The Year 2 Bundle includes all twenty of the Year 2 units. In each of the 20 units, you’ll find four components – history, geography, science, and art. Here’s an overview of what you’ll find in Year 2.
History
Layers of Learning Year 2 covers medieval history. Its main emphasis is on the history of
medieval life and kingdoms in Europe, beginning with the Byzantine Empire that
survived after the fall of the western Roman Empire and going up through the
Renaissance and the eve of the Age of Exploration. It covers feudalism, the Crusades,
Vikings, Anglo Saxons, Charlemagne, and the Wars of the Roses. There are also nonEuropean
focused units including medieval China and other Asian kingdoms, African
kingdoms, American peoples, and Pacific peoples.
Geography
Geography country studies are the focus of Layers of Learning Year 2. Mapping skills
and geography concepts will be applied to specific country studies throughout the
curriculum. Each country study includes a mapping, cultural, historical, and personal
component. There are over twenty-five countries studied in all.
Science
There are units from each of the four branches of science in Layers of Learning Science
Year 2. The physical science components include electricity, circuits, technology,
magnetism, and motors. The earth science component includes a study of weather
including climate, seasons, forecasting, precipitation, special effects, and wild weather.
The chemistry section covers metals and non-metals, gases, and the special element of
life: carbon. The biology component is a study of the human body, with a focus on
each body system. There is also a health course included in the human body units.
Arts
Layers of Learning Year 2 corresponds with the historical units and covers medieval and
Renaissance art. It comprises each of the major movements and peoples of the time
including Byzantine, Gothic, Viking, printmaking, and the Carolingian Renaissance.
There are several non-European units as well that include Native American art, Asian
arts, and arts from the Pacific Islands. Several units have a literature focus including
King Arthur Tales, medieval plays, poetry, and The Canterbury Tales. The Renaissance
comprises the final two units in the year. The course includes both art appreciation and
analysis as well as creative projects.
I am currently living abroad, so I knew that I needed a curriculum that I could print from where we are, rather than have a printed copy ordered and shipped here as the mail system is quite unreliable. I was so happy to find this curriculum! Not only is is reasonably priced (for a full-year’s curriculum for all my kids covering four subject), the style of it is just suited for me. I love the opportunity to pick and choose what things I want to explore for our family, both in interest and feasibility. Even though we live were public libraries don’t really exist, with online resources, plus a few spines I bought, we have been able to explore some really great topics. I highly recommend this curriculum.