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Question
Hi Janelle!
I’d love to hear your thoughts/opinions on Notgrass history vs. BJU history, specifically for high school. My oldest will be going into 8th grade in the fall so I still have some time to consider our options but I’ve slowly begun researching and those 2 choices are what I’m looking at. I believe you have used both curriculum choices for multiple grade levels and I’d love to hear what you liked/didn’t like or what worked/didn’t work well for your family. Any input is great!
Answer
BJU Press history curriculum and Notgrass History are my top two favorites for history curriculum in the high school years. While Notgrass History textbooks read more like a story in the elementary years and a little in the middle school years, their high school level curriculum reads more like a standard textbook (similar to BJU Press’ history textbooks). Both have a strong Biblical worldview as well.
When I use the BJU Press high school history curriculum, I use the video lessons through the Homeschool Hub. Benefits include my teen getting video instruction in addition to reading the textbook. (Some of my kids need the extra instruction in addition to the reading.) Quizzes and tests are taken online and graded automatically which makes it easier for me. BJU Press history also incorporates a little more critical thinking than Notgrass (which also makes it a little more challenging/rigorous than Notgrass).
Most of my teens have preferred Notgrass History. Benefits with Notgrass history: Textbook is a little easier to read. Your student can get 1 credit in history plus 1 credit in Bible just by doing the regular course. If you add in the literature component your teen can also get 1 full credit in English (literature and writing). So, for one curriculum you can have 3 credits/subjects covered.
Additional Thoughts
It really comes down to what you need as a parent and what will benefit your teen the most. My kids have been able to work through the Notgrass History curriculum independently but I do have to grade the tests and keep track of their grade. With BJU Press history (using the online option through the Homeschool Hub), everything is scheduled out for my kids, they get extra instruction from the video lessons, quizzes and tests are taken online and graded automatically, and the Homeschool Hub keeps track of their progress and their grade.
Have you used BJU Press or Notgrass History for history in the high school years? If so, share your thoughts in the comments.
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