Geography isn’t just about maps and facts — it’s about people, stories, and the beautiful diversity of God’s creation. In our newest resource, Precious People Year 1, your family will journey continent-by-continent, meeting new cultures through living books, hands-on projects, recipes, art studies, and nature activities.
Designed for early elementary learners, this Charlotte Mason–inspired, literature-based geography curriculum can be done family-style, creating rich shared memories and a deeper connection to the world.
Whether you’re gathering around the table for an art study, baking bread from another country, or taking a nature walk inspired by the week’s lesson, you’ll find this gentle rhythm fosters curiosity, virtue, and joy in learning.
How Precious People Year 1 Works
Each month focuses on a different continent, using a living book as the spine for your lessons. The curriculum is designed for four days of lessons each week, leaving one day for field trips or catch-up. Every week includes:
📚 Literature-based lesson plans
🎨 Weekly art study
🛠 Hands-on project
🌿 Nature walk activity
🍽 International recipe
You can start today with our North America unit for just $12, or follow along month-by-month as new continents are released. This fall, you’ll be able to purchase the complete year for $49 (with a discount for families who’ve already bought individual units).
Explore the book list here!
Precious People Year 1 Scope & Sequence
Here’s a week-by-week look at what you’ll explore:
Unit 1: North America (The Boxcar Children)
Week 1 – World geography basics, map skills, bread around the world, artist study: Mary Cassatt, poetry by Sara Coleridge.
Week 2 – Continents, community careers, recycling, creating your family vision, Cassatt & Coleridge.
Week 3 – Countries of North America, North American wildlife, community helpers.
Week 4 – Laws & government, country report, food & farming in North America.
Unit 2: South America (The Boy Who Biked the World: Part 2)
Week 5 – Introduction to South America, libraries, campfires, artist study: Arturo Michelena, song: Las Mañanitas, orchestra study.
Week 6 – South American rivers & mountains, vibrant markets, animals of the Andes.
Week 7 – Horses & cattle, volcanoes, Spanish proverbs.
Week 8 – Country report, the rainforest, amphibians, and a festive fiesta.
Unit 3: Europe (Heidi by Johanna Spyri)
Week 9 – European homes, traditional games, cultural bread-making.
Week 10 – European languages, beloved pets, making ricotta cheese.
Week 11 – European artists, gardens, famous landmarks.
Week 12 – Country report, cathedrals, and growing an herb garden.
Unit 4: Africa (Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling)
Week 13 – African safari animals, iconography, understanding food webs.
Week 14 – The pyramids of Egypt, ancient laws, and early civilizations.
Week 15 – Africa’s natural resources, rocks & minerals.
Week 16 – African countries, unreached people groups, African folk music.
Unit 5: Asia (Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin)
Week 17 – Introduction to China, writing haiku, Asian countries, and the lunar calendar.
Week 18 – Japan, more haiku, famous landmarks of Asia, traditional holidays.
Why Families Love Precious People
It’s gentle and doable — just the right amount of content for early elementary students.
It’s literature-rich — stories bring geography and cultures to life.
It’s hands-on — art, recipes, and nature walks keep learning active and memorable.
It’s Christ-centered — encouraging virtue and compassion for people around the world.
Start Your Geography Journey Today
You can begin exploring the world with your family right now. Start with Month 1: North America or Month 2: South America for just $12, and follow along as each new continent is released. We will offer a discount for families who have purchased individual units when we release the full curriculum this fall.
Precious People Year 1 – Frequently Asked Questions
What ages is this curriculum designed for?
This unit is ideal for elementary-aged students (roughly ages 5–12), with printable student sheets available in Kinder, Print, Cursive, and Elementary formats. You can also use it with older elementary and middle school students by adding books from the included extended list.
How is Precious People Year 1 different from the original Precious People curriculum?
The original Precious People takes your family through daily readings that introduce ancient history through the early Middle Ages, weaving in studies of non-Western cultures through rich literature and projects. Precious People Year 1 focuses specifically on world geography, exploring each continent through living books, hands-on projects, recipes, and art. While the original is history-based, Year 1 is geography-based — but both share the same gentle, literature-rich, Charlotte Mason–inspired approach.
Do I need to purchase all the books?
We recommend having the main read-aloud for each unit, but many of the other suggested titles can be found at your local library, borrowed from friends or found on YouTube. We’ve kept the book list simple and flexible to fit different budgets and access.
Can this be used family-style with multiple ages?
Yes! Precious People Year 1 is perfect for homeschooling multiple children together. The core activities work for all ages, and you can adjust the reading lists or assignments to match each child’s skill level.