Disclaimer: I received a free copy of History Quest: Early Times, at my request, from Pandia Press. The free product was for the sole purpose of review and I made no promises for a positive review nor was I compensated for this post. This post contains affiliate links.
History Quest
History Quest is an elementary world history series brought to you by Pandia Press. This immersive history program offers a narrative retelling of all the major historical events to give elementary students and comprehensive overview of world history.
There are two levels currently available in the History Quest Series, Early Times and Middle Times. A Modern History Bridge is set to be available this summer to complete the History Quest series. There will eventually be a History Quest: Modern Times available, but as of right now there is no projected release date.
History Quest is a multi-faceted curriculum that includes reading, hands on activities, and immersive historical experiences called History Hops. The History Hops are unique to this program and provide experiential learning as students travel back in time and experience a historical event and become witnesses to history.
One learning aspect, that is unique to History Quest, is the concept of Hygge History. There are four Hygge History weeks throughout the year, where the focus is simple to enjoy history by relaxing and reading from historical literature. These are kind of warm-fuzzy, snuggle on the couch and enjoy type of learning weeks.
What’s Needed
Each level of History Quest utilizes a Read-Aloud Chapter Book and a Study Guide. There is a list of required books available for download on the Pandia
Press website. You will also need various art and craft supplies to complete some of the projects.
Read-Aloud Chapter Book
The read-Aloud Chapter Book is packed with information, in an approachable narrative style. This is not a boring history text by any means. This engaging Read-Aloud Book contains 26 chapters, each divided into two parts. The first part is the informational text, and the second part is the History Hop.
Study Guide
The Study Guide is where you get to the heart of this program. The guide includes 31 weekly units that include reading assignments, timeline/geography activities, map work, writing, crafts and other hands-on activities. You will also find maps, literature recommendations, and coloring pages. There is a long supply list that gives you everything you will need for the hands-on projects for the year. The included weekly schedule provides for lessons for five days a week. Lessons for day five are exploring web links and reading from the enrichment list, which can easily be incorporated throughout the week for those that prefer a 4 day homeschool week.
Subjects Covered
While History Quest is mainly a history curriculum, literature, geography and writing activities are included in study guide.
Grade Level
Pandia Press recommends History Quest for elementary levels. They don’t give specific grade levels, but due to the variety of options given for assignments, I believe this could be adapted to all elementary grade levels.
Homeschool Style
History Quest is very adaptable and could work with many different homeschool styles. The narrative style of the read aloud book is definitely more living book than textbook, which Charlotte Mason style homeschoolers
will appreciate. It also follows a chronological history cycle which lends itself well to those who lean toward a classical education. The variety of hands on activities in the guide gives enough flexibility that I think this could be used for any homeschool style.
Worldview
History Quest is one of the few secular history options created just for the homeschool market. While different world religions are incorporated throughout the text, the perspective is more about how they had an impact on history and not spirituality.
Things to Consider
History Quest is very comprehensive, but in order to fully utilize this curriculum there is a long list of extra supplies and books needed. I’m sure this curriculum could be completed with just the Read-Aloud Book and Study Guide, but in order to fully experience this curriculum, you will want to incorporate all of the extra books and activities.
The other thing to consider is the History Quest series is not yet complete. If you are hoping to stay with one program from beginning to end, the Modern Times level is not available yet.
Summary
History Quest is an immersive, hands-on, and engaging elementary history curriculum. This is one of the few secular resources offered to the homeschool market that was written specifically for homeschoolers. The narrative style and included narration and dictation activities make this a great choice for a Charlotte Mason style homeschool, while the chronological history cycle is appealing to classical homeschoolers as well. There are currently two levels available with a Modern History Bridge coming soon.
I am incredibly impressed with this history program. It is thorough, engaging, and very parent friendly. The schedule and activities are completely planned for you, with options to go with more involved activities, or simpler ones. I am loving the idea of Hygge History weeks and thinks this concept should be incorporated across all subjects.
Pandia Press is a wonderful company to work with and even offers a Try Before You Buy option, so you can see for yourself if this curriculum is right for you. Take a look at History Quest for your homeschool history, and while you’re at it check out some of the other offerings from Pandia Press.
