Pandia Press FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about our products and home school curriculum.
If you don’t find the answer to your question here don’t hesitate to contact us.
What is the difference between History Quest and History Odyssey?
History Quest is our history series for students for grades 1st though 7th. It consists of a read aloud (or independent read for older students) chapter book for children. The accompanying study guide, when paired with the book, creates a complete one year history curriculum. The History Quest study guide is a multiple resource approach that combines history with geography, activities, and writing. There is a history Travel Log activity with a timeline/geography exercise that pairs with the imaginary time travel in the History Hops from the chapter books along with activity ideas, literature readings, writing and comprehension exercise, map work. At this time there is History Quest Early Times and History Quest Middle Times. Next to come out (in early 2022) will be History Quest United States. Following this will be History Quest Modern Times, which will pick up in world history where History Quest Middle Times left off for a total of 3 year long book/study guides of world history.
History Quest has gradually replaced our original History Odyssey Level 1 series for elementary students over the past few years. In September, 2019 we retired History Odyssey Ancients Level 1 and replaced it with History Quest: Early Times Study Guide. History Quest: Middle Times Study Guide replaced History Odyssey Middle Ages Level 1 in August, 2020. In August 2021, History Odyssey Early Modern Level 1 and History Odyssey Modern Level 1 were replaced with an updated and combined version in the form of Modern History Bridge. Modern History Bridge is a one-year study guide that completes the three year cycle of world history of History Quest. It will eventually be retired when History Quest Modern Times is released.
History Odyssey (previously known as History Odyssey Level 2) is our history study guide series for middle school and high school. History Odyssey study guides will transition your student to independent learning with minimal assistance from a parent or teacher. Students learn information organization, literary analysis, research skills, and writing skills through reading some of the the greatest literature for each time period. They learn outlining, timeline analysis, geography, and critical thinking through daily lessons with worksheets and backline maps included. The History Odyssey series consists of 4 years of world history study including Ancients, Middle Ages, Early Modern, and Modern.
What is Modern History Bridge?
Modern History Bridge is a compilation and update of parts of two History Odyssey study guides which were previously offered by Pandia Press: Early Modern Level 1 and Modern Level 1. The History Quest series, first published in 2019, replaces the Level 1 History Odyssey series for elementary grades. Early Times and Middle Times are the first two books in the History Quest series. Together they cover human history from pre-history through the start of the early modern period. Modern History Bridge serves to complete the three-year world history cycle covering events from the end of Middle Times through modern history.
Modern History Bridge is a complete one-year curriculum guide that combines history with activities, world geography, great books, and writing covering Colonization to the Modern Age.
After completing Modern History Bridge, your student can move on to the History Odyssey series (a series for students in grades 6 and up) or can complete History Quest United States which is expected in early 2022. Modern History Bridge will eventually be replaced by History Quest Modern Times when it is available.
When are more REAL Science Odyssey, History Quest books, or History Odyssey Study Guides going to be available?
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 R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey series of courses. At this time, no courses are within a month of release. The next R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey course to be released will be Biology Level 1.
History Quest
At this time, no History Quest publications are within a month of release. The next History Quest to be released will be History Quest United States.
History Odyssey
At this time, no History Odyssey publications are within a month of release.
Where can I meet other people who are using History Quest, History Odyssey, and REAL Science Odyssey?
Also, there are three Facebook groups run by Pandia Press writers and customers: History Quest Teacher’s Lounge, History Odyssey and REAL Science Odyssey
What is new about RSO Biology 2 Second Edition?
The second edition of RSO Biology 2 was released in August of 2020. The changes from the first edition are mostly cosmetic with just a few minor changes in content. The first edition student book was a combination of both the student text and the work pages all in one very large book that was a little difficult to manage. In the second edition, the student book has been separated into two parts There is the perfect-bound, softcover student text book that is in full color and non-consumable. There is also a separate coil-bound, consumable student workbook. You will need both parts to complete the course. If you have more than one student, you can easily use one copy of the student text book and have as many workbooks as needed. Both parts are available as print copies or as PDF files.
A Teacher’s guide is also available and recommended, especially for the parent/teacher who is a science novice. The second edition of the teacher guide has been edited to correspond with the new format and page numbers of the second edition student textbook and workbook.
What is the status of American History Odyssey?
What's the difference between a duplex and a simplex eBook file?
What are the Extra Student Pages?
Are your courses written from a Christian viewpoint, or are they secular? Is evolution, climate change, or biblical creation discussed in your courses? Is Pandia Press aligned with Common Core Standards?
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.
Why is History Odyssey so different? Why is it not written like a textbook?
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!
What is happening to History Odyssey Ancients and Middle Ages Level 3 courses?
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. 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.
Are you planning to write more History Odyssey Level 2 Teacher Guides?
Can I use Level 2 courses for high school?
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.
How many high school credits can I award for History Odyssey Level 3 guides?
What writing courses do you recommend to complement History Odyssey?
Specifically, we recommend the following:
- Brave Writer
- Beyond the Book Report by Erin Karl and Robin Finley
Where can I purchase the supplies needed for REAL Science Odyssey? or, Can I make my own rock kit for Earth & Environment 1?
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 & Environment 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.
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