Ancient World for High School

COMING SPRING 2026!
Without Doors: Ancient World for High School is a unique Charlotte Mason curriculum that is simple to implement, yet rich in content. It is designed to streamline the high school experience of studying the ancient world.

Without Doors: Ancient World includes twenty-eight weeks of lessons in Bible, history, geography, citizenship, literature, poetry, nature study, artist study, composer study, and hymns for high school students. The content is coordinated around the ancient world, creating a rich, immersive experience and a harmony of lessons. The lessons are clearly laid out in a weekly plan.

A Charlotte Mason education is a rich experience for students and families. Ms. Mason inspires parents to spread a generous educational feast before their children.

Without Doors: Ancient World facilitates good habits in narration, nature journaling, map-drawing, keeping a Book of Centuries, keeping a Commonplace Book, and recitation. This effortless curriculum will bring joy and freedom to your student!

  • Student Supplies
    Commonplace Book
    Nature Diary (blank pages)
    Narration Notebook (dedicated notebook)
    Nature Journal
    The Book of Centuries
    Thin Sharpie
    Travel Watercolor Set

    Book List
    Bible (Tree of Life Version recommended)
    In Their Words, published by Notgrass
    In the Garden: An Illustrated Guide to the Plants of the Bible, illustrated by Becky Speer
    How the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Were Built, by Ludmila Henkova
    Ourselves, by Charlotte Mason
    Plutarch’s Lives, by Plutarch
    The Book of the Ancient Greeks, by Dorothy Mills OR The Greek Way, by Edith Hamilton
    The Book of the Ancient Romans, by Dorothy Mills OR The Roman Way, by Edith Hamilton
    The Book of the Ancient World: For Younger Readers, by Dorothy Mills
    The Life of the Grasshopper, by Jean-Henri Fabre
    The Student Bible Atlas, by Tim Dowley
    Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J. Morgan

    Literature Book List
    *Choose 4-6 book selections for your student. Parental guidance required due to mature themes/graphic content in some of the books.

    Optional Complementary Resources
    Ben Hur, by Lew Wallace
    Hittite Warrior, by Joanne Williamson
    Mara, Daughter of the Nile, by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
    The White Isle, by Caroline Dale Snedeker
    Twice Freed, by Patricia St. John
    Victory on the Walls: A Story of Nehemiah, by Frieda Clark Hyman
    World Watch News

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  • The Bible focus is the story of Israel, God’s Chosen People, and Jesus the Messiah. Students will begin with the creation account in Genesis and will read weekly Old Testament passages alongside corresponding New Testament passages. Students are encouraged to transcribe Bible passages into their Commonplace Book.

  • The weekly history lessons offer a broad overview of the history of the ancient world, chiefly focusing on Ancient Greece and Rome. Students will read living books and supplement with some original documents, stories, poems, etc.

    Students will add dates to their Book of Centuries.

  • Geography highlights the geography of ancient civilizations, a study of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, map-drawing prompts, and map questions using The Student Bible Atlas.

    Students will be prompted to read a weekly news story, find the location of the story on an atlas, and pray for those involved .

  • Students will read a portion of Ourselves, by Charlotte Mason weekly.

    Students will read a portion of Plutarch’s Lives weekly.

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  • Students will read 4-6 High School Literature Books from or about the ancient world (the curriculum includes ample suggestions). Parents are encouraged to choose books that are best suited for their individual student.

    Poet Study includes biblical poet studies of King David and the Prophet Jeremiah. The study includes a biography and a weekly poem from scripture.

    Students will add passages to their Commonplace Book.

  • Enrichment includes Composer Study, Artist Study, and Hymn Study.

    The composers, artists, and six hymns are all carefully chosen and coordinate with the study of the ancient world.

    Composer Study includes a biography of each composer and six weeks of compositions: Bach, Haydn, Mozart, and Vivaldi.

    Artist Study includes a biography of each artist and six weeks of paintings: Caravaggio, El Greco, David Roberts, and Sandro Botticelli.

  • The nature lore readings delight families while grounding students in scientific knowledge of insects. Students will also study biblical plants.

    Students will enjoy the physical, mental, and spiritual health benefits of time in nature enjoying God’s beautiful creation.

  • Customize Without Doors: America High School by adding content well-suited to your individual high school student in the Miscellaneous box on the Weekly Plan. Suggestions include: Swedish Drill, Handicrafts, Foreign Language, a Shakespeare play per term, etc. This gives you the option to use the Without Doors Weekly Plan as a general planner for all lessons, if desired.