We have been moving along rather well in our Truthquest AHYSI book (American History for Young Students I) this year.  In fact, I had my Wow! moment today when I realized that we are very close to being done!  As in about one more month.  This was surprising to me because in my planning at the beginning of the year, it was going to be a tight squeeze to get it all in.  Also, there have been many delays as we have taken more time to read certain books than I had previously planned on.

Using Truthquest has been such a great learning experience apart from the actual history we've learned.  I've learned all the things I love and disdain about public libraries.  I've learned how to manuever through a good book sale. I've learned the really great history writers for children, and the not so great!

But what I've learned about my son has been the neatest.  He really, really loves to read.  He never says no to reading.  He has never said a book was bad (of course, I'm very choosy what I hand him!).  He really and truly loves history--including biographies, and he narrates better than Charlotte Mason on a good day.  In fact, I've recently determined that it's not a good idea for me to be in the same room with him when he's reading because he stops to tell me every good point, he gets so excited!  This is so funny to me and I rejoice!

He also reads fast, and like I alluded to earlier, he retains it all.  I've also discovered that when I read to him, he doesn't ALWAYS retain as much.  Sigh.  This could mean a change in what he's doing while I read.  I'll have to work on this.  Oh, and he also loves to read in the car.

I have to say that there have been rough patches as I've learned to use Truthquest, but overall I'm so pleased with it that I plan to continue with all the guides.  I have considered adding additional helps, such as Mystery of History.  I'll have to see how it goes.  But economically and for the gross amount of information provided, it can't be beat. 

Then I had a revelation...as I looked ahead to buying the next book in the series, I perused their website and realized (even came to terms with) the fact that my son and daughter will never  be on the same page with their history lessons.  With four years between them, he will be in Ancient Egypt when she is ready to start.  I'm thoroughly and completely opposed to starting ancient history with my children that young (early elementary).  I know many aren't--especially classic education proponents, but spiritually it doesn't work for me.  You can read this wonderful article to understand a bit of my point of view on that.

I know this is a huge thing to accept, and wouldn't work for everyone, but with just my two, it will do.  I know they will have many other things which they will study together.