Torchlight Shared Fictions Series Level 1-5
Torchlight Constellation Literature Studies Level 1–5 is our study-based curriculum for learners 6–13.
While Torchlight offers full-year curricula, we know this does not work for all families. This is where our Constellation Literature Studies come in. Torchlight now offers two new products: Constellation Literature Studies for Levels 1–5 and our Shared Fictions Short Story & Creative Writing Studies. Families can now choose individual studies for their year of literature and writing, or use these studies to replace a book in our full-year curriculum.
We wanted to create options that allow families to curate a collection of literature and topical studies in the way that felt best for this moment in their journey. Our Constellation Series allows you to simply choose the studies you want to include in your learning year. Each study is scheduled for a specified number of weeks; however, you can adjust the schedule as you see fit by using our checklist-style plan. If you’re looking for individual studies curated to align with a full year of history, we will also offer recommended year-long bundles that align with historic time periods once we have more studies available. Our most pressing product development will start at the lowest levels and move upward, beginning with early human history.
Torchlight’s Shared Fictions are a line within our Constellations Literature Studies that cover short stories and creative writing. Shared Fictions span two volumes each year. In these studies, we will learn about a story type, from origin stories to fairy tales, even tall tales. Through lessons, approachable analysis, activities, and writing opportunities, learners will explore the foundations of writing beyond grammar and sentence structure. Each study includes 10 lessons, many original-art-illustrated retellings as mentor texts, and lots of creative, fun activities that let them apply the skills and lessons they are learning along the way. Each volume is 10 daily lessons of language arts goodness that will set the stage for writing opportunities in Constellation Literature Studies 1–5. However, if you prefer to use the Shared Fictions studies as standalones, they work great on their own and can be spread out to adjust the pacing!
Each study includes a Learning Partner Guide and a Novel or Short Story Collection Study. Our Literature Studies include:
- An optional weekly schedule & a checklist-style schedule
- Literature Primer & discussion
- Structured & paced writing assignments
- Vocabulary with definitions and contextual usage
- Activities & projects
- Poetry (when applicable)
- Literature quotes for dictation or study
- Weekly extensions (can include books, videos, and older learner recommendations)
Our recommended bundles will eventually include approximately 6 Constellation Literature Studies 1–5 and two Shared Fictions studies (volumes 1 & 2). Download the sample of each to get an idea of what to expect.
*Bundle pricing will be available once multiple studies have been published.
Shared Fictions:
Origins Vol. 1
Price: $15.00
Downloadable PDF, non-refundable
Shared Fictions: Origins, vol. 1 encompasses two types of origin stories, Why Tales and Earth Origins, how they are constructed, and their cultural significance. The analysis and writing practice learners will complete in this study, and throughout the year, using the tools presented, will set them on the path to understanding how to make a story flow logically. Breaking down stories through mentor text analysis, narrative arc mapping, and cultural significance reduces overwhelm and makes building their creative writing skills not only approachable, but joyful and meaningful.
For those using Historian’s Toolkit, Shared Fictions: Origins, Vol. 1 marries to Year 1 beautifully. Learners will be introduced to evidence-based history and cultural anthropology study in the same year if they are used in tandem. Torchlight’s Shared Fictions and Constellations Literature Studies 1–5 also contain an optional schedule to align these curricula with Historian’s Toolkit. Torchlight will also soon publish complementary learning tools for Historian’s Toolkit that will be scheduled within our studies, such as a timeline and a Species & Innovation Interactive Map set.
Some skills covered in Shared Fictions: Origins, Vol. 1:
Vocabulary with definitions and contextual usage
Identifying origin story elements
Narrative arc story structure introduction with planning and writing (2 assignments)
Focused literary analysis
Literary devices: Metaphor, anthropomorphism
Cultural anthropology concepts: Importance of story in human groups, Implicit bias (influence of surroundings on storytelling), using story analysis to identify elements of culture, the value of cultural fictions, and more.
Science concepts: Observation as early science
Pages: 52
Print: Recommend printing double-sided
As always, within our curriculum, we will continue to offer recommendations for curricula in the subjects Torchlight does not cover.