Torchlight Curriculum is a secular open and go curriculum. It’s is built around literature that is both secular and written by authors from many different backgrounds. It was created with an open mind to all cultures and religions.
Designed by homeschooling parents with kids of their own, Torchlight Curriculum has an engaging format that incorporates hands-on activities into many of the lesson plans. Keep reading for my expert opinion about this curriculum.
Homeschool Curriculum We Use and Love:
✔️ Language Arts: Blossom and Root
✔️ History: The Curiosity Chronicles (5% off code: HOMEGRAD)
✔️ Hands-On Elem. Human Bio: Doc Robin’s School of Pre-Med
✔️ All Level Science: REAL Science Odyssey
Is Torchlight a full curriculum?
Torchlight, like many secular open-and-go curricula, contains many but not all subjects. It does not include math or reading. It’s a literature based program meaning you’ll have to source all of the books on your own.
It includes:
✅ language arts
✅ writing
✅ science
After Pre-K, Torchlight does not include math or explicit reading instruction. The author does provide some program recommendations.
In addition, each grade level includes one extracurricular subject as follows:
- Pre-K: Emotional intelligence
- 1: World Mythology
- 2: logic
- 3: innovation
- 4: moral philosophy
You will need to source the recommended books for this curriculum.
Is Torchlight Curriculum Secular?
Yes, Torchlight Curriculum is completely secular. There is no emphasis on a single religion. Climate change is taught in Level 1, a subject generally left out of Christian and faith neutral curriculum.
Please note, some books on the recommend reading list might mention an aspect of religion, such as going to church. These books are included because the author has found that the quality of the book still outperforms other options that have no mention of religion.
The author recommends that you talk to your kids about how “some people believe XYZ” and then use the opportunity to discuss and learn about people, culture, and history.
The Torchlight Curriculum offers students a way to learn about the world around them through reading stories about people from cultures all over the globe.
Who is the creator of Torchlight Curriculum?
Tiffany Petty, creator of Torchlight Curriculum, is a professional educator with many years of experience.
After earning degrees in Business and Communication, she served on three curriculum boards and worked as the Education and Marketing director of a non-profit that provides outreach to students in San Diego and San Francisco.
Tiffany is passionate about helping homeschoolers increase their love of literature by providing them with a curriculum that speaks to their families. She is excited to share Torchlight Curriculum with homeschoolers everywhere.
Torchlight Level Placement Tool
The Torchlight website offers an interesting and helpful tool that helps parents place their child on the most appropriate level.
You can test out the placement tool when you click here.
Level Pre-K: Curiosity and Character (for ages 4-5)
Level Pre-K is a theme-based curriculum that follows a seasonal timeline.
Each week, students pursue their own scientific inquiries through Nature’s Wonders, while encouraging families to make weekly library trips and explore child-led rabbit trails.
Throughout each week, Torchlight’s program A Whole Bunch of Feelings presents a wide range of emotions and what they might look like for some people through conversation cards.
Weekly field trip opportunities or community connection ideas are listed for each of the 32 weeks of the semester.
Torchlight Level Pre-K Includes:
- Literature, poetry, pre-literacy, emotional intelligence, math, science, art and inquiry
- Book list
- Weekly library checklist
- Supplemental materials list
- Multiple extension activities
- Year-long project
- Original games and activities
Are you considering homeschooling, but need help withdrawing your child, sending a letter of intent, and more?
➡️ Click here to see how I can help you 1-on-1.
Level K: Worldly Wisdom (for ages 5-7)
Torchlight’s Level K curriculum is designed to engage learners ages 5-7.
Level K will introduce your children to some of the greatest people in history, including scientists, explorers, artists, musicians, peacekeepers, and inventors.
Torchlight Level K Includes:
- Language arts, character building, science, social studies, art, cultural studies, cooking
- Book list
- Media links
- Supplemental links
- Extension activities
- Geography lessons
- Notes on secular diversion within some materials
- Question and discussion sheets
- Alternate book list
- Games and activities
- Recommendations for math, reading, and writing programs (these subjects aren’t included in Level K)
Level 1: Myth and Magic (ages 6-8)
Level 1 is a place to hone your analysis skills and develop your critical thinking abilities through Socratic-inspired discussion.
Level 1 features fiction and non-fiction works in regards to history and culture. This content helps students learn about the past, understand themselves, and develop empathy for others.
Science in Level 1 explores both human biology as well as environmental biology, such as ecosystems like coral reefs and redwood forests. Climate change is also discussed in this unit.
Torchlight Level 1 Includes:
- Language arts, history, mythology, science, art and music
- Pantomime poetry
- Library checklist
- Media links
- Supplemental book lists
- Extension activities
- Geography lessons
- Literature Primers
- Year long project
- Vocabulary journal
- Ancient languages activities
- Alternative books
- Games and activities
- Recommendations for math, reading and writing (these subjects are NOT included in Level 1)
Level 2: Logic and Legend (for ages 7-9)
The theme of Level 2 includes emotional intelligence, confidence, understanding, loss, grief, homelessness and perseverance.
Level 2 of Torchlight’s history curriculum dives into the Islamic Golden age and the European dark ages. The glory of pre-colonial America and Africa is also covered.
Collaboration with Real Science Odyssey’s secular Earth & Environment curriculum integrates evolution, engineering, climate change, and alternative energy. (Additional purchase required)
Torchlight’s Level 2 Includes:
- Language arts, history, mythology, science, art and music
- Introduction to writing and grammar (author still recommends supplementing these subjects)
- Library checklist + recommended book lists
- Media links
- Medieval geography
- Socratic-inspired discussion outlines
- Year long project about becoming a bard
- Vocab journal
- Recommendations for math, reading, and writing (subjects not included)
Level 3: Innovation & Inquiry (for ages 8-12)
Torchlight Level 3 curriculum covers the innovations of the early modern era in Europe.
This level utilizes the Science Comics series, which helps students see how science and technology affect their lives today. Students will also dive into William Shakespeare’s work and explore his use of language.
Level 3 Includes:
- Language arts, vocab, history, science, arts and innovation
- Writing and editing opportunities linked to the literature
- Recommended book list + alternatives
- Library checklist
- Linked media embedded in each lesson
- Extension activities
- Literature Primers (teacher guides- not decodable books for kids)
- Year long project
- Vocab journal
- Activities
- Recommendations for Math and Grammar (these subjects are not included)
Level 4: Ideas & Identity (for ages 9-13)
Level 4 Includes:
Level 5: Equity and Ethics (for ages 10-14)
Level 5 Includes:
Constellation Series: Level 6 (ages 11+)
Pricing Information
Levels cost between $30-100 with prices increasing alongside the grade levels. This price does not include recommended books or materials. The curriculum does not include math, reading, or writing.
Add-ons can be purchased at an additional cost.
Torchlight Unit Studies
Torchlight Unit Studies offers two unit studies, Rock and Roll and Finance. Both are available at a discounted price inside the Level 5 curriculum package.
The Art of Rock and Roll (ages 10-14)
This unit study is perfect for any child who wants to learn about the history of rock music. It teaches students about how music has evolved since the 80s, how different styles came into being, and how individuals use music to express themselves.
The Art of Navigating Finance (ages 10-14)
Torchlight Unit Studies is a 15-week unit study that provides an overview of the principles of money and finance. The curriculum is designed to help kids learn how to be responsible consumers, as well as how to identify common marketing techniques.
Torchlight Curriculum Sale
The best way to get the most up-to-date information about curriculum sales is to opt in to their email list. Any company will announce sales, both public and private, to their email followers first.
The creators do mention that typically they offer a 10-15% off sale on PDF products at the end of June and late November each year.
Torchlight Curriculum Coupon Code
Again, the best way to get coupon codes or discount information is by joining Torchlight’s email list. That’s where the most up to date information about pricing and sales will be announced first.
Torchlight Curriculum Reviews
Torchlight Pros
✅ Level Placement Tool is helpful and easy to use
✅ LGBTQ+ friendly (Level 5’s cover showcases a Pride march)
Torchlight Cons
❌ No math
❌ No explicit reading or writing lessons in Levels 1, 2
❌ No evident collaboration with cultural experts (Blossom and Root contracted Apache Lipan teacher and homeschooler, Kelly Reagan Tudor, as a consultant with their U.S. history product)
❌ In Level 2, the curriculum is integrated with a separate science curriculum (Real Science Odyssey) that requires a separate purchase. The author gives you a discount code for $10 off. It is unclear if you will have to purchase this additional curriculum in order to fully use Torchlight Level 2.
Homeschool Curriculum We Use and Love:
✔️ Language Arts: Blossom and Root
✔️ History: The Curiosity Chronicles (5% off code: HOMEGRAD)
✔️ Hands-On Elem. Human Bio: Doc Robin’s School of Pre-Med
✔️ All Level Science: REAL Science Odyssey
In Conclusion: Torchlight Curriculum
Torchlight Curriculum offers many unique features that make it a great resource for secular, eclectic homeschoolers who want to provide an engaging learning experience for their students.
