Planning Form II: A Charlotte Mason Timetable for Ages 9–12

Aug 1

Transitioning from the early years of homeschooling into Form II (roughly ages 9–12) is an exciting step. Your child is growing in maturity, skill, and stamina, and Charlotte Mason invites us to meet them with a richer, wider feast. The unofficial first task when planning out your first year of form 1 is to cry. I don’t make the rules.

In all honesty, form jumps are hard to imagine. You’ve settled into a sweet routine for the last 3 years and all of a sudden that routine is upended. Not only that…you’re adding more.

In Form II, lessons gently lengthen, subjects deepen, and new ideas enter the scene: Shakespeare, Plutarch, Latin, and written narration. Yet the days remain short, orderly, and filled with living ideas. Let’s look at how to plan your homeschool day in Form II.

What is Form II in a Charlotte Mason Education?

Charlotte Mason grouped children by developmental “Forms” rather than strict grade levels. Form II typically includes ages 9–12, or about grades 4–6. Children are ready for more reading, deeper thinking, longer narration, and increasingly independent work.

They move beyond learning to read, and step into learning from books.

Sample Daily Timetable for Form II

Form II students typically spend 3 to 3.5 hours in morning lessons, keeping subjects short and varied. Most lessons range from 20 to 30 minutes, though subjects like math, dictation, or written narration may take slightly longer.

| -------------- | ----------------------------------- |

| 8:30–8:45 AM | Devotions & Scripture Memory | 15 mins

| 8:45–9:00 AM | Recitation | 15 mins

| 9:00–9:20 AM | Copywork or Dictation | 20 mins

| 9:20–9:45 AM | History or Biography | 25 mins

| 9:45–10:10 AM | Literature or Shakespeare | 25 mins

| 10:10–10:30 AM | Math | 20 mins

| 10:30–10:45 AM | Morning Break + Snack | 15 mins

| 10:45–11:05 AM | Geography or Citizenship (Plutarch) | 20 mins

| 11:05–11:25 AM | Nature Study or Science | 20 mins

| 11:25–11:45 AM | Foreign Language or Latin | 20 mins

| 11:45–12:00 PM | Swedish Drill or Composer/Artist | 15 mins

Core Subjects in Form II

Here’s what to include weekly:

Bible

2–3x per week, with narration and gentle discussion.

Literature

Living books from different eras and cultures, including myths and legends.

Shakespeare

One play per term. Read aloud together and assign parts—let it be fun and expressive.

History & Geography

Continue using living books, timelines, and maps. Local geography and world geography both have a place here.

Math

Short, consistent lessons with real-world application.

Copywork & Dictation

Dictation typically begins in Form II, focusing on spelling and grammar through studied passages.

Swedish Drill

This structured form of movement trains posture, attention, coordination, and habit. Just 10 minutes a few times a week is beneficial.

Nature Study & Science

Weekly nature walks and observations combined with reading from living science books. Add a sketch or notebook entry.

Plutarch (1-2x/week)

Your child is ready for Plutarch’s Lives, read slowly with support. Focus on one life per term and discuss moral choices.

Composer & Picture Study

Study one composer and one artist each term. Listen to one piece or look at one picture per week and narrate informally.

Latin and Modern Language

Begin formal Latin study or continue modern language with vocabulary, conversation, and grammar.

Written Narration & Composition

Begin short written narrations 1–2 times per week. These develop naturally from oral narrations.

Planning Tips for Form II

Combine Subjects: Some subjects (Bible, picture study, composer, poetry) can be done family-style across forms.
Choose Rich Books: Living books do the heavy lifting. Choose fewer but better.
Keep It Moving: Short lessons reduce fatigue and build the habit of attention.
Afternoons Are Open: Nature, play, reading, music, service, and rest belong here.

“Education is the science of relations.” —Charlotte Mason
Your role is to build meaningful connections between your child and a wide array of living ideas.

As you plan for Form II, remember that this season is not about perfection, it’s about faithfulness. You are offering your child a wide and generous feast, filled with living ideas and nourishing habits. Don’t worry if every day doesn’t go exactly as planned. The goal isn’t to tick every box, but to nurture a child’s love of learning and growth in character.

Charlotte Mason reminds us, “The question is not,—how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education—but how much does he care?”

May this stage be one where both you and your child care deeply, about truth, beauty, goodness, and one another.

Beth Howard