TruthQuest History Review: (adapted from 2003 review)

Another history curriculum some of you will say!!! That’s what I thought last fall when I first heard of Truth Quest History. After several of you asked for Truth Quest History to teach history to your kids, I decided to order some of their history guides and see what all the talk was about…and I’m thrilled that I did.

Have you ever said to yourself…..

     I need real depth!

     I need the point!

     I need the flow!

     I need specifics!

     I need it all…together…at my fingertips!

TruthQuest History offers all of these aspects in a history curriculum. Each history guide written by Michelle Miller covers a specific historical time period from Egypt to Today. (Primary guides cover American history.) I reviewed the Dark Ages-AD500-1000 (renamed Middle Ages) since we are studying this historical period. I used it this week as we discussed our history lessons, took it to the library to find books and prepared to teach history next week.

An overview of the historical time period and general resources for that period in history are included at the beginning of each Truth Quest History guide. From the overview, Michelle Miller moves chronologically through the events of that time period. For each historical event the following items are given: summary of the event in history, its relationship to the church and/or Biblical principles, list of resources, (history books, biographies, historical fiction with appropriate grade level), other bits of trivia and ideas for further study and teaching history. Nine writing exercises are interspersed throughout the Dark Ages guide. In the back of the guide, an explanation of what should be included in the writing activity and a sample answer is provided.

The strength of this history curriculum is the depth of information. When I first perused the Dark Ages guide, I was not sure it was for me.  As I used it with my kids and prepared to teach history next week, I was pleasantly surprised at the details about a historical event and specific ways they followed or did n I do not have the time it takes to read all the sources about our subject matter. Truth Quest History provide summaries and point me in the right direction for source material when I need it. Truth Quest History guides supply lengthy lists of books for each historical event it covers. You should NOT plan to read every book listed, but choose those that are available. A good “spine” for your studies would be appropriate (for example, Story of the Middle Ages). One weakness you may find with Truth Quest History guides is that it includes out of print books; some are listed as very rare. You may be able to find them through inter-library loan, if you plan ahead. This really should not be a problem at all because the book lists in each Truth Quest History guide offers a wide variety of books to choose from. 

Since I first wrote about Truth Quest History guides a few years ago, I have used covered all the guides and will begin (again) with the Middle Ages next fall.  I absolutely love Truth Quest History because they provide fantastic history books and biographies for our family to enjoy.  The best part of Truth Quest is the Biblical worldview it offers as it analyzes each historical time period.  Michelle Miller has made my job of teaching history to my kids much easier.  Although I did not receive this type of history education, my kids will benefit from all of Michelle's hard work.  As a side note....Truth Quest History guides are listed as one of two history curricula in Cathy Duffy's 100 Best Homeschool Products - You can't beat that!  

Choose one of these fantastic Truth Quest History guides today.  You will be glad you did (and your kids will thank you in the future!)

Click Here to find our selection of Truth Quest History Curriculum.

Kerry

Teaching History