- Truth Quest History—Ancient Greece by Michelle Miller
- For Grades 5-12 (younger children may participate)
- Cost: Print copy $24.95 PDF version $19.95
TruthQuest History – Ancient Greece is a complete curriculum that can be used with multiple grade levels. It is unlike any other curriculum on the market. Truth Quest's premise is “God initiates…People respond….History Happens.
What makes TruthQuest History so different? According to their website www.truthquesthistory.com “TruthQuest History is a deep and rich literature-based history study…but with a difference. You will not learn the story of mankind; you will learn the lovestory of mankind. You will not focus on the rise and fall of human civilizations; you will focus on the arrow-straight line of God's unchanging existence, power, love, truth, and plan for civilization. You will not simply 'meet the culture' or 'get the facts;' you will probe the truths of history so deeply that your students will be equipped to change their world!”
How is the TruthQuest guide different from other guides? The guide is the jumping off point for the program. It is divided into sections, 43 sections in the Ancient Greece guide. Each section begins with written commentary on what is going to be studied, giving background and thoughts to ponder while reading the assigned books. Then comes the book lists.
The book list is the heartbeat of the program.There are many books listed for each section. One reason for this is the age range for each guide is quite a span, so having a wide variety of reading levels is important. The author, Michelle Miller, makes a point of telling the parents to only use as few or as many books as you, the parent, feel necessary. Do not feel like you should read every book listed. The approach that TruthQuest uses is “living books” to make history come alive.
ClarkClan Experience
When we received this review the kids and I were quite excited. Sarah (14) and Ben (10) and Rebekah (8) have been wanting to study Ancient Greece and could not wait to get started. I read the the introductory material on how to use the program, read the first section introduction and searched for books from the library.
One feature of this program that intrigued me was the multiple age aspect. I have a 14, 10 and 8 year old. To be able to have one history program for all of them was a huge plus.
The guide is very well-written. I have read most of the introductory segments for each section. Michelle Miller’s enthusiasm for her topic comes through plainly. I enjoyed reading these segments, she draws you in and makes you want to read the books to answer the questions she brings up.
Unfortunately, my main problem came with having trouble finding the books. To be perfectly honest, I only own about two or three of the books on the book list. For this review, I relied upon my public library to supply what we needed. Sadly, our library was lacking in books about Ancient Greece. I could only locate about 1 in 20 of the books on the lists. Our library charges $5.00 for each inter-library loan item, so I did not search for the books in other libraries. I noticed there were times a recommended book only had a chapter or two listed for reading. This was under each section, but not listed in the Resource list appendix. Since I would have to purchase many of the books, I would like to see if most of the book was going to be used throughout the program. I would not like to purchase a book to find my children only needed to read one chapter. While I could have searched through each section of the guide to see if the book is continued in different sections, it would simplify things to have it in the main Resource appendix.
I did research the books online and found many of them for sale on popular book websites. So to truly complete this curriculum, I would need to purchase many of the books, or pay the money for the many books I would need through inter-library loan. If I were to choose this as my main history curriculum, I would expect to spend money on the books I would need.
I have not seen any of the other TruthQuest History Guides. It may very well be that my public library would have many more of the books listed in guides for say the Middle Ages, or American/European history.
Recommendation
Would I recommend this program for other’s to use? Yes, I would, with a caution to be prepared to buy books as needed. I liked the idea that we would be studying history from the point of view that God is in control of all things. I liked the multiple ages studying together, using books for their own reading levels. I feel this is a solid History curriculum.
Many of my Crew Mates also reviewed TruthQuest History. There are many guides available and you can visit the Crew Blog to read reviews of them.
Disclaimer: As an Independent contractor for The Old Schoolhouse and member of TOS Homeschool Crew I received a PDF download copy of TruthQuest History – Ancient Greece for free from TruthQuest History in exchange for my honest review of their product. All opinions given are mine and/or my children’s
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