Notgrass History is a Christian homeschool curriculum publisher offering literature-based history courses for grades 1-12, where high school courses can earn three credits: history, English, and Bible.
What Is Notgrass History?
Notgrass History is a family-owned curriculum publisher founded in 1999 by Ray and Charlene Notgrass in Tennessee. Ray brings both academic credentials (master's degrees in history and religion) and practical experience (22 years in ministry) to curriculum development. What started when a homeschooling mom asked them to write a Tennessee history course has grown into a comprehensive K-12 history program used by thousands of families. The curriculum bridges textbook learning with living books, combining narrative lessons with quality literature, primary sources, and hands-on activities.
Key Takeaways
- Literature-based approach combining textbooks with historical fiction and primary sources
- High school courses earn 3 credits: History, English, and Bible
- Open-and-go format requires no lesson planning or separate teacher's guide
- Full-color hardcover textbooks with professional illustrations
- Works for multiple ages learning together; independent study capable
Curriculum Options by Grade Level
What's Included
Standard curriculum packages include two full-color hardcover textbooks (Part 1 and Part 2), a primary source collection ("American Voices" or "In Their Words"), and an answer key. The textbooks are beautifully illustrated and designed to last—non-consumable for passing to younger siblings. Primary source collections contain 370-420 pages of original documents, speeches, hymns, poems, and historical writings. Optional add-ons include student review packs (quizzes/exams), coordinated literature packages, and audio versions of lessons.
Teaching Approach
Notgrass combines the structure of a traditional textbook with elements of Charlotte Mason and unit study approaches. Lessons are written in engaging narrative style rather than dry textbook prose. Each 30-week course contains 5 lessons per week covering different aspects: the main historical narrative, God's wonders in creation, American landmarks, biographical studies, and daily life of the period. Literature assignments connect quality historical fiction to what students are learning. This isn't literature-based in the sense of replacing textbooks with novels—it's using both together.
The Three-Credit Advantage
High school Notgrass courses can satisfy requirements for history, English, and Bible simultaneously. Students complete history lessons, read assigned literature (counting as English credit through reading, analysis, and written responses), and engage with integrated Bible study. For homeschool families juggling multiple subjects and students, earning three credits from one well-designed curriculum provides significant efficiency. The quality is there too—this isn't three watered-down credits but genuine academic work in each area.
The Bottom Line
Notgrass fills a unique space in homeschool curriculum: more structured than pure living books approaches, more engaging than dry textbooks, and more efficient than cobbling together separate history, literature, and Bible programs. The open-and-go format means parents don't need to spend hours planning—daily instructions are included in the curriculum itself. For families wanting a Christian perspective, quality literature, beautiful materials, and the practical benefit of multi-credit efficiency, Notgrass consistently earns high marks from the homeschool community.
