2026-2027 School Year
5th Grade History GVL
Course Description
History for 4th and 5th grades is taught on a two year rotation using the Notgrass America the Beautiful curriculum. America the Beautiful by Charlene Notgrass is an American history, geography, and literature course designed for students in grades 5-8. It combines the flexibility and richness of a unit study with the simplicity of a textbook-based approach to history.
Daily lessons guide the child chronologically through American history, highlighting key events, people, and places. Part 1 covers US History from 1000 through 1877 and Part 2 covers US History from 1877 to modern day. There are 15 units in each book.
Each week the student will have history homework to be completed. Homework will vary depending on if your child is signed up for the one day or two day model. See Homework Table below for more information about how the one day model will differ from the two day model. The teacher will be responsible for grading tests and quizzes. Both the one day and two day model will take history quiz JunoPods using JupiterEd.
Literature Component
America the Beautiful Notgrass curriculum has recommended literature books to use in conjunction with the History/Geography course. The literature books recommended and which units of study they partner with can be found on the Notgrass website by clicking HERE.
The following two books will be assigned as optional weekly challenge reading assignments during the corresponding units. You may choose to purchase these books anywhere or check them out from the library when you need them.
- Fall – Growing Up Dakota, by Charles Eastman
- Spring – Across Five Aprils. by Irene Hunt
NOTE: Students enrolled at UHC for both 4th and 5th grades will complete the entire Notgrass America the Beautiful- Part 1 and Part 2 curriculum after those two years. For those who take this course for the first time in 5th grade, we recommend you do the second part of the America the Beautiful curriculum during your student’s 6th grade year so they complete the curriculum cycle. The Middle and High School programs at UHC continue using the Notgrass curriculum for their History and Geography classes. See below for required materials for the current school year.
Two-Day Model
To be successful in this class:
Listen and participate in class, complete assigned work on time, and follow instructions.
Grades: 5th Grade
Course Tuition and Enrollment Fees can be found HERE. If applicable, see below for additional course fees (supply, lab, textbook, etc.)
Prerequisites:
Must be 10 by September 1st
Sections Offered: 5th- Green Cedar (Mondays- One Day Model) 5th- Red Oak (Wednesdays- One Day Model) 5th- Yellow Birch (Mondays & Wednesdays- Two Day Model) 5th- Blue Spruce (Mondays & Wednesdays- Two Day Model)
Required Materials
All editions should be 2nd edition (2021).
Part 1: 2026-2027 School Year
- Notgrass Curriculum: America the Beautiful, Part 1 – one per family (Used for 2026-2027 school year)
- Student Workbook– one per student. Will be used for two years during the 2 year rotation.
- America the Beautiful, Answer Key – one per family. Will be used for two years during the 2 year rotation. This can be purchased as a hardcopy OR downloaded for free from the website.
Other Materials:
Each class has a supply list of required materials parents must purchase and send to class with their student. Supply lists will be updated in the summer.
2 Year History Rotation:
| Part 1:
2026-2027 |
Early to Mid US History |
|---|---|
| Textbooks/Materials Required: |
|
| Part 2:
2027 – 2028 |
Mid to Modern US History |
|---|---|
| Textbooks/Materials Required: |
|
Homework Table Examples:
The following tables are just examples meant to help you compare in class and homework assignments per model. The assignments listed below are a general representation and not from a specific teacher.
One Day Model:
| Concepts | Day at UHC | Day 1 HW | Day 2 HW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonial Williamsburg
Williamsburg Landmarks |
Students will learn the main lesson through powerpoint presentation and several hands-on activities. Some note taking will be required. | Read pages 120-125 in your textbook. Complete the Juno pod Unit 4 test on JupiterEd. This is open book. | Read pages 135-138 in your textbook and answer the questions on JupiterEd. |
Two Day Model:
| Concepts | Monday at UHC | Day 1 HW | Wednesday at UHC | Day 2 HW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonial Williamsburg
Williamsburg Landmarks |
Students will learn the main lesson through powerpoint presentation and several hands-on activities. Some note taking will be required. | Read pages 120-125 in your textbook. Answer the questions in the Juno pod on JupiterEd. | Students will partner up to do a scavenger hunt around the room to learn about different jobs colonists had. Students will complete a workbook page based on this lesson. | Complete the Juno pod Unit 4 test on JupiterEd. This is open book.*
*On weeks where there are no Unit Tests, students who come twice a week will only have 1 day of homework* |
5th- Green Cedar (Mondays- One Day Model)
Meet Lesley Fox
Education: B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies
Teaching experience: Over 9 years of teaching experience in the public and private domains. I’ve taught Pre-K, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Grade.
Certifications: IEW Certified
UHC Courses Taught: 2nd Grade History, 5th Grade History
Began teaching at UHC in 2024
5th- Red Oak (Wednesdays- One Day Model)
Meet Lesley Fox
Education: B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies
Teaching experience: Over 9 years of teaching experience in the public and private domains. I’ve taught Pre-K, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Grade.
Certifications: IEW Certified
UHC Courses Taught: 2nd Grade History, 5th Grade History
Began teaching at UHC in 2024
5th- Yellow Birch (Mondays & Wednesdays- Two Day Model)
Meet Lesley Fox
Education: B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies
Teaching experience: Over 9 years of teaching experience in the public and private domains. I’ve taught Pre-K, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Grade.
Certifications: IEW Certified
UHC Courses Taught: 2nd Grade History, 5th Grade History
Began teaching at UHC in 2024
5th- Blue Spruce (Mondays & Wednesdays- Two Day Model)
Meet Lesley Fox
Education: B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies
Teaching experience: Over 9 years of teaching experience in the public and private domains. I’ve taught Pre-K, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Grade.
Certifications: IEW Certified
UHC Courses Taught: 2nd Grade History, 5th Grade History
Began teaching at UHC in 2024