America the Beautiful

Name: America the Beautiful
Brand: Notgrass Historyhttps://shop.notgrass.com/

by Notgrass Historyhttps://shop.notgrass.com/

Social_studiesGrades 5–8

America the Beautiful: Christian Unit Study Approach to U.S. History

America the Beautiful is a comprehensive one-year U.S. history course for grades 5-8 from Notgrass History that combines traditional historical content with geography, biographies, and faith-based perspectives. The curriculum follows a unit study approach with multiple components including textbooks, primary sources, maps, timeline activities, and literature integration.

Best for

Christian homeschooling families seeking a comprehensive unit study approach to U.S. history for mixed-age groups (grades 5-8) who can adapt activities for different ability levels

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 1 concern · 3 neutral

Primary SourcesStrength

The curriculum incorporates primary sources through the We the People component, which includes historical documents, letters, speeches, and first-person accounts.

We the People contains primary source documents such as newspaper articles, presidential addresses, journals, first-person accounts, and letters edited by Bethany Poore

Geographic KnowledgeStrength

Geographic knowledge is systematically built through dedicated map activities and integration with historical content.

Maps of America the Beautiful includes 30 maps with 3-4 map activities per week where students create their own historical atlas, though activities may be simple for older students

Chronological KnowledgeStrength

The curriculum builds chronological knowledge systematically, covering U.S. history from before 1492 to the 21st century with daily timeline activities.

Students complete timeline activities starting with lesson 4, adding facts chronologically each day using the Timeline of America the Beautiful component

Teacher TrainingConcern

The curriculum includes detailed instructions and family activity guides but lacks comprehensive teacher training materials.

Detailed instructions for family activities are provided at the end of textbooks, but parents must determine appropriate presentation methods and activity selection for each child

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum provides structured lessons but requires significant parental guidance and selection of appropriate activities for different grade levels.

Parents must decide how to present lessons to each child and select appropriate activities, with lessons potentially taking 45 minutes to 1.5 hours

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

Review opportunities are available through optional workbooks with various question types, though implementation depends on parent selection.

Student Workbook includes crossword puzzles, fill-in-the-blank questions, and word searches; Lesson Review has unit quizzes with multiple question formats

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

Vocabulary instruction is included as one of the regular activity categories, with students maintaining vocabulary assignments in a three-ring binder.

Vocabulary is listed as one of the standard activity categories at the end of each lesson, with assignments kept in student notebooks

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com