Curriculum 

The sixth-grade social studies curriculum, From Adam to Us by Notgrass, introduces students to the earliest civilizations and the foundations of human history. Students explore major ancient regions while gaining an appreciation for each culture’s language, food, religion, government, and daily life. They study the development of Mesopotamian civilization, including its government, inventions, architecture, and religious beliefs, and learn the basic history of ancient Middle Eastern civilizations such as Egypt. Students examine the lasting influence of ancient Greece, including how democracy functioned in Athens compared to Sparta and the major achievements of the Golden Age of Athens. They then investigate Greek influence on ancient Rome and the growth of the Roman Empire. The course concludes by tracing history chronologically from the fall of Rome through the Middle Ages and up to the Crusades. 

This 7th-grade U.S. history course uses America the Beautiful by Notgrass to examine major events and developments from the Industrial Revolution through the Vietnam War. Students will study industrialization, westward expansion, reform movements, World Wars I and II, the Great Depression and New Deal, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War, with an emphasis on how economic, political, and social changes shaped modern America. The course builds historical thinking skills such as cause and effect, chronology, and analysis of sources while strengthening reading, writing, and discussion abilities. Through guided reading, class discussion, projects, and assessments, students will gain a deeper understanding of the United States’ growth into a global power and the lasting impact of these historical events on American society. 

The eighth-grade social studies curriculum, From Adam to Us, Part 2 by Notgrass, guides students through major developments in world history from the end of the Crusades to the modern era. Students examine the Renaissance and Reformation and their impact on art, religion, and society, followed by the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, which introduced new ideas about reason, government, and individual rights. The course explores the causes and effects of the French and American Revolutions, highlighting the growth of democracy and nationalism. Students then study the Industrial Revolution and its social and economic consequences, leading into the rise of imperialism and global conflict. The curriculum concludes with an examination of World Wars I and II, helping students understand how political, economic, and technological changes shaped the modern world. Throughout the course, students develop historical thinking skills while making connections between past events and the world today.