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Great Books

“…Shall we just carelessly allow children to hear any casual tales which may be devised by casual persons, and to receive into their minds ideas for the most part the very opposite of those which we should wish them to have when they are grown up? We cannot…Anything received into the mind at that age is likely to become indelible and unalterable; and therefore it is most important that the tales which the young first hear should be models of virtuous thoughts…” PLATO's Republic

Great stories are intended to be enlarging experiences, rather than cures prescribed for a given sociological, political, or emotional problem. In order to immerse students in word knowledge and expose them to many well-written, diverse, and meaningful works of literature, Liberty Common School supplements the Core Knowledge Sequence with (primarily) classic works of fiction—stories which have withstood the test of time. 

Literacy Policies

  • In addition to regular homework assignments, each student should read or be read to every day.
  • If required reading is not assigned from the Core Knowledge Sequence or the approved additions to the Sequence, students shall select books from the approved reading lists for their grade(s). Required reading is limited to the approved reading lists in order to ensure that the principles of this policy are fulfilled. Students may read books from the reading list for higher grades with teacher and parent approval.
  • Students may submit suggestions for additions to the reading lists to their teachers or the principal for consideration and possible approval.
  • Students are encouraged to read additional books of their own choosing over and above the required reading. Parents are encouraged to steer their children toward selections which support this policy and the school’s Literature Acquisition policy.
  • All students are required to participate in the school’s summer reading program.
  • Teachers will set accountability measures to ensure students complete the summer reading.