FAQ’s

New Policy on the Discussion of New Releases

In the past, we’ve discussed tentative publication release dates based on the best information we have from our content authors, copy and technical editors, artists and designers, and printers. More often than not, there are unforeseen setbacks that cause a slip in the schedule, affect the whole publishing process, and move release dates further out than our earlier projections. Therefore, we have started a new policy of no longer talking about new product release dates until we are within a month of publication. 

REAL Science Odyssey

We are committed to completing the RSO series of courses. At this time, no courses are within a month of release. 

History Quest

We are committed to completing the History Quest series of narrative history books and Study Guides. At this time, no publications are within a month of release. 

History Odyssey

At this time, no History Odyssey publications are within a month of release. 

For the courses that contain blank sheets on the back sides of many pages, we offer simplex and duplex eBook file options. (If no option is indicated, it is because there are little to no blank pages in the course.) In a duplex file, all blank pages are included in the eBook. Duplex files are intended for printers that will automatically flip a page to print on the back side of the paper. If you have a simplex printer (one that prints on only one side of the paper), then you might prefer the simplex version of an eBook . In simplex files, all of the blank pages have been removed.

We offer convenient, cost-saving student pages for most RSO courses. The Student Pages provide an additional copy of all of the pages from the course that are consumable. For RSO Level 1 this includes all of the lab worksheets and all of the “For My Notebook” reading pages found in the main textbook or eBook. For RSO Level 2 this includes all of the consumable pages from the main textbook or eBook: lab sheets, research worksheets, coloring lesson pages, and tests & quizzes. The Student Pages are intended for those using the course with more than one student, or for those who do not want to “mark up” the pages found in the main text. They do not provide anything “extra” to the course.

Good question!

You may be wondering why Pandia Press is publishing another Earth science course and Astronomy course for first through fourth grade. REAL Science Odyssey Earth & Space–Level 1 was originally published in 2005. It is still being offered by Pandia Press because it is a longtime favorite with a strong following of classical homeschoolers. It may also be preferred by those wanting to teach the traditional basics of Earth science and astronomy in a single one-year course.

Many of the same labs and lessons from Earth & Space 1 are included in Earth & Environment 1 (E&E1) and in Astronomy 1. For example, students identify rocks and minerals and study moon phases the same way in the courses. But there have been huge advances in our understanding of Earth science and Astronomy since 2005. E&E1 and Astro 1 incorporate new thematic elements: scientific modeling and focused definitions of core science terms.

E&E1 adds the following topics:

• The spheres of Earth: the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere
• Scientific modeling
• Geologic timeline
• Plate tectonics
• Clouds
• Global warming, climate change, and what can be done to help
• Pollution of land, air, water
• Hurricanes and tornadoes

Astro 1 adds the following topics:

• Gravity
• Space exploration and travel: challenges and methods
• Rockets, space probes, and rovers
• Properties of light
• Beyond Neptune: Oort cloud and Kuiper belt
• Asteroid belt and frost line
• More detailed info about each planet in the solar system
• Heat transfer
• Unique properties of planet Earth

Also available, Earth & Environment Add-on: a supplement eBook for those using Earth & Space and who want to teach the topics added to Earth & Environment 1.

The best place to learn about our products is on our Facebook page: Pandia Press Facebook.

Also, there are three Facebook groups run by Pandia Press writers and customers: History Quest Teacher’s Lounge,  History Odyssey and REAL Science Odyssey

If you are looking for solid secular curricula and resources that encourage critical thinking, inquisition, and investigation, you have come to the right place! Our publications are not written from any political or religious point of view and do not posit religious beliefs as factual.

A scientist whose only agenda is to teach real science and present science facts and theories that are accepted as core by the science community writes each REAL Science Odyssey course. Therefore, RSO is not from a creationist’s viewpoint and does not politicize science issues. Scientific inquiry and theory based on empirical and measurable evidence are understood to be valid and standard science in all our courses. RSO Biology 2 has an entire unit on evolution. RSO Astronomy 1 and 2 address universe origins including big bang theory. RSO Earth & Environment courses include material that teach the science behind climate change.

History Odyssey and History Quest are secular-based. Various religions and their belief systems are discussed in detail in History Quest and in all of our History Study Guides as they had influence on the history of humankind. However, we do not assign any readings from books, such as Story of the World, that may appear to have a faith bias, or that overtly or subtly present historical events as divinely influenced.

Common Core Standards (CCS) are language arts and mathematics national standards created for public school. The “Next Generation Science Standards” are the public school standards for science. Pandia Press is independent of public education. However, REAL Science Odyssey, History Odyssey, and History Quest exceed public school standards.

You may have noticed, History Odyssey is different; different even than the textbook-style of our science courses. Our unique approach to history has to do with the subjective nature of history studies. History Odyssey courses are study guides that organize and carefully lead students through multiple resources that encourage critical thinking including literature, geography, encyclopedias, the classics, hands-on activities, artwork, poetry, music, primary source excerpts, etc. History Odyssey is anti-textbook by design and we’re happy you noticed! Please read Kate’s article for detailed information about the History Odyssey method of learning and why we think it is the best way to learn history .

The revised edition of Ancients 3 is complete! Also, we now offer an Answer Key for Ancients 3. 

The current History Odyssey Level 3 Middle Ages course is being phased out to be replaced by a new updated edition at some point in the future (see the 1st FAQ above). The print version of this course are no longer available. The eBook edition is available from Pandia Press at a much reduced price for a limited time. A new edition of the main spine for Level 3 History Odyssey was released in 2015, and it does not match the sequence of Level 3 Middle Ages. We could not in good conscience continue to offer courses that require our customers to work to match the sequence to the main spine.

Modern Times 2 Teacher Guide, available as an eBook, is a test product to determine if more teacher guides are warranted. History Odyssey was written with the intention of NOT requiring teacher guides due to the subjectivity of the assignments that encourage critical thinking (i.e. there is rarely any one correct answer). Answer keys to map work are found in the main spine (The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia). If MT2 Teacher Guide proves to be popular, we will consider creating more. Please do not email requesting a release date as there are no more Level 2 Teacher Guides in the works at this time.

Yes! Many high school students are using Biology 2 and Astronomy 2 successfully. We recommend high school students pair The Stargazer’s Notebook with Astronomy 2. And for Biology 2, if you complete the entire course including all microscope labs, it is entry high school level. Blair Lee explains exactly how to make Bio 2 a more advanced high school level in a blog article: Using RSO Biology 2 for High School Biology.

Also, many high school students are using History Odyssey Level 2 courses for high school with little to no modification. The current History Odyssey Level 3 courses (Ancients and Middle Ages) should be considered advanced high school level. American History Odyssey is standard high school level.

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.

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

Specifically, we recommend the following:

• Brave Writer
• Writing Strand
• Beyond the Book Report by Erin Karl and Robin Finley

Home Science Tools now sells supply kits for most RSO courses!

Select a course from the Pandia Store to view specific supplies needed.

A Rock and Mineral made specially for RSO Earth & Space 1 can be purchased from Rainbow Resource Center. If you want to put together your own kit, you will need samples of: Talc, Magnetite, Mica, Pyrite, Feldspar, Quartz Crystal, Granite, Basalt, Snowflake Obsidian, Conglomerate, Sandstone, Shale, Marble, Slate, and Schist. Plus, you need a streak plate or unglazed kitchen tile.