1ST STEP™ PROGRAMMING
SEMESTER BY SEMESTER

This is a breakdown of the courses a student should do, on a semester to semester basis.

A semester is approximately 20 weeks of school. There are two semesters in a year, totaling roughly 180 days of school per year. Each semester, therefore, should include around 90 days of school. This allows for two weeks of vacation time every semester, about right given Christmas/New Years, Easter, and other days off.

A SEMESTER BY SEMESTER BREAKDOWN
FOR 1ST STEP AND CONNECT THE THOUGHTS:
WHAT THE STUDENT SHOULD DO, AND WHEN

The amount of school done each day is often determined by individual school district, so what I'm offering here is an overview. We'll break down studies for four general age groups which correspond with what 1st Step and Connect The Thoughts offer. These are:

This gives you a broad picture of the study time that should be dedicated. It includes Physical Education, and all the subjects which should be studied.

Every course offered is structured specifically for that age group. Subjects that are repeated provide increasingly difficult information and methods, so the educational process and the results are deepened rather than repeated.

Our courses are designed so that a student can do individual courses and fit them into your existing curricula. But the best way to experience either 1st Step or CTT is to start at the right level for the student, and do all the courses in order. In this way, the student will receive a comprehensive education, one coordinated so there's a maximum amount of information and understanding and experience, and a minimum amount of repetition.

Now let's break it down semester by semester. Remember, each school year has two semesters of 20 weeks each.




1st Step Starter Semester I

(The first semester in the first year of Starter, ages 5-6)
(Starter courses are "pre-literate", for students who have limited or not literacy. The delivery of these materials is teacher-intensive. These courses are very "hands-on".)

  • Starter Living Your Life I-II
    • These cover safety at home, playing with others, around a classroom, and in and around cars. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Starter Creative Writing I (Done 3 times a week)

  • Starter History I-II-III-IV
    • These cover pre-history (before history was written); Early man, Mesopotamia and Egyptian history. (Done 3 times a week)
  • Starter Science I-II-III
    • Covering how to observe, how to differentiate and categorize, how to tell the difference between facts and falsehoods, and the basic law of science -- cause and effect. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Starter Reading Program
    • A program designed to rapidly improve reading skills using word identification. (Done daily)
  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step)

1st Step Starter Semester II

(The second semester in the first year of Starter, ages 5-6)

  • Starter Living Your Life III-IV
    • These cover how to be a good student, and how to stay healthy. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Starter Creative Writing II (Done 3 times a week)

  • Starter History V-VI-VII
    • These cover ancient Greece, China, India and Rome. (Done 3 times a week)
  • Starter Science IV-V
    • Covering the Earth Sciences. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Starter Reading Program
    • A program designed to rapidly improve reading skills using word identification. (Done daily)
  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step)

1st Step Starter Semester III

(The first semester in the second year of Starter, ages 5-6)
(The second year of Starter is not currently available.)

  • Starter Living Your Life V-VI
    • TBD (Done 2 times a week)
  • Starter Creative Writing III (Done 3 times a week)

  • Starter History VIII-IX-X
    • These cover the Medieval Period, The Renaissance, The 18th century. (Done 3 times a week)
  • Starter Science IV-V
    • Covering simple astronomy and chemistry. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Starter Reading Program
    • A program designed to rapidly improve reading skills using word identification. (Done daily)
  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step)

1st Step Starter Semester IV

(The final semester in the second year of Starter, ages 5-6)
(The second year of Starter is not currently available.)

  • Starter Living Your Life VII-VIII
    • TBD (Done 2 times a week)
  • Starter Creative Writing VI (Done 3 times a week)

  • Starter History XIII-XIV
    • These cover the 20th Century. (Done 3 times a week)
  • Starter Science VI-VII
    • Covering biology. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Starter Reading Program
    • A program designed to rapidly improve reading skills using word identification. (Done daily)
  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step)




1st Step Elementary Semester I

(The first semester in the first year of Elementary, ages 7-8)
(The entire Elementary two year program is now available.)

  • Elementary Living Your Life I-II-III
    • Covering how to organize time, do research and be an effective student, what fairness is in dealings with other, what a good relationship would be with family, friends and others, how to stay healthy. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Elementary Creative Writing I (Done 3 times a week)

  • Elementary History I-II-III
    • These cover What is history, and the key points in history regarding religion, technology, and political ideas and movements. (Done 3 times a week)
  • Elementary Science I-II
    • Covering how to measure different things and categorize them. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Elementary Reading Program
    • A program designed to rapidly improve reading skills using word identification. (Done daily)
  • Elementary Spelling Program

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step)

1st Step Elementary Semester II

(The second semester in the first year of Elementary, ages 7-8)

  • Elementary Living Your Life III-IV
    • Covering extensively for the age group the human body and health issues. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Elementary Creative Writing II (Done 3 times a week)

  • Elementary History IV-V-VI
    • Covering around fifty of the most important people in history. (Done 3 times a week)
  • Elementary Science III-IV
    • Covering basic geology, oceanography and meteorology. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Elementary Reading Program
    • A program designed to rapidly improve reading skills using word identification. (Done daily)
  • Elementary Spelling Program

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step)

1st Step Elementary Semester III

(The first semester in the second year of Elementary, ages 7-8)

  • Elementary Living Your Life IV-V
    • TBD (Done 2 times a week)
  • Elementary Creative Writing III (Done 3 times a week)

  • Elementary History VII-VIII-IX
    • TBD (Done 3 times a week)
  • Elementary Science V-VI
    • Covering basic chemistry and biology. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Elementary Reading Program
    • A program designed to rapidly improve reading skills using word identification. (Done daily)
  • Elementary Spelling Program

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step)

1st Step Elementary Semester IV

(The final semester in the second year of Elementary, ages 7-8)

  • Elementary Living Your Life VI-VII
    • TBD (Done 2 times a week)
  • Elementary Creative Writing IV (Done 3 times a week)

  • Elementary History VII-VIII-IX
    • TBD (Done 3 times a week)
  • Elementary Science V-VI
    • Covering basic astronomy, physics. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Elementary Reading Program
    • A program designed to rapidly improve reading skills using word identification. (Done daily)
  • Elementary Spelling Program

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by 1st Step)




Connect The Thoughts Lower School Semester I

(The first semester in the first year of Lower School (LS), ages 9-10)
(All the courses offered by CTT are currently available.)

  • How To Do Connect The Thoughts Courses Course (Done intensively as the first course, until completed.)

  • Information -- Right Or Wrong (Done intensively as the second course, until completed.)

  • LS How To Do Research (Done intensively until completed.)

  • CTT Creative Writing I (Done 3 times a week)

  • Lower School History I-II-III-IV
    • These cover what is history, pre-history (before writing), Egypt, Mesopotamia, early religions, Judaism, Phoenicia and related subjects. These courses utilize Van Loon's The Story of Mankind as a source text. (3-5 times per week)
  • Lower School Science I
    • Covering science basics. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Lower School Reading Program
    • (Done on the student's time.)
  • Lower School Spelling Program

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT)

Connect The Thoughts Lower School Semester II

(The second semester in the first year of Lower School (LS), ages 9-10)
(All the courses offered by CTT are currently available.)

  • CTT Creative Writing II (Done 3 times a week)

  • Lower School History V-VI-VII-VIII
    • These cover Greece, Rome, and early Christianity. These courses utilize Van Loon's The Story of Mankind as a source text. (3-5 times per week)
  • Lower School Science II-III
    • Covering Earth Sciences, and Biology. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Lower School Reading Program
    • (Done on the student's time.)
  • Lower School Spelling Program

  • An Arts Elective (Music, acting, animation are offered by CTT)

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT)

Connect The Thoughts Lower School Semester III

(The first semester in the second year of Lower School (LS), ages 9-10)
(All the courses offered by CTT are currently available.)

  • CTT Creative Writing III (Done 3 times a week)

  • Lower School History IX-X-XI-XII
    • These cover the development of Europe during and after the fall of Rome, India and China, And Eastern Religions. These courses utilize Van Loon's The Story of Mankind as a source text. (3-5 times a week.)
  • Lower School Science IV
    • Covering astronomy and physics. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Lower School Reading Program
    • (Done on the student's time.)
  • Lower School Spelling Program

  • An Arts Elective (Music, acting, animation are offered by CTT)

  • The student can do a Current Event's Course such as Energy, Human Rights, or one of the many we offer.

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT)

Connect The Thoughts Lower School Semester IV

(The final semester in the second year of Lower School (LS), ages 9-10)
(All the courses offered by CTT are currently available.)

  • CTT Creative Writing III to completion. (Done 3 times a week)

  • Lower School History XIII-XIV-XV-XI
    • The remainder of world history to the 20th Century. (3-5 times a week.)
  • Lower School Science V
    • Covering Science Projects. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Lower School Reading Program
    • (Done on the student's time.)
  • Lower School Spelling Program

  • An Arts Elective (Music, acting, animation are offered by CTT)

  • The student can do a Current Event's Course such as Energy, Human Rights, or one of the many we offer.

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT)




Connect The Thoughts Upper School Semester I

(The first semester in the first year of Upper School (US), ages 11-adult)
(All the courses offered by CTT are currently available.)
(NOTE: A student who has already dome "How To Do CTT Course" , and "Information - Right or Wrong" may skip to Upper School "How To Do Research". )

  • How To Do Connect The Thoughts Courses Course (Done intensively as the first course, until completed.)

  • Information -- Right Or Wrong (Done intensively as the second course, until completed.)

  • US How To Do Research (Done intensively until the point in the course where it tells the student to start History and other studies.)

  • CTT Creative Writing I (Done 3 times a week)

  • Upper School History I-II
    • These cover what is history, pre-history (before writing), Egypt, Mesopotamia, The Middle East, China and India, their histories, religions, arts, and related subjects. (5 times per week)
  • Upper School Science I
    • Covering science basics. (Done 2 times a week)
  • Upper School Reading Program
    • (Done on the student's time.)
  • Upper School Spelling Program

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT)

Connect The Thoughts Upper School Semester II

(The second semester in the first year of Upper School (US), ages 11-adult)
(All the courses offered by CTT are currently available.)

  • CTT Creative Writing II (Done 3 times a week)

  • Upper School History III-IV
    • These cover Greece, Rome. (5 times per week.)
  • Upper School Science II
    • Covering Geology. (Done 2-3 times a week)
  • Upper School Reading Program
    • (Done on the student's time.)
  • Upper School Spelling Program

  • An Arts Elective (Music, acting, animation are offered by CTT)

  • Manners Course

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT)

Connect The Thoughts Upper School Semester III

(The first semester in the second year of Upper School (US), ages 11-adult)
(All the courses offered by CTT are currently available.)

  • CTT Creative Writing III (Done 3 times a week)

  • Upper School History IV (to finish) - V
    • These cover Rome, The Medieval Age. (5 times per week.)
  • Upper School Science III
    • Covering Oceanography. (Done 2-3 times a week)
  • Upper School Reading Program
    • (Done on the student's time.)
  • Upper School Spelling Program

  • An Arts Elective (Music, acting, animation are offered by CTT)

  • A Current Events Course (we offer many of these)

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT)

Connect The Thoughts Upper School Semester IV

(The second semester in the second year of Upper School (US), ages 11-adult)
(All the courses offered by CTT are currently available.)

  • CTT Creative Writing III (Done 3 times a week)

  • Upper School History VI
    • The Renaissance, Reformation and Restoration. (5 times per week.)
  • Upper School Science IV
    • Covering Meteorology. (Done 2-3 times a week)
  • Upper School Reading Program
    • (Done on the student's time.)
  • Upper School Spelling Program

  • An Arts Elective (Music, acting, animation are offered by CTT)

  • A Current Events Course (we offer many of these)

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT)

Connect The Thoughts Upper School Semester V

(The first semester in the third year of Upper School (US), ages 11-adult)
(All the courses offered by CTT are currently available.)

  • CTT Creative Writing IV (Done 5 times a week)

  • Upper School History VII
    • American Civics and History. (5 times per week.)
      (NOTE: In other nations, you'll need a civics course.)
  • Upper School Science V
    • Chemistry. (Done 3 times a week)
  • Upper School Reading Program
    • (Done on the student's time.)
  • Upper School Spelling Program

  • An Arts Elective (Music, acting, animation are offered by CTT)

  • A Current Events Course (we offer many of these)

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT)

Connect The Thoughts Upper School Semester VI

(The second semester in the third year of Upper School (US), ages 11-adult)
(All the courses offered by CTT are currently available.)

  • CTT Creative Writing V to a done (Done 5 times a week)

  • Upper School History VIII
    • The French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, Napoleon, the life and art of the 19th century. (5 times per week.)
  • Upper School Science VI
    • Biology and Human Health. (Done 3 times a week)
  • Upper School Reading Program
    • (Done on the student's time.)
  • Upper School Spelling Program

  • An Arts Elective (Music, acting, animation are offered by CTT)

  • A Current Events Course (we offer many of these)
    • (Note: If the student is seriously thinking of a career in the arts, they should do Artist's Basics as this elective in this semester.)
    • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT) (To be done daily)

    • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT)

Connect The Thoughts Upper School Semester VII

(The first semester in the fourth and final year of Upper School (US), ages 11-adult)
(All the courses offered by CTT are currently available.)

  • CTT Creative Writing VI (Done 5 times a week)
    • (NOTE: This is an elective, and for students who seriously wish to do writing. There are various Writing VI courses in specialized areas of writing.)
  • Upper School History IX
    • The 20th Century. (5 times per week.)
  • Upper School Science VII
    • Physics and Astronomy. (Done 3 times a week)
  • Upper School Reading Program
    • (Done on the student's time.)
  • Upper School Spelling Program

  • An Arts Elective (Music, acting, animation are offered by CTT)

  • Ambitions & Plans

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT)

Connect The Thoughts Upper School Semester VIII

(The final semester in the fourth and final year of Upper School (US), ages 11-adult)
(All the courses offered by CTT are currently available.)

  • CTT Creative Writing VI to a done (Done 5 times a week)
    • (NOTE: This is an elective, and for students who seriously wish to do writing. There are various Writing VI courses in specialized areas of writing.)
  • Upper School History X-XI
    • Sociology -- The world today. (5 times per week.)
  • Upper School Science VIII
    • Science Projects. (Done 3 times a week)
  • Upper School Reading Program
    • (Done on the student's time.)
  • Upper School Spelling Program

  • An Arts Elective (Music, acting, animation are offered by CTT)

  • A Current Events Course (we offer many of these)

  • A MATH PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT) (To be done daily)

  • A PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Not offered by CTT)

A student may continue with Creative Writing VI courses after completing the program.