Notgrass Curriculum Honest Review: Our 50 States Experience & Better Geography Alternatives
When I first started homeschooling, I was overwhelmed—almost paralyzed—by the sheer number of curriculum options available. Which ones were worth investing in? Which would actually engage my kids and fit our lifestyle? Out of desperation, I bought several programs just to figure out what would stick. Looking back, I wish I had a clearer starting point. So here it is: our honest experience of Notgrass, in hopes it helps other families avoid wasting time and money.
Why We Tried the Notgrass Curriculum for Geography
Why We Tried the Notgrass Curriculum for GeographyNotgrass came recommended by several families who also use The Good and the Beautiful, which we started out with and liked initially. Their “Our 50 States” curriculum felt like a natural fit for kicking off U.S. history. We’ve done a lot of traveling, and I hoped connecting each lesson to places we’d actually visited would make geography more personal for my kids.
The bundle included:
- A beautifully illustrated textbook
- Student workbook
- Lesson review
- Answer key
All for around $82. That’s a decent deal for a full-year social studies course.
What’s Included in Our 50 States by Notgrass
The lessons are consistent and easy to follow—each state is covered over two days:
Day 1:
- Locate the state on a U.S. map
- Read a short chapter from the textbook
- Complete a worksheet tied to the reading
- Learn geography terms like capes, bays, and prairies
Day 2:
- Continue reading about the state (usually with a folk song)
- Fill out info about the state bird, flower, flag, and tree
- Optional books and hands-on activities for deeper learning
It’s mostly grab-and-go, which I appreciated. No prep required—you just open the book and start. And there are delightful facts sprinkled throughout, like how the Hershey factory is located in Pennsylvania or that Mt. Olive pickles come from North Carolina.
Is Notgrass Curriculum Faith-Based?
Notgrass is faith-based, which means it includes biblical references throughout the lessons. That said, I found it easy enough to skip those sections without losing the educational value. They’re present but not overpowering, so it’s flexible depending on your family’s preferences.
What Didn’t Work for Our Family
Despite the solid structure, my kids just didn’t connect with the content. They got restless during readings and ignored the suggested enrichment activities. Even the additional book recommendations felt like a chore. The format wasn’t dynamic enough to hold their attention—and without engagement, the learning just didn’t stick.
What did work was everything I added outside the curriculum:
- State-themed YouTube videos
- Nature-based games and hands-on activities
- Drawing and storytelling
- Library books tailored to their curiosity
That’s when they came alive and truly absorbed what they were learning.
Would We Use Notgrass Again?
Would We Use Notgrass Again?Honestly? Probably not. We’re finishing it since we paid for it, but I wouldn’t repurchase. It’s great for families who want a plug-and-play history program with minimal prep. But for us, it didn’t provide the flexibility or spark we were looking for.
Engaging Geography Alternatives on a Budget
If you’re seeking a more affordable, customizable, and engaging way to teach U.S. geography, these tools have transformed our homeschool journey:
Magnetic U.S. MapWe love the Learning Resources Magnetic U.S. Map Puzzle (45 Pieces). It’s on our fridge, and the kids quiz each other using clues and state facts. No prep, endless fun.
2. 
YouTube State Videos
Search Unboxed, USA by PragerU Kids—start with states like Wyoming | Unboxed, USA and dive deeper with extra videos on state animals, landforms, and local culture.
Pair each video with a printable state outline for kids to decorate, this one is a great one to use! They draw landmarks, animals, and jot down fun facts they learned—totally hands-on and creative.
3. 
Library Resources
We check out picture books and readers for each state, then create fun quiz questions based on what we read. Sometimes I ask AI to generate a few questions—quick, playful reinforcement that actually sticks.
Some of our favorite picks are- The Scrambled States of America, Weird But True! USA, and National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road trip Atlas.
And if your kids are craving even more storytelling-based social studies, we’ve been loving Honest History Magazine. Each issue is beautifully illustrated and packed with narrative-rich content that brings history to life—no boredom, no busywork. It’s our go-to for sparking questions and deepening curiosity around culture, invention, and adventure. Use code PRAIRIE10 to save 10%. We keep ours in the morning basket or tote bag for park days.
Why We Recommend Hands-On Learning Over Rigid Curriculum
Teaching geography doesn’t have to feel rigid or scripted. That’s why I created the National Park Explorer Journal—a companion to our new way of teaching the 50 states.
This full-color, printable journal lets kids:
- Track park visits
- Record weather, wildlife sightings, and discoveries
- Reflect on favorite moments
- Complete scavenger hunts, draw what they saw, and earn explorer badges
It blends creativity, memory-making, and state-based learning into one vibrant resource. Whether you’re road schooling or just visiting a few parks, it’s built to inspire.
Check out the 50 State Journal here for how I would teach the 50 states without a formal curriculum, and make your next adventure unforgettable.
You don’t need a massive budget or a rigid curriculum—just the right tools to spark curiosity.
✨ Honest History Magazine
A magazine that makes history feel like an adventure. Honest History invites kids into global stories, ancient civilizations, and big ideas—without the textbook tone. It’s our favorite way to spark curiosity and connection.
Use code PRAIRIE10 for 10% off your first issue. We keep ours tucked in the morning basket, ready for rabbit trails and rainy-day wonder.
Explore Honest History
