America the Beautiful (2021)
This page provides information and links related to the second edition (2021) of America the Beautiful. If you are using the first edition (2011), visit this page.
Comparison Chart of Notgrass U.S. History Courses
Songs
We have recordings of the songs from We the People available for you to enjoy with your family.
Bonus Downloads
Lesson Activity Checklist (full text)
Lesson Activity Checklist (short)
Alternate Literature Suggestions
Answer Key and Literature Guide
If needed for your recordkeeping, download a description of what is covered in this curriculum: PDF / Text
Mobile Web App
The Notgrass History mobile web app allows you to quickly access music and other supplemental resources related to our curriculum.
Suggested Supplements
Notgrass History curriculum is self-contained. You don't need to add anything else unless you want to. However, if you are looking for videos, virtual field trips, interactive websites, and other resources to supplement your studies, check out the resources we have listed at Homeschool History. The Notgrass History team is creating this ever-growing database.
America the Beautiful Supplements
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Editions
We began releasing the revised 2nd edition in a digital format in 2020, with the new print edition coming in 2021.
The 2nd edition is a major revision, with a new table of contents that combines some lessons from the 1st edition and adds new lessons. The design is completely updated with many new photographs and illustrations. The Map, Timeline, Student Workbook, and Lesson Review were also updated.
None of the individual components are compatible between the 1st and 2nd editions.
In 2010 we published a short run of America the Beautiful. The first and second semester textbooks had a perfect binding, but the supplemental books were put together in a three-ring binder. We made mostly cosmetic changes to the complete paperback version published in 2011. In 2012 we released a hardcover version with more color illustrations. The copyright date in the books is 2011.
The 2008 paperback edition had a completely redesigned page layout with many new illustrations. Author Ray Notgrass made some changes to the text, but the lesson content was essentially the same as the original edition. The Quiz and Exam Pack for this edition is available for purchase as a digital download.
The first edition of Exploring Government was published in 2006 with a plastic coil binding.
Links
Notgrass History does not control the content accessed through outside links, and a link to any site does not imply endorsement. Please use care and discretion while browsing the Internet, and let us know if any of these links are outdated or inappropriate.
Unit 12 - Lesson 59 / Family Activity
Here's the printable script for "Wild and Wonderful Niagara Falls":
Unit 14 - Lesson 66 / Family Activity
Here is a video demonstration of the movements in the Virginia Reel:
Here is a good recording of "Turkey in the Straw" to use for dancing:
Unit 15 - Lesson 74 / Family Activity
Here are audio recordings of some of our favorite Fanny Crosby songs:
The Cyber Hymnal has lyrics and music for hymns by Fanny J. Crosby and many other composers:
Unit 17 - Lesson 83 / Family Activity
Marine Band Audio Resources has downloads of recordings of works by John Philip Sousa and other composers:
Unit 21 - Lesson 101 / Family Activity
Here's the recipe for Original Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Corrections (2021)
An avid bird watcher pointed out to us that scientific publications capitalize the common names of bird species. We were not aware of this practice and did not follow it in America the Beautiful.
Unit 2 - Lesson 6
Question #1 in the Lesson Review asks, "Who was the Viking who came to Vinland? Which Scandinavian country was his family from?" The text on page 45 of Part 1 explains that Scandinavia includes Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Norway is the answer we were looking for, but we failed to mention in the text that Erik the Red was originally from Norway. Based on the text as written, Iceland (which was settled by Vikings from Norway) is an acceptable answer for this question.
Unit 3 - Lesson 13
Some copies of America the Beautiful Part 1 are missing two sentences on page 101. The last paragraph should also include: "Typical Cape Cod homes had one door in the center of the front and two windows on either side. The roof was steep so that snow would not pile up and get too heavy."
Unit 14 - Lesson 70
Question #4 in the Lesson Review says that "George Custis married Mary Anna Randolph." This should read: "George Custis married Mary Lee Fitzhugh". Their daughter, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married Robert E. Lee.
Map 30
The description for Lesson 111 says that Jews proclaimed a Jewish state of Israel on May 14, 1949. The year should be 1948.