




Our Star-Spangled Story
Bring U.S. history to life with stories, songs, timelines, and hands-on activities. Our Star-Spangled Story makes learning easy, engaging, and meaningful for grades 1–4.
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Our Star-Spangled Story
What if American history felt less like memorizing dates and more like discovering the stories of the people who lived them? Our Star-Spangled Story is a Christian U.S. history curriculum that guides children through America's past with engaging narratives, meaningful activities, memorable songs, and hands-on projects that bring history to life.
Designed for grades 1–4, this year-long homeschool history curriculum includes 90 short lessons that can be read aloud in about 10–15 minutes each. The conversational format makes it easy to teach multiple ages together while helping children build a broad understanding of U.S. history from pre-Columbian cultures through modern times. Scripture verses woven throughout the lessons provide opportunities for character discussions and biblical reflection as children learn about the people and events that shaped the nation.
Rather than relying on dry facts and endless worksheets, Our Star-Spangled Story introduces historical events through stories, illustrations, maps, music, and age-appropriate discussions. Children meet explorers, inventors, presidents, pioneers, and everyday Americans—the kind of people who tend to reappear unexpectedly at dinner when your child starts sharing "just one more thing" he learned that day.
The complete bundle provides everything needed for a rich elementary history experience. The two hardcover textbooks form the foundation of the course, while the student workbook reinforces learning through thoughtful activities and reviews. A beautifully illustrated timeline helps children see how people, places, and events connect across the centuries instead of existing as isolated names to memorize before moving on.
Weekly projects encourage families to engage with history beyond the page through crafts, music, food, and hands-on activities. The included songs, chants, and poems help historical people and events stick, while family projects create opportunities to experience history together.
One of the curriculum's greatest strengths is its flexibility. Some families will complete every project, song, and activity. Others will focus on the lessons and choose only the projects that fit their schedule. Either way, children come away with a strong understanding of America's story and the people who helped shape it.
For homeschool families seeking a Christian American history curriculum for grades 1–4, Our Star-Spangled Story combines storytelling, biblical perspective, music, literature, and hands-on learning into a cohesive program that makes history approachable, memorable, and genuinely enjoyable to teach.
How to Use Our Star-Spangled Story
- Read one lesson each school day from the two hardcover textbooks. Most lessons take just 10–15 minutes and introduce a historical event, influential figure, or important period in American history.
- After reading, choose any of the suggested activities that fit your family's schedule. Some days that may mean discussing a Scripture verse together. Other days it might be a craft, song, map activity, or hands-on project.
- Use the student workbook throughout each unit to reinforce key ideas. The activity pages help children engage with the material while the review pages provide a simple way to revisit what they've learned.
- Keep the timeline nearby and refer to it often. Seeing where people and events fit into the larger story of American history helps children make connections that are difficult to build from isolated lessons alone.
- Don't skip the songs, chants, and poems. Children frequently remember historical people, places, and events long after they've forgotten a worksheet, and the included audio and video resources make participation easy.
- The parent guide provides answers, literature suggestions, and discussion support whenever you need it, making the program especially manageable for busy homeschool parents.
- At the end of each unit, consider completing the family project together. Whether it's a craft, meal, music activity, or other hands-on experience, these projects help transform history from something children read about into something they experience.
With one lesson a day, you'll move steadily through a full year of Christian American history while creating plenty of opportunities for memorable conversations and shared learning along the way.
- Our Star-Spangled Story Part 1
- Our Star-Spangled Story Part 2
- Star-Spangled Rhythms and Rhymes (with access to stream or download audio recordings)
- A Star-Spangled Timeline
- My Star-Spangled Student Workbook
- Answer Key and Literature Guide
Publisher: Notgrass Publishing
Year: 2024
Age Recommendation: 6-9
Grade Recommendation: 1st-4th
Printed-in: USA
Faith-Based: Yes
Our Star-Spangled Story Part 1
Authors: Charlene Notgrass, Bethany Poore, and Mary Evelyn McCurdy
Pages: 322
ISBN: 9781609991241
Format: Hardcover
Our Star-Spangled Story Part 2
Authors: Charlene Notgrass, Bethany Poore, and Mary Evelyn McCurdy
Pages: 308
ISBN: 9781609991258
Format: Hardcover
Star-Spangled Rhythm and Rhymes
Edited by: Mary Evelyn McCurdy
Pages: 78
ISBN: 9781609991265
Format: Hardcover
My Star-Spangled Student Workbook
Author: Bethany Poore
Pages: 92
ISBN: 9781609991289
Format: Paperback
A Star-Spangled Timeline
Edited by: Charlene Notgrass
Pages: 61
ISBN: 9781609991272
Format: Hardcover
Our Star-Spangled Story Answer Key and Literature Guide
Pages: 31
ISBN: 9781609991296
Format: Paperback
Our Star-Spangled Story: Part 2 Sample PDF
Star-Spangled Rhythms and Rhymes Sample PDF
A Star-Spangled Timeline Sample PDF
My Star-Spangled Student Workbook Sample PDF
Our Star Spangled Story Answer Key and Literature Guide Sample PDF
Our Star-Spangled Story Table of Contents/Introduction Sample PDF
Listen to a sample of "Ho Ho Watanay"
Listen to a sample of "Skip to My Lou"
Listen to a sample of "The First Baby in Camp"


Customers earn Doodle Dollars for reviewing products they've purchased, and some promotions add an entry in a prize drawing. Rewards never depend on the rating given.
- September 24, 2026
ScotFlower
This was our first experience with Notgrass curriculum. The positive side is that it's quick. You read a few pages, answer 3 questions, do 1 workbook page, listen to a song or poem, look at a time line or map, and done. We chose not to do extras The stories are mostly positive too which is good for developing little ones. The negative side of the curriculum is that all the stories feel like one offs. There is no overarching narrative of history and no flow. It's very disconnected.
- February 21, 2026
Mixed feelings
Kristen F.
The stories were fine, but felt very short. I was hoping for a little more information. I wish there was a workbook that went with this instead of the three summary questions at the end.
- February 25, 2025
Horrible
Anonymous
It was so bad that I did not use it.
- October 4, 2024
Absolutely Amazing!
Tasha G.
This was exactly what I was looking for! The stories are easy to understand, give the real history of our country, and make learning more fun for the student. The timeline book makes it easy to review and gives them a great visual. The poems and music book are great to give them real world examples that they remember. The activity book is full of interactive ways to help them comprehend the information. I love how easy it is to use and how much my kids have learned already! I will be using this curriculum for all of my kids!!!


