Recitation – poetry, affirmations

Social Studies – emotional intelligence & character 

Science – scientific inquiry, nature studies, general science

Literature – poetry, various read-alouds to supplement social studies & science topics

Copywork – basic handwriting practice

Movement-based learning activities

Nature Journaling

Recitation – poetry, affirmations

Social Studies – Medieval history

Science – general science: units from biology, chemistry, physics, and earth & space sciences (level 3)

Literature – various read-alouds to complement history & science topics

Copywork – from literature

Nature Journaling

Recitation – poetry, affirmations

Social Studies – geography & landforms; North & South America; Incas, Mayans & Aztecs

Science – general science: units from biology, chemistry, physics, and earth & space sciences (level 5)

Literature – various read-alouds to complement social studies & science topics

Copywork – from literature

Nature Journaling

Sections listed above coincide with traditional grade levels of PreK-1st, 2nd-4th, and 5th-8th. Please select the group which you feel would best suit your child/ren. *Students must be 4 years old by January 1, 2025, to participate in the program.

Cultivate is designed to supplement, not replace, a home education. It does not include other necessary subjects, such as math and reading. Students will be given assignments each week (for the subjects offered at Cultivate) to complete during their home instruction days. 

When you enroll your child(ren) in classes at Cultivate, they will get so much more than just academic lessons! Our hope is that, by joining us at Cultivate, your student will not only gain knowledge, but also a sense of belonging in this community of fellow homeschoolers. 

2025/2026 Supply List will be available in July

• Pencils (and sharpener)
• Pencil case
• Crayons
• Washable markers
• Basic watercolor set
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Magnifying glass
• Nature journal (watercolor sketchbook)
• Large blank writing/sketch book
• Globe (1 per family, to be kept at home)
• Labeled baggie with change of clothes (Kindergarten)

• Atlas of Adventures: A collection of natural wonders, exciting experiences and fun festivities from the four corners of the globe by Rachel Williams
• Smithsonian Children’s Illustrated Atlas (DK)
• Big Science for Little People: 52 Activities to Help You & Your Child Discover the Wonders of Science by Lynn Brunelle
• Atlas of Animal Adventures: A collection of nature’s most unmissable events, epic migrations and extraordinary behaviors by Rachel Williams & Emily Hawkins
• A Year Full of Stories: 52 classic stories from all around the world (Volume 1) by Angela McAllister
• Tumtum & Nutmeg: Adventures beyond Nutmouse Hall by Emily Bearn

The books listed below are great supplements to our lessons. These books will be used during our class time, but we encourage you to explore them further at home if it is of a particular topic that interests your child. You should be able to find most of these at your local library!

• If You Lived Here: Houses of the World by Giles Laroche
• Howl Like a Wolf: Learn to Think, Move, and Act Like 15 Amazing Animals by Kathleen Yale
• Greetings From Somewhere series by Harper Paris

• Pencils (and sharpener)
• Pencil case
• Basic colored pencil set
• Washable markers
• Basic watercolor set
• Nature journal (watercolor sketchbook)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Copywork journal
• World map (any size – 1 per family)
• Globe (1 per family, to be kept at home)

• America the Beautiful: Iowa by Jean F. Blashfield (Spine)
• Artist in Overalls: The Life of Grant Wood by John Duggleby
• Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the World Under the Sea by Julia Rothman (Spine) (1 per family)
• Ocean Notebook – Companion to Ocean Anatomy (linked below)

• The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill
• Cast Away: Poems for Our Time by Naomi Shihab Nye
• The Burgess Seashore Book for Children by Thornton W. Burgess (1 per family)
• Cora Frear by Susan E. Goodman
• Blue Jasmine by Kashmira Sheth (1 per family)

The books listed below are optional but are great supplements to our lessons. We encourage you to explore them if it is of a particular topic that interests your child. You should be able to find most of these at your local library!

• Oceanarium: Welcome to the Museum by Loveday Trinick
• Oceanology: The Secrets of the Sea Revealed (DK Smithsonian)
• Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia (DK Smithsonian)
• Core Library of US States: Iowa by Elaine Hadley
• Land of Liberty: Iowa by Sandra J. Christian
• McBroom’s Wonderful One-Acre Farm: Three Tall Tales by Sid Fleishman
• Grant and Tillie Go Walking by Monica Kulling
• High Water by Phil Stong
• No-Stitch: The Hound by Phil Stong 

• Pencils (and sharpener)
• Pencil case
• Basic colored pencil set
• Washable markers
• Basic watercolor set
• Nature Journal (watercolor sketchbook)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Copywork journal
• World map (any size – 1 per family)
• Globe (1 per family – to be kept at home)

• Global Citizenship: Engage in the Politics of a Changing World by Julie Knutson (Spine)
• Globalization: Why We Care About Far Away Events by Carla Mooney (Spine)
• Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the World Under the Sea by Julia Rothman (Spine) (1 per family)
• Ocean Notebook – Companion to Ocean Anatomy (linked below)

• Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry
• Song For a Whale by Lynne Kelly
• The Burgess Seashore Book for Children by Thornton W. Burgess (1 per family)
• The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney
• Blue Jasmine by Kashmira Sheth (1 per family)

The books listed below are optional but are great supplements to our lessons. We encourage you to explore them if it is of a particular topic that interests your child. You should be able to find most of these at your local library!

• Kid Activists: True Tales of Childhood from Champions of Change by Robin Stevenson & Allison Steinfeld
• Oceanarium: Welcome to the Museum by Loveday Trinick
• Oceanology: The Secrets of the Sea Revealed (DK Smithsonian)
• Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia (DK Smithsonian)
• Cities: Discover How They Work with 25 Projects by Kathleen M. Reilly
• Micronations: Invent Your Own Country and Culture with 25 Projects by Kathy Ceceri & Chad Thompson
• Turtles of the Midnight Moon by Maria Jose Fitzgerald

Only the books which we are currently using for lessons & discussions need to be brought with the child to classes. Other books that will be used for future lessons can be kept at home until they are needed.

NOTE: If you are looking for a source to have your Ocean Notebook (3rd – 8th) printed and bound, we recommend HardCopyHQ.com (online) or the Wartburg Print Center (Waverly)