From Adam to Us

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

Social_studiesGrades 5–8

From Adam to Us: Multi-Grade Christian World History with Living Books

From Adam to Us is a year-long world history curriculum designed for grades 5-8 that combines textbook learning with living literature and Charlotte Mason principles. The program covers world history from creation through modern times with a strong Christian perspective, integrating geography, culture studies, and language arts through themed weekly units.

Best for

Christian homeschooling families with students in grades 5-8 who prefer literature-based learning and want flexibility to adapt the curriculum for multiple grade levels simultaneously.

Evaluation Criteria

2 strengths · 2 concerns · 3 neutral

Primary SourcesStrength

The curriculum incorporates primary source materials through the Our Creative World companion book, which contains historical documents and excerpts from literature.

Our Creative World contains 'companion readings' that are 'generally only one or two pages long' and 'many of the readings are excerpts or writings from historical literature or documents'

Geographic KnowledgeStrength

Geography is systematically integrated through dedicated lessons and map activities, with weekly 'God's Wonders' lessons focusing on geographical features.

The course 'provides extensive coverage of geography' with 'God's Wonders' lessons that 'might be considered geography lessons' and includes map book activities where students complete simple mapping exercises

Teacher TrainingConcern

Minimal teacher support is provided, with the curriculum designed for easy implementation but lacking comprehensive pedagogical guidance.

The program 'does all this without requiring parents to prepare in advance' and has simple-to-follow lessons, but no mention of teacher training materials or detailed instructional guidance

Retrieval PracticeConcern

Limited retrieval practice is provided through optional workbooks that include unit tests, crossword puzzles, and review activities.

The optional Student Workbook has 'crossword puzzles, word searches, sentences with words to unscramble, matching columns' and 'unit tests' but these are optional components

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum provides structured daily lessons with clear assignments but relies heavily on reading rather than explicit instructional guidance for teachers.

Lessons are 'super simple to follow' with 'assignments for each lesson follow immediately after the material to be read each day' but lacks detailed teaching methodology beyond reading assignments

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

Vocabulary instruction is included through dedicated vocabulary activities that help students learn historical terms and definitions.

Assignments include 'Vocabulary – a written activity to help students become familiar with pertinent vocabulary words and their definitions'

Chronological KnowledgeNeutral

The curriculum covers world history chronologically from creation to modern times, though selectively choosing fewer topics for deeper study rather than broad coverage.

The course 'strives to cover the entire span of world history, but it does so very selectively' and includes a timeline component where students fill in pre-formatted timeline pages

Review Sources

cathyduffy

Cathy Duffy

Key Facts
GradesGrades 5–8
SubjectSocial_studies
PedagogyCharlotte Mason
Faith-BasedChristian/Protestant

Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: cathyduffy