Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of frequently asked question about our products. If you do not see your question listed here, please contact us.

1. When are new R.E.A.L. Science books going to be available?

Currently there are two books available in the R.E.A.L. Science series - Life (level one) and Earth and Space (level one). While we do have plans to complete the level one series and to create level two and level three books in the future, there are no definite release dates available for new R.E.A.L. Science books at this time. Chemistry (level one), Physics (level one), and Biology (level two) are all in the works and planned for 2009. When a book is within 3 months of completion, an estimated release date will be posted on this Web site. Until that time, for legal reasons we cannot give any information regarding new R.E.A.L. Science books. Please sign our mailing list for notification of release dates.

2. When are new History Odyssey guides going to be available?

Modern Times (level two) is planned for the first quater of 2009. There is not a release date yet for Early Modern (level three) or Modern Times (level three).

3. Are your courses written from a Christian viewpoint, or are they secular? or, Is evolution or biblical creation discussed in your courses?

Our courses are secular, they are not written from any particular religious point of view. We hope that customers of all faiths will be comfortable using our materials. History Odyssey courses begin at 6000 B.C., therefore evolution is not applicable. A scientist whose only agenda is to teach science writes each R.E.A.L. Science book. Therefore, R.E.A.L Science is not from a creationist’s viewpoint. There will be mention of evolution in level two and three courses (when available) as it pertains to science. There is no mention of evolution in the level one books.

4. Do you have a print catalog available?

Pandia Press does not have a retail catalog available. Our Web site provides detailed product information. For more information, visit the Web sites of our preferred vendors and/or request their print catalogs.

5. Do the History Odyssey levels follow the same order for each time period? or, Can I teach levels one and two simultaneously?

Because each level in History Odyssey uses different reference spines, the time periods do not follow each other lesson for lesson. For example, Lesson 5 in Ancients (level one) does not match Lesson 5 in Ancients (level two) or Lesson 5 in Ancients (level three). Early attempts to make levels in the same time period coincide with each other created confusion. The two courses that were modified to resemble the order of the third course, became so compromised and jumbled that they no longer had integrity or flow. So the decision was made to allow each course to follow the order that made the most sense with its reference spines and literature. However, the courses in the same time period do cover the same general events and people. It is helpful to have your children studying the same time period even if they are using different levels. If studying the same time period, your children can assist one another, books can be read aloud that all will enjoy, and field trips can be organized around history. Keep in mind that levels two and three are intended to be completed independently by students. Therefore, the only course you have to “teach” is level one.

6. Why are HO level two guides recommended for grades 5 and up? or, Can I use level two guides for high school?

Both our level two and level three courses meet and exceed high school level standards for history. Our level three courses are writing intensive and prepare students for college-level thesis writing and literature. For some high school students, especially those who have not been classically educated before or who struggle with writing, level two courses may be more appropriate. If you are using level two for high school, we recommend that you add literature from the level three reading lists and add essay-writing assignments that require thesis statements.

7. How many high school credits can I award for HO level three guides?

Pandia Press is not an accrediting agency and does not offer high school “credits.” However, an accrediting institution has informed us that each level three course would count for at least one full history (social studies) credit, one full literature/writing (English) credit (if a formal writing course is added), and possibly a half credit for geography. Many customers have told us that their high school accredited institutions have approved HO courses.

8. If my child did not complete Ancients (level three) what preparation work should he do before beginning Middle Ages (level three)? or, If my child skipped one of the first guides in the level two series, what preparation work should she do before beginning one of the later level two courses?

If your child skips Ancients (level three), he should still read How to Read a Book and A Rulebook for Arguments. We also recommend that you prepare him for thesis writing through a writing course that teaches the literary essay and thesis writing. (See suggested writing courses in the next question). However, level three guides do not get progressively harder as do level one and level two courses.

Level two courses build upon each other, with each course in level two being slightly more difficult and presenting new writing techniques and literature elements. There is some review in each course, but we recommend having your child practice writing summaries, short essays, and outlining if she skips either Ancients or Middle Ages (level two).

9. What writing courses do you recommend to complement History Odyssey?

We recommend courses that teach thesis writing, research papers, and how to write essays--literary, expository, descriptive, narrative, and persuasive.

10. Where can I meet other people who are using History Odyssey?

There is a Yahoo group dedicated to History Odyssey. To join this group visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/history_odyssey/members

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