Exploring
America is an
immersive, one-year high school curriculum that integrates American history,
literature, composition, and Bible. Beginning in the late 1400s, the course
introduces the indigenous peoples of America prior to Columbus and concludes with
the present-day technological advances and political climate. Reading of
primary source documents is included.
Key
Features:
Explores the people, events, ideas and documents that shaped
U.S. History
3 credits available at the high school level: U.S. History,
Bible, and English (Literature and Composition) when using all the course
components
Each unit includes a summary of the material covered, a list
of lessons, Bible memory work, books used in that unit, and suggested writing
assignments and hands-on projects.
Each lesson has a list of assignments
Allow 2 ½-3 hours per day to complete all the assignments to
receive the 3 credits
Program
Components:
Curriculum Package includes Exploring America Part 1: Columbus Through the
Late 1800s, Exploring America Part 2: Late 1800s to the Present, and
American Voices, a collection of original Documents, Speeches, Poems,
Stories, and Hymns from American History.
The Student Review Pack includes the Student
Review Book, Quiz & Exam Book, and the Guide for Parents & Answer Key.
Literature package contains all the twelve required books for the literature
portion of the English credit.
Complete Packages available
Important
Considerations:
Exploring Americais
written to be a comprehensive three credit high school course. Families,
however, may choose to use the history texts without the literature and writing
projects if they prefer a credit in U.S. History only.
Texts are written to students which allows for independent
study. The course is family focused and may be used by multiple students and discussion-based
studies.
The Quiz & Exam book is consumable, not reproducible.
Each student will need their own copy.
The publisher provides alternative literature selections on
their website for families who choose not to use the selected literature.
Exploring America 5th edition (2026) is not
compatible with previous editions
Exploring
America from
Notgrass History strives to give students a thorough look at this great, yet
flawed nation. Through the 150 lessons, students are challenged to see the
whole story of America–the good and the bad–with a focus on learning from the
past so we can make positive contributions in our future, while also confronting
what is wrong and seeking to eliminate it. Exploring America seeks to prepare
students for life beyond graduation through developing a deeper understanding
of American history, culture, literature, and faith.
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Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
