Torchlight Curriculum

Torchlight Curriculum

Recommended Ages

PreK–6th+

Families seeking a secular, literature-rich curriculum that doesn’t shy away from big ideas often end up piecing resources together themselves. Torchlight offers an integrated alternative: a book-based program that weaves history, science, art, and social-emotional learning into thematic units for roughly PreK–5. Created by a homeschooling parent who wanted inclusive, critical-thinking-oriented materials, Torchlight has built a strong following among eclectic and secular homeschoolers. We love its rich reading lists, discussion prompts, and focus on empathy and global awareness. It’s an excellent fit for families who enjoy cuddling up with stack of books and following flexible weekly plans rather than strict daily scripts. Planning and sourcing books can take time, and some out-of-print titles may require substitutions, but many see that as an opportunity to customize. Pro tip: join a Torchlight user group or forum to find suggested book swaps and pacing ideas that match your family’s library access and schedule.

Ideal for families who love reading aloud, want a secular, humanistic, globally-minded curriculum, and enjoy curating library holds and doing projects; especially good for kids who connect deeply with stories and discussion.

Pros

Literature-based, secular curriculum praised for its diverse, modern booklists and integration of history, geography, science, and social-emotional learning; families appreciate the rich read-alouds, global focus, and open-ended projects that encourage critical thinking rather than rote memorization. 

Cons

Relies heavily on parent reading and discussion time; book availability can be an issue, especially outside the U.S., and some families find the weekly reading load uneven or the schedule hard to follow; not strongly “open-and-go” compared with boxed curricula, and parents who prefer detailed scripting may feel under-supported. 

As a secular digital curriculum, Torchlight is approved by some US charter programs and ESA providers that support parent-chosen curricula, but policies vary by state and school. Families typically submit the Torchlight website and sample pages for pre-approval if they plan to purchase with public funding.

$30-45 per bundle

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Torchlight Curriculum
$30.00 USD

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All-in-One

Torchlight Curriculum Mission

Torchlight Curriculum’s mission is to raise curious, compassionate, globally aware kids through a secular, literature‑rich program that treats stories as the spark for deep thinking. Each level weaves together history, science, geography, art, and emotional literacy using diverse, inclusive books and Socratic‑style questions. Rather than racing through facts, Torchlight invites families to slow down, explore big ideas, and build a worldview grounded in logic, empathy, equality, and scientific thinking.

Torchlight Curriculum Story

Torchlight was born when writer and educator Tiffany looked at the existing homeschool options and couldn’t find the mix of rich literature, critical thinking, and humanist values she wanted for her own children. The daughter of a librarian and a lifelong book lover herself, she began piecing together themed booklists, discussion questions, and hands‑on projects at her kitchen table. Those early plans became Level Pre‑K, then Level K “Worldly Wisdom,” and eventually a full PreK–5 curriculum that has spread largely by word of mouth among secular homeschoolers. Torchlight continues to evolve as Tiffany refines lessons, adds representation, and responds to the questions real kids are asking about the world.

About Modular Learning

FAQ: Additional Details about Torchlight Curriculum

A typical Torchlight day might start with your child curled up next to you on the couch as you read a beautifully illustrated picture book or chapter from a novel, then spread out on the floor to complete a hands-on project like mapping a historical journey, acting out a story scene, or exploring a simple science experiment. You’ll hear rich conversations, pages turning, and maybe the rustle of art supplies as literature spills over into drawing, narration, and play.

Torchlight is a secular, literature-rich all-in-one curriculum delivered as digital guides organized by level. Parents download a guide, follow the weekly schedules, and source recommended books from the library or bookstore; Torchlight weaves together history, science, language arts, and art using read-alouds, projects, and discussions, often with Curiosity Chronicles as a history spine in the early years.

Torchlight is designed for a high level of adult involvement, especially in the early grades: parents read aloud, facilitate discussions, and scaffold projects. Over time, older students can take more responsibility for following the schedule and completing readings, but the curriculum still expects parents to be active co-learners and guides.

Torchlight levels list suggested age ranges and assume typical reading and writing skills for those ages; younger or asynchronous learners can listen to more content as read-alouds, while older children may take on more independent reading and notebooking. No prior Torchlight experience is necessary, but access to a decent library or book budget is helpful.

Torchlight is a literature‑rich, secular curriculum with strong emphasis on critical thinking and social‑emotional learning, making it a good fit for gifted, 2e, and autistic kids who thrive on big ideas and stories. Reading load can be heavy; many families adapt by using audio, sharing read‑alouds, and scaling writing expectations for dyslexic or ADHD learners.

Torchlight Curriculum can work well for some kids with ADHD and autism because its mix of read‑alouds, projects, and pre-planned digital resources offers variety and structure without rigid schedules. However, Modulo also notes that some ADHD learners find the amount of reading and written “busy work” overwhelming, so families often need to skip or adapt assignments.

Often recommended in secular/2e circles for its flexible, literature‑based approach and emphasis on mental health and representation. It’s easy to drop or swap books, adjust workload, and lean into a child’s special interests.

Torchlight Curriculum can work well for some kids with ADHD and autism because its mix of read‑alouds, projects, and pre-planned digital resources offers variety and structure without rigid schedules. However, Modulo also notes that some ADHD learners find the amount of reading and written “busy work” overwhelming, so families often need to skip or adapt assignments.

Because Torchlight guides are downloadable, they are generally treated as non-refundable products once delivered. Families who purchase through specific marketplaces or third-party vendors may be covered by that vendor’s standard return policies, but in most cases it’s wise to review samples carefully before buying.

May not suit parents who have very limited time for reading or planning, kids who strongly prefer workbooks and checklists, or families who want a classical, textbook, or religious approach; also tricky in locations where English-language trade books are hard to source.

Popular alternatives in the same general space include Build Your Library, Blossom & Root, Moving Beyond the Page, and Oak Meadow, which vary in how book-heavy, scripted, or project-based they are. 

The creator periodically updates levels with alternative book suggestions, improved scheduling, and expanded notes on sensitive topics and representation. New levels and optional add-ons are released over time, so families can continue the Torchlight approach as their children grow.

Before buying, skim Torchlight’s booklists against your library system and budget, then be generous about making substitutions with similar titles so the heart of the approach—rich, secular literature—stays intact even if exact books change.

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Meet Tiffany

Tiffany is the creator and primary author of Torchlight Curriculum. With a background in education, writing, and entrepreneurship, she drew on years of reading widely, parenting, and teaching to design a program that integrates literature, history, science, and philosophy. Growing up as the child of a librarian gave her an early love of story and a commitment to stocking Torchlight with diverse, high‑quality books. When she isn’t writing curriculum, she can be found gardening, experimenting with tea blends, or sneaking in time to work on fiction manuscripts that, as she jokes, smile at her from inside her desk drawer.