Torchlight’s Level 2, Edition 2 curriculum for learners ages 7-11 is titled Logic & Legend. In Level 2, we will become acquainted with the medieval world through nonfiction selections and legends alike. We will explore the Islamic Golden Age, the European “Dark Ages,” and beyond, learning about the riches found in Africa and the thriving pre-colonization cultures in what is now known as the Americas. We will immerse ourselves in the beauty of legends and use them to sharpen our logic skills.

Logic will be a focus in Level 2 using the Two Truths and a Lie series, logic games, and puzzles. Weekly, your learner will practice different logic skills, including research, vetting sources, reasoning, and deduction, all in a fun and challenging format while learning about the sciences,  history, and more.

Level 2 literature will introduce common threads within humanity, such as emotional intelligence, confidence, understanding, loss, grief, homelessness, and perseverance. These concepts will be approached gently and age-appropriately through meaningful conversations using Torchlight’s Literature Primers and Lit Quotes. We will meet different kinds of learners and be introduced to the Deaf community. We will fall in love with the little-known country of Oman and follow Trinket on her journey to becoming a great storytelling bard. Our empathy will grow alongside our confidence with Stella and her supportive family.

Level 2 will continue our Pantomime Poetry, a cross-body-movement learning opportunity, and engage learners in understanding and memorizing poetry with Be Glad Your Nose is On Your Face, a fun and beautifully written and illustrated book from the Children’s Poetry Laureate Jack Prelutsky. Each piece of literature is accompanied by a Literature Primer & Lit Quotes, which will give insight into each book’s value, vocabulary, possible concerns to watch for while reading, and inquiry-based discussion opportunities that will prepare you without tying you to a script, making for more natural and authentic conversations. Our Lit Quotes pull quotes from the reading each week and use them to engage and educate learners on writer’s craft and literary devices.

Logic & Legends will also include a Vocabulary Journal (My Vocabulary Spell Book) or the Torchlight Word Wander with fillable word cards to help engage your learner in acquiring, writing, using, and remembering new words. To further their writing skills without the struggle, you will participate in a year-long project (Becoming a Bard) to help your learner become a better storyteller. Writer’s Toolbox will introduce multiple new writing formats and offer fun practice, some pairing with our literature selections. Your learner will also partake in another original, fully illustrated Torchlight Hypatia adventure with mystery, puzzles, historical learning opportunities, and fun characters.

Science will be an integrated approach using SCI Level 2 (once published). In the meantime, we offer multiple curriculum options that pair beautifully with Torchlight. As always, science is filled with amazing resources that integrate literature and history. We will introduce the evolution and DNA of dogs, explain the plague and its impact on the medieval world, go spelunking into caverns of rocks and minerals, and finally, explore the slimy and sweet world of frogs!

We will continue to use A Child Through Time to view the medieval world through a child’s eyes, helping learners relate to and make medieval studies accessible. The incredible maps in When on Earth? help to clarify complex history, coupled with Torchlight’s Globework component.

Storytelling through music and drawing in the comic format will be the feature of our art and music studies. We will listen to musical instruments and the masterfully composed pieces they bring to life in an entertaining story format.  Torchlight’s new composition and music curriculum, Compose Yourself, will be coming soon. It can be paired with Level 2 to create a well-rounded arts education. If you want updates on Torchlight’s Compose Yourself, sign up for our newsletter!