The Core Knowledge Sequence curriculum covers all subject areas, including language arts, science, history, geography, music, and visual arts, analyzing the work of leaders, great thinkers, and important artists from all backgrounds. The concept behind the Core Knowledge Sequence is that there is a set of knowledge and information that educated Americans typically know and that this set of knowledge and information should form the core of the elementary school curriculum.

Another key concept of the Core Knowledge Sequence is that students should learn this knowledge and information in a systematic and sequential way during their elementary school years. The Core Knowledge Sequence provides a clear content outline, in which each grade builds upon and adds to the knowledge learned in the past year’s lessons, so that the students are exposed to more in-depth knowledge and information each year. Sequential knowledge building helps eliminate learning gaps and allows for the most effective use of students’ and teachers’ school time.