days with them.

Mary Ellen

Maryland

We have been so very happy with our first year with STAA! Thank you for walking me through it and for all the fantastic resources and materials we are using. There is not one we don't like!

Elizabeth

California

Our family so enjoyed our wonderful relationship with STAA as our [son] worked his way through high school. It was a wonderful and outstanding experience for him and we continue to suggest your program to all those who are looking for an excellent homeschool experience.

Debra S.

Colorado

Since I am writing, I will also sing more praises of the Greek Studies plan. [My daughter] moaned over the timed-essay and then did very well. So easy to implement with the choose one reflection topic from each subject and then get ready, get set, go! Apparently the school also gave suggestions for the process essay in "Format Writing." Thank you! For a mom of many this is real time saver.

Alisa from Indiana

mother of 9th grade daughter and several STAA graduates

The academy works as a team to accomplish for your family specific ideas or needs for education, but more importantly, what each individual in your family needs, even Mom.

Anne

Illinois

God bless you for the job you are doing -- the peace you have helped us find as a family is priceless!

Cerita

Texas

We can’t imagine going without these wonderful, enhanced lesson plans! Thank you!

On the STAA Study Guides

Anonymous

I especially appreciate the advice and wise counsel I receive from the St. Thomas Aquinas Academy staff during our phone appointments and their understanding of my children's needs.

Stephen T.

Illinois

It is a thrill to receive the delightfully arranged weekly guidelines from STAA that keep us on track but allow for flexibility.

Dee Dee C.

Florida

I can honestly say that our children have blossomed into well rounded individuals because of your program.

Diane B.

California