Kathleen Desmarais

I know it’s been awhile since I last posted. But while it’s been quiet here, it’s been crazy everywhere else for Pandia Press. So much to tell…

As you know, I have been on a quest to get more science books written. Well in my zeal, I secured not one, but two science writers! I can’t say enough about these two great ladies. They not only have the background, time, and strong desire to write the courses, they have firsthand experience with homeschooling and the talent to capture your children’s attention and make science fun. The courses that are being produced are exceeding all of my high expectations. These will be far from fluff courses. Serious, core science topics are taught and presented in a way that even the most science-phobic Mom will look like she knows it all! In the works are chemistry, physics, and biology. (Go ahead, dance around the room, I’ll wait.) Awesome isn’t it? That’s all the info I can give right now. No release dates yet but I promise that as soon as I know, you will know. It’s always been a feast or famine situation with REAL Science, and now it appears dinner is served!

In between writer contract negotiations, I have managed to release the first three Pandia Press eBooks. History Odyssey Ancients 1, Ancients 2, and REAL Science Life are now available as eBooks directly from Pandia Press. The history eBooks have been very popular, the science a little slower but it was just added. I am curious to hear customer feedback about how they use their eBooks and which courses are conducive to this format. Next to be released will be Ancients 3 and Earth and Space.

And in between writers and eBooks, I have stolen a minute or two to work on Modern Times 2. I love this time period! The amount of information for good writing assignments is overwhelming. My challenge has been to limit the course to being only a year long and it not taking the rest of your child’s life to complete! I have decided to add a year-long assignment to the course–writing a research paper. This will be a big assignment but there are plenty of instructions, reminders, and help along the way. I want 8th graders to be able to have these writing skills under their belts in preparation for thesis papers in high school and college. I think this course will provide that in a way that is nonthreatening and hopefully enjoyable. I am working my way through Around the World in Eighty Days. This classic by Jules Verne will provide a great overview of Modern Times and world geography. Students will follow along with Phileas Fogg and Passeportout as they circumnavigate the globe by train, boat, and even elephant! What a fun way to learn about different cultures and geography.

I’ll spare you all the personal drama and home-life updates. But they have been happening too. I love my crazy life! It is an honor to be able to provide home school materials to the most fabulous families on the planet and to be able to stay at home with my own fabulous family. “I would stand in line for this!” –Kathleen

Thanks to all of you who participated in my eBook poll. There was enough interest that it looks like I will be going ahead with eBooks. In fact Ancients 1 is almost ready. It has been tedious work getting the guide ready for an eBook. A lot more work than I had anticipated — hyperlinking each and every book title to Amazon and adding check boxes and fillable forms. But I think it will be really worth it. I wish I had the eBook version when I taught A1 to my kids!

I am in the process of evaluating the marketability of e-books and if Pandia Press publications should be offered as e-books through electronic downloads. These would be offered along side print copies with customers having a choice–hard copy or e-book. Electronic downloads offer several advantages for customers and for publishers.

For customers:

1. No waiting. Instantly receive your book and use it right away.
2. E-books are interactive with live links, bookmarks, and text anchors.
3. Worksheets and maps can be easily printed from your desktop. If your child makes a mistake, no problem just print another one.
4. E-books are generally less expensive and come with no shipping costs.

For publishers:

1. E-books are easily edited. Error corrections don’t have to wait for the next print run.
2. Paper and money saved with less printing (hey, that’s one for the environment too).
3. Higher profit margins due to less cost of production.
4. Affiliate programs.
5. No trips to the post office (always a good thing).
6. No “lost” packages.

There are a few disadvantages:

1. No hard copy to hold and pages to flip through (unless you print it).
2. Customer will have to print worksheets and maps.
3. Reading off a computer screen can be tiresome.
4. E-books are easily pirated and shared illegally with others.

I am also considering offering a seperate Homeschool Tracker file along with each e-book. Homeschool Tracker is popular homeschool scheduling software.

Let your opinion be heard! Please help me with this decision. Do you want to see e-books of History Odyssey and R.E.A.L. Science? Please participate in the poll found in the sidebar.

The revised edition of Ancients, level 2 is almost ready! It will be going to the printer next week and is scheduled to be ready for purchase by the end of this month. It will be available from Classical Home Education and Rainbow Resources has expressed an interest. The changes to the updated version are:

• New custom maps and map work.
• Shortened lessons. The lessons are essentially the same as the original version, but some have been shorten and split into two lessons. Therefore the revised edition has a greater number of lessons.
• Appearance. A new colorful cover and changes in format to match the other History Odyssey courses.

Update on Kathleen’s journey writing History Odyssey, Modern Times (level 2). A comprehensive world history course intended for grades 7 and up from Pandia Press.

I am behind in writing MT2 (when are writers ever on time?) But I still think I can get it done in time for release this coming summer (albeit late summer). Creating the outline (the sequence) of this course has been challenging. There are so many connections between events and between countries that it is a task to try to separate them all into coherent and manageable parts. I have received many positive comments about the way the other level 2 courses were separated by regions, rather than jumping from one region to another. I am trying to do that with this course, but it has been exceedingly more difficult. Here is the basic outline I am working with now (subject to many changes):

I. An Introduction to Modern Times and the Age of Exploration - a general introduction through geography using Around the World in Eighty Days

II. British Dominance and Colonization - Covers the British Empire from mid 19th century to mid 20th century and its dominance in Africa(along with other European countries), India, Australia, Ireland, southeast Asia, and Canada (Wow, they were everywhere!). Books planned include The Jungle Book and Things Fall Apart.

III. China and Japan - events prior to WWI

IV. The Declining Ottoman Empire and Unification of Europe Prior to WWI (this title is too long) - covers the Ottomans, The Crimean and Balkan wars, the birth of Italy, and unification of Germany

V. North America Prior to WWI - covers the Plain Wars and the American Civil War. Literature- Tom Sawyer and The Red Badge of Courage (or Rifles For Watie)

VI. World War I - I am still searching for good literature for WWI for this age group. (All Quiet on the Western Front will be used in level 3.) Any suggestions are appreciated.

VII. Between the Wars and the Rise of Communism - Covers the Russian Revolution, fascism, Chinese civil war and war with Japan, Spanish Civil War, and the Great Depression. Literature - Animal Farm and No Promises in the Wind

VIII. World War II - Literature - Diary of Anne Frank

IX. Aftermath of WW II - Covers communist China, Italy and the Balkans, The Cold War, and wars in Asia

X. The Middle East- Covers Israel, terrorism, Middle East wars, and the War on Terror

XI. Civil Rights, the Environment, and the Economy - Literature - To Kill a Mocking Bird

Well, that’s the outline as it stands right now. I am sure it will change. I plan to include poetry by Kipling, Tennyson, and others. I appreciate comments or suggestions regarding the outline and the literature. There are a couple of books I am concerned about, I will discuss them in another post.

Sarah (13) completed the Tudor Family Reunion worksheet found in History Odyssey, Middle Ages (2):

CONVERSATION AT A TUDOR FAMILY REUNION

Henry VII – I welcome you back to my humble home in hopes that you find your lodgings and company to your liking. May we come together as a family again and celebrate each other’s conversation.

Catherine of Aragon – Well, (clears throat) here we are. How abundant is my joy to see all of you (glares at Anna Boleyn). I expect you not to respect me as you should, but know that it was God’s will that my arrow of love that struck him first.

Anne Boleyn – My beautiful daughter (to Elizabeth) how tall and graceful you have become since we were parted. I do hope my former lover’s house hold had held you in highest esteem. May you one day rule mightily.

Catherine of Aragon – (jumping up) Witch! You speak of treason! How dare you assume that your scum of a girl will rule over my daughter of God!

Anne Boleyn – Magpie! Ugly filth!

Anne of Cleaves – Now, now ma’ dears, lets not fret. Your daughters are both sparking jewels in the royal crown of Tudor. They will both rule with an iron fist in their own good time.

Henry VIII – But over them shall rule my sole heir, Henry. Long live Henry!

Jane Seymour – (holding Henry’s hand) My king, fate tore us apart before true love could blossom. Why did we part so? Tell me that you love me still! My heart pounds for your affection, you sweet touch once more.

Henry VIII – My sweet maiden, we shall always have a knot of love that no one may sever.

Bloody Mary – My most royal Father, the joy of my heart, how can you speak to other women so when it was my Mother who struck your graces when you were a mere child. Why, your highness, did you throw away that love for this witch (points at Anna Boleyn)! She has lured you with spells and trickery, and then only provides you with a scrawny wisp of a thing. May your royal soul under God know where you have faltered.

Elizabeth I – My lovely Mothers and dear sister, may you stop your bickering and look to the goodness of this meeting. We are all here together to celebrate good food and company. If all that can come of this is spite and evil looks, then let us part our ways. I do wish that we may be a loving family, so a toast before you leave, to love and the royal house of Tudor!

THE END.