An honest comparison

Ted vs. Notgrass History

If you love the Notgrass philosophy (history as story, taught through real literature and primary sources), you already understand how Ted teaches. The difference is who does the teaching.

Credit where due

What Notgrass History does well

Notgrass History is a well-loved, family-owned publisher of literature-based history curricula for grades 1–12, written from a Christian worldview. Its narrative textbooks weave in primary sources and quality literature, and its high school courses can earn multiple credits at once. Among book curricula, it’s one of the strongest, and philosophically it’s the competitor we respect most. Ted’s courses are likewise taught from a biblical worldview, so families who value that in Notgrass won’t be trading it away.

Side by side

At a glance

History Moments with Ted Notgrass History
Format Live, teacher-led class sessions on a set schedule Book-based curriculum: narrative texts with literature and integrated sources
Class size Kept small by design, so every student is known and heard Family-style: the parent teaches one or several children at home
Who teaches Ted Lamb, a dedicated historian-educator, for the entire course The parent, guided by the curriculum text
Materials Primary and secondary sources: the original documents, read firsthand Narrative textbooks weaving in primary sources and literature, from a Christian worldview
Grade fit Grades 5–12, with content and pace built around your individual student Grades 1–12 by course; the text is the same for every student using it
Interaction Every session is a live conversation: discussion, debate, questions both ways As much discussion as the household can lead each day
Feedback Assignments reviewed personally; feedback tailored to your student’s thinking Parent grades using provided reviews and answer keys
Cost model Premium live instruction; inquire for current rates One-time purchase per course package

Details about Notgrass History are drawn from publicly available information as of August 2026 and may change; please verify current offerings and pricing with the provider. All third-party names are trademarks of their respective owners. History Moments with Ted, LLC is not affiliated with or endorsed by Notgrass History.

The difference

A book the parent teaches vs. a teacher who teaches

Parent-administered vs. teacher-taught

Notgrass is a curriculum you deliver: the parent schedules, discusses, grades, and keeps momentum. Ted is the teacher: he leads the discussion, reviews the work, and carries the course, freeing the parent to be a parent.

A fixed text vs. a living conversation

Even the best textbook says the same thing to every student. Ted adjusts the reading list, the questions, and the pace to the specific student in front of him, leaning into their interests and shoring up their gaps in real time.

Discussion questions vs. actual discussion

Notgrass provides thoughtful questions in the text; whether a real discussion happens depends on the household’s time and energy. In Ted’s courses, the discussion is the class, every single session.

“I have always loved history, but have never engaged with the subject as personally as I have in Mr. Lamb’s class.”
Delphinia G., student

The honest verdict

Which is right for your student?

Choose Notgrass History if…

  • You want a parent-led, book-based program and enjoy teaching it
  • You prefer working from a printed text on your family’s own daily schedule
  • You’re teaching several children together from one curriculum

Choose History Moments with Ted if…

  • You want a real teacher, not a platform: one historian-educator who knows your student by name
  • Your student learns best through conversation, questions, and debate
  • You believe history should be read from the sources, not summarized
  • You want a course that adapts to your student’s grade, interests, and pace, every single week

See the difference for yourself.

Tell us your student’s grade level and interests, and Ted will reach out personally. No commitment, just a conversation.

Enroll Your Student