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Could someone compare Notgrass to BJU History?


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Which one do you prefer and Why? Which one would offer more critical thinking? What literature did you use alongside whatever your choice was? Thanks!

 

Well, I had originally planned on using BJU, but after looking it over very carefully, ended up using Notgrass (American History).

 

Some of the things I liked about BJU included a more engaging text, colorful illustrations/photos, interesting "perspectives" sections which provide a more in-depth look at a historical person or event, and tests with a variety of questions. Also, BJU does include prepared "critical thinking" questions after each section that I liked.

 

In spite of those strengths, however, I decided to utilize Notgrass for the following reasons. I really wanted to include primary source readings, of which Notgrass provides an ample amount, already scheduled for me. I also wanted to have some historical fiction and autobiographies to flesh out our program, so we use the literature already scheduled in the text. (We do not use those readings for our literature studies, though.) Another plus for us is that, while Notgrass is definitely written from a Christian worldview, it is not written from the providential approach (as opposed to BJU, which is.)

 

I have been very pleased by our success with this program. After having used SL for a number of years, the text seemed a little "dry" to me, but my two dc using it both surprised me by their positive response to it. They both say it is their favorite course this year.

 

HTH a little.:)

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Well, I had originally planned on using BJU, but after looking it over very carefully, ended up using Notgrass (American History).

. I also wanted to have some historical fiction and autobiographies to flesh out our program, so we use the literature already scheduled in the text. (We do not use those readings for our literature studies, though.) )

 

What do you use for lit? I am planning on using Notgrass for this next year, as well. BJU actually looked drier to me than Notgrass! I think I am biased against BJU for the year as we've been trudging through a couple of the courses.

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What do you use for lit? I am planning on using Notgrass for this next year, as well. BJU actually looked drier to me than Notgrass! I think I am biased against BJU for the year as we've been trudging through a couple of the courses.

 

Well, I put together a "homegrown" course, using LLATL American Lit. as our spine. In addition to that work, my dc are reading:

 

Selections from Washington Irving

Scarlet Letter

Portable Poe

The Adventures of Huck Finn

Billy Budd

My Antonia

Our Town

The Crucible

To Kill a Mockingbird

The Chosen

 

We are using some of the free Glencoe Study Guides for a few of these, and SparkNotes for others.

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Well, I had originally planned on using BJU, but after looking it over very carefully, ended up using Notgrass (American History).

 

Some of the things I liked about BJU included a more engaging text, colorful illustrations/photos, interesting "perspectives" sections which provide a more in-depth look at a historical person or event, and tests with a variety of questions. Also, BJU does include prepared "critical thinking" questions after each section that I liked.

 

In spite of those strengths, however, I decided to utilize Notgrass for the following reasons. I really wanted to include primary source readings, of which Notgrass provides an ample amount, already scheduled for me. I also wanted to have some historical fiction and autobiographies to flesh out our program, so we use the literature already scheduled in the text. (We do not use those readings for our literature studies, though.) Another plus for us is that, while Notgrass is definitely written from a Christian worldview, it is not written from the providential approach (as opposed to BJU, which is.)

 

I have been very pleased by our success with this program. After having used SL for a number of years, the text seemed a little "dry" to me, but my two dc using it both surprised me by their positive response to it. They both say it is their favorite course this year.

 

HTH a little.:)

 

Thanks. I was thinking of using Notgrass with the assigned books and then adding a lit program on top such as LL. I wasn't sure if that would be over-kill or not.

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Thanks. I was thinking of using Notgrass with the assigned books and then adding a lit program on top such as LL. I wasn't sure if that would be over-kill or not.

 

I think I am going to do the same. BJU wasn't enough literature for a family coming from Sonlight. I LOVE SL's literature, but feel that I need more tangible results for a grade (tests) for high school level work. Hewitt also offers online classes for their lit and will grade/keep transcripts for you.

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