NOTE: This is our most popular course, presented only once every four years. The live, interactive course filled and closed several months ago. Therefore, we have developed an audit version that will allow students to follow the live class week by week leading up to the 2020 presidential election. Class recordings will be posted and available for audit students to watch the morning following the live class. 

Mr. Rivet has scheduled two live, interactive Q&A sessions for Audit students on Thursdays, Oct. 15 and Nov. 5 at 7:00 PM Eastern. The live sessions are 90 minutes and optional.

Access to the instructor for questions will be limited and the grading of assigned essays will be done by parents with grading guidelines provided by Mr. Rivet (computer-graded quizzes also provided).

Course name: AUDIT American Elections: Democracy in Action

Total classes: 6

Class dates: Thursdays, October 1, 2020 to November 5, 2020

Starting time: There is no weekly live meet up time. There are two live optional Q&A sessions on Thursdays, Oct. 15 and Nov. 5 at 7:00 PM Eastern (6:00 Central 5:00 Mountain and 4:00 Pacific). Additionally, there are 6 recorded lectures posted each Thursday morning.

Duration: Live Q&A's are 90 minutes. Recorded weekly lectures are 55 minutes each.

Prerequisite: Basic understanding of American government

Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested credit: 1/2 semester

Fee: $87 (Registration closes Tuesday, Sept. 29. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $20 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Instructor: Ed Rivet, MPA

Course description: This 6-week course will explore the "ins and outs" of the American electoral process, with a special emphasis on the upcoming 2020 Presidential Election. We'll begin class five weeks prior to the November 3rd election, with our last class a wrap-up, just days after we've elected a new president. (Well ... hopefully we won't have a repeat of the year 2000 "hanging chad" debacle.)

Course outline:

Week 1: Elections: Overview of Constitution & Laws

Week 2: Comparisons: Local v. State v. National Elections Partisan v. Nonpartisan Jungle Primaries U.S. System v. other countries

Week 3: The Electoral College - Should It Stay or Should It Go?

Week 4: Anatomy of Campaigns: Operations, PACs & Super PACs, Polls & Pundits

Week 5: How Issues, Incidents & Outside Events Affect Campaigns

Week 6: Post-election Analysis - What drove the results? How accurately did we foresee the results? What are the implications of the results?

Course materials: Provided FREE by Mr. Rivet

Homework: Students will have a variety of "home work" assignments – reading, research, computer-graded quizzes, and short essays. Students are going to be STRONGLY encouraged to volunteer at least a couple hours of their time to any candidate or issue campaign of their choice during the 6-week period. Assigned essays are optional and graded by the parent (grading guide provided).

Fridays, October 2 to November 6, 2020

2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 Central 12:30 Mountain 11:30 Pacific)

Duration: 55 minutes

Learn the valuable skill of video editing while creating fun and exciting video projects. At the end of this computer skills course, you will have an impressive portfolio of your work. All middle and high school students are welcome!

Special Notes: This course meets twice per week for 14 weeks.

Total Classes: 8 (meets twice a week for 4 weeks)

Class Dates: Mondays and Wednesdays, October 5 to October 28, 2020.

Starting Time: 4:00 PM Eastern (3:00 Central 2:00 Mountain 1:00 Pacific)

Duration: 50 minutes

Prerequisite: The ability to acquire the required software/applications (see Course Materials section). The student should have a general familiarity with computers – the ability to open applications, use menu-driven commands, and type using the keyboard – so that the emphasis of time can be placed on specific skills.

Suggested Grade Level: 7th to 12th grade

Suggested High School Credit: ½ semester Computer Skills or Video Editing

Fee: $97 if you register on or before July 15, 2020. $117 after July 15 for all 8 classes. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $20 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Instructor: Margaret Morrow, Ph.D.

Course Description: Learn to use the most popular Video Editing tools while making fun and creative projects. The skills mastered in the course will help students to successfully produce materials for their other courses both in middle school, high school, and on into college. Students will learn how to import sound, video, and image files and blend them together to create video productions.

Course Outline:

• Classes 1 and 2 – Introduction, storyboard, Adding Media

• Classes 3 and 4 – Editing

• Classes 5 and 6 – Transitions and Special Effects

• Classes 7 and 8 – Final Composition.

Course Materials: Students will need to purchase Adobe Premiere Elements, Student and Teacher edition. It comes bundled with Adobe Photoshop Premiere Elements (photo editing) for the same price as purchasing it alone, and can be at Amazon or Staples.

Homework: Each day, students can expect to spend between 15 to 60 minutes 5 days per week working on their film. Students will work each week towards creating a video production that incorporates all the skills learned throughout the course. Mini movies will be created the first three weeks, which will be combined into a full production the last week. A weekly schedule will be provided.

Join this optional accompanying lab for High School Biology with Dr. Hamilton,with video meetings on osmosis, fermentation, mitosis, genetics, and more.

Special Notes: This course is the optional LAB component for the Biology course with Dr. Hamilton. Students in the LAB are required to also sign up for the Biology course.

This is Part One of a 2-part course. Students are expected to sign up for Part Two in the spring.

It is offered in three different day/time slots so you can choose the day and time best for you and your homeschool.

Total Classes: 7 (Final schedule will be provided on the first day of Biology with Dr. Hamilton.)

Class Dates and Starting Times:

Tuesdays, October 6 to November 17, 2020.

1:00 PM Eastern (Noon Central, 11 AM Mountain, 10 AM Pacific)

Duration: 30 to 45 minutes

Prerequisite: Must be taken concurrently with Biology with Dr. Hamilton

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested Credit: 1 full semester Biology Lab

Fee: $37 if you register on or before July 15, 2020. $57 after July 15 for all LAB classes. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $20 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Instructor: Christine Hamilton, PhD

Course Description: There will be 7 labs that are explicitly aligned with the Biology Part One classes. Biology Part One Labs are to be performed with minimum equipment and will consist of common household supplies. A list will be provided in the syllabus.

Course Outline:

• Week 1 Osmosis Lab – In this investigation, we will use a hen’s fresh egg to determine what happens during osmosis and diffusion across membranes.

• Week 2 Fermentation – We will set up a fermentation in a closed system and capture the generated carbon dioxide to carbonate root beer.

• Week 3 Mitosis Flip Book – We are drawing our own, moving cell division!

• Week 4 Punnett Square – Applying our knowledge of phenotypes and genotypes to complete a worksheet.

• Week 5 Genetic Match – Students will determine the presence of certain high-frequency traits in themselves and their family members.

• Week 6 DNA Extraction – We will be creating a mixture to extract DNA from a strawberry!

• Week 7 M&M Lab – Activity to simulate the process of radioactive decay and to illustrate the concept of half-life.

Course Materials: LAB booklet for purchase under $20. Ordering information will be available by July 1, 2020. The same LAB booklet will be used for both semesters.

Homework: All work is done in class, or students can opt to perform labs at home after class.

Join this optional accompanying lab for High School Biology with Dr. Hamilton, with video meetings on osmosis, fermentation, mitosis, genetics, and more.

Special Notes: This course is the optional LAB component for the Biology course with Dr. Hamilton. Students in the LAB are required to also sign up for the Biology course.

This is Part One of a 2-part course. Students are expected to sign up for Part Two in the spring.

It is offered in three different day/time slots so you can choose the day and time best for you and your homeschool.

Total Classes: 7 (Final schedule will be provided on the first day of Biology with Dr. Hamilton.)

Class Dates and Starting Times:

Tuesdays, October 6 to November 17, 2020.

5:30 PM Eastern (4:30 Central, 3:30 Mountain, 2:30 Pacific)

Duration: 30 to 45 minutes

Prerequisite: Must be taken concurrently with Biology with Dr. Hamilton

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested Credit: 1 full semester Biology Lab

Fee: $37 if you register on or before July 15, 2020. $57 after July 15 for all LAB classes. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $20 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Instructor: Christine Hamilton, PhD

Course Description: There will be 7 labs that are explicitly aligned with the Biology Part One classes. Biology Part One Labs are to be performed with minimum equipment and will consist of common household supplies. A list will be provided in the syllabus.

Course Outline:

• Week 1 Osmosis Lab – In this investigation, we will use a hen’s fresh egg to determine what happens during osmosis and diffusion across membranes.

• Week 2 Fermentation – We will set up a fermentation in a closed system and capture the generated carbon dioxide to carbonate root beer.

• Week 3 Mitosis Flip Book – We are drawing our own, moving cell division!

• Week 4 Punnett Square – Applying our knowledge of phenotypes and genotypes to complete a worksheet.

• Week 5 Genetic Match – Students will determine the presence of certain high-frequency traits in themselves and their family members.

• Week 6 DNA Extraction – We will be creating a mixture to extract DNA from a strawberry!

• Week 7 M&M Lab – Activity to simulate the process of radioactive decay and to illustrate the concept of half-life.

Course Materials: LAB booklet for purchase under $20. Ordering information will be available by July 1, 2020. The same LAB booklet will be used for both semesters.

Homework: All work is done in class, or students can opt to perform labs at home after class.

Join this optional accompanying lab for High School Biology with Dr. Hamilton, with video meetings on osmosis, fermentation, mitosis, genetics, and more.

Special Notes: This course is the optional LAB component for the Biology course with Dr. Hamilton. Students in the LAB are required to also sign up for the Biology course.

This is Part One of a 2-part course. Students are expected to sign up for Part Two in the spring.

It is offered in three different day/time slots so you can choose the day and time best for you and your homeschool.

Total Classes: 7 (Final schedule will be provided on the first day of Biology with Dr. Hamilton.)

Class Dates and Starting Times:

Thursdays, October 8 to November 19, 2020.

11:30AM Eastern (10:30 Central, 9:30 Mountain, 8:30 Pacific)

Duration: 30 to 45 minutes

Prerequisite: Must be taken concurrently with Biology with Dr. Hamilton

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested Credit: 1 full semester Biology Lab

Fee: $37 if you register on or before July 15, 2020. $57 after July 15 for all LAB classes. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $20 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Instructor: Christine Hamilton, PhD

Course Description: There will be 7 labs that are explicitly aligned with the Biology Part One classes. Biology Part One Labs are to be performed with minimum equipment and will consist of common household supplies. A list will be provided in the syllabus.

Course Outline:

• Week 1 Osmosis Lab – In this investigation, we will use a hen’s fresh egg to determine what happens during osmosis and diffusion across membranes.

• Week 2 Fermentation – We will set up a fermentation in a closed system and capture the generated carbon dioxide to carbonate root beer.

• Week 3 Mitosis Flip Book – We are drawing our own, moving cell division!

• Week 4 Punnett Square – Applying our knowledge of phenotypes and genotypes to complete a worksheet.

• Week 5 Genetic Match – Students will determine the presence of certain high-frequency traits in themselves and their family members.

• Week 6 DNA Extraction – We will be creating a mixture to extract DNA from a strawberry!

• Week 7 M&M Lab – Activity to simulate the process of radioactive decay and to illustrate the concept of half-life.

Course Materials: LAB booklet for purchase under $20. Ordering information will be available by July 1, 2020. The same LAB booklet will be used for both semesters.

Homework: All work is done in class, or students can opt to perform labs at home after class.

Join this optional accompanying lab for High School Biology with Dr. Hamilton, with video meetings on osmosis, fermentation, mitosis, genetics, and more.

Special Notes: This course is the optional LAB component for the Biology course with Dr. Hamilton. Students in the LAB are required to also sign up for the Biology course.

This is Part One of a 2-part course. Students are expected to sign up for Part Two in the spring.

It is offered in three different day/time slots so you can choose the day and time best for you and your homeschool.

Total Classes: 7 (Final schedule will be provided on the first day of Biology with Dr. Hamilton.)

Class Dates and Starting Times:

Fridays, October 9 to November 20, 2020.

2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 Central, 12:30 Mountain, 11:30 Pacific)

Duration: 30 to 45 minutes

Prerequisite: Must be taken concurrently with Biology with Dr. Hamilton

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested Credit: 1 full semester Biology Lab

Fee: $37 if you register on or before July 15, 2020. $57 after July 15 for all LAB classes. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $20 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Instructor: Christine Hamilton, PhD

Course Description: There will be 7 labs that are explicitly aligned with the Biology Part One classes. Biology Part One Labs are to be performed with minimum equipment and will consist of common household supplies. A list will be provided in the syllabus.

Course Outline:

• Week 1 Osmosis Lab – In this investigation, we will use a hen’s fresh egg to determine what happens during osmosis and diffusion across membranes.

• Week 2 Fermentation – We will set up a fermentation in a closed system and capture the generated carbon dioxide to carbonate root beer.

• Week 3 Mitosis Flip Book – We are drawing our own, moving cell division!

• Week 4 Punnett Square – Applying our knowledge of phenotypes and genotypes to complete a worksheet.

• Week 5 Genetic Match – Students will determine the presence of certain high-frequency traits in themselves and their family members.

• Week 6 DNA Extraction – We will be creating a mixture to extract DNA from a strawberry!

• Week 7 M&M Lab – Activity to simulate the process of radioactive decay and to illustrate the concept of half-life.

Course Materials: LAB booklet for purchase under $20. Ordering information will be available by July 1, 2020. The same LAB booklet will be used for both semesters.

Homework: All work is done in class, or students can opt to perform labs at home after class.

Make your writing strong & clear- and master the most critical foundations needed for excellent high school writing. Take the 9-1 course with this course to gain a full semester’s credit of writing.

Special notes: Due to the popularity of this course, it is offered during five time slots in the fall. Choose the slot that works best for you.

This is the second of a 4-part series. Continue with the HS 9 series for a full year of Writing.

Total Classes: 8

Class Dates and Starting Times:

Wednesdays, 1:00 PM (Noon Central 11:00 Mountain 10:00 Pacific)

October 21 to December 16, 2020. (No class Nov. 25)

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: Required: Writing Essentials 1: Essential Punctuation and Grammar I (HS 9-1). Prerequisite can be taken either live or through Unlimited Access. Alternative to prerequisite: a passing assessment from the Aquinas Writing Advantage Assessment service,https://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/writing-evaluations.

Suggested Grade Level: 9th grade: however, all students are welcome.

Suggested Credit: ½ semester Writing or English. Combine with High School Writing Essentials 1 (HS 9-1) for a full semester.

Instructors: Sharon Hamric-Weis, BSEd, JD

Fee: $177 on or before July 15, 2020. $197 after July 15 for all 8 classes. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $20 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Course Description: In this key foundational course, gain the skills that make writing strong and clear, lacking nothing—to articulate ideas well in writing for all of high-school-level work. The most important foundations of high school writing are introduced and discussed, and students learn the keys to perfecting strong sentences and paragraphs learn nine basic forms of rhetoric focus on linear academic writing for a purpose practice transitions and connectives, parallelism, paraphrasing, and summary review punctuation as it influences excellence in writing (comma, semicolon, colon, and dash use) learn how to recognize and correct common grammar struggles understand the characteristics of an effective introduction, body, and conclusion learn prewriting, drafting, and editing skills and practice sculpting a piece of writing with direction, receiving specific feedback from the instructor.

Course Outline:

• Class 1: Audience, purpose, and word choice

• Class 2: Perfecting strong sentence and paragraph construction

• Class 3: Nine forms of rhetoric (and what they have to do with great writing)

• Class 4: Linear writing for a purpose: more strong sentences and paragraphs

• Class 5: How to effectively use transitions/connectives and parallelism

• Class 6: Punctuation and excellent writing: the comma, colon, semicolon, and dash conquering common grammar struggles

• Class 7: The introduction, body, and conclusion prewriting for success

• Class 8: Drafting for success editing and polishing your writing

Course Materials:

• Simplified Writing 101: Top Secrets for College Success, by Erin Brown Conroy: Buy the hard copy of the book here: http://amzn.to/2FMCose OR, buy the Kindle version of the book here (Download the FREE Kindle app to easily read on your computer, tablet, or mobile device): www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00B7AB90W/catholictreas-20

• Word 2007 or later version or the ability to convert a document to a Word-compatible document. If you do not own Microsoft Word 2007 or a later version, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.

Homework: Students will have weekly writing assignments with grading and direct feedback from the instructor. Expect an estimated five hours per week for homework (outside of class time) that includes reading, writing, and responding to feedback.

Make your writing strong & clear- and master the most critical foundations needed for excellent high school writing. Take the 9-1 course with this course to gain a full semester’s credit of writing.

Special notes: Due to the popularity of this course, it is offered during five time slots in the fall. Choose the slot that works best for you.

This is the second of a 4-part series. Continue with the HS 9 series for a full year of Writing.

Total Classes: 8

Class Dates and Starting Times:

Wednesdays, 5:30 PM (4:30 Central 3:30 Mountain 2:30 Pacific)

October 21 to December 16, 2020. (No class Nov. 25)

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: Required: Writing Essentials 1: Essential Punctuation and Grammar I (HS 9-1). Prerequisite can be taken either live or through Unlimited Access. Alternative to prerequisite: a passing assessment from the Aquinas Writing Advantage Assessment service,https://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/writing-evaluations.

Suggested Grade Level: 9th grade: however, all students are welcome.

Suggested Credit: ½ semester Writing or English. Combine with High School Writing Essentials 1 (HS 9-1) for a full semester.

Instructors:Nick Wilson

Fee: $177 on orbefore July 15, 2020. $197 after July 15 for all 8 classes. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $20 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Course Description: In this key foundational course, gain the skills that make writing strong and clear, lacking nothing—to articulate ideas well in writing for all of high-school-level work. The most important foundations of high school writing are introduced and discussed, and students learn the keys to perfecting strong sentences and paragraphs learn nine basic forms of rhetoric focus on linear academic writing for a purpose practice transitions and connectives, parallelism, paraphrasing, and summary review punctuation as it influences excellence in writing (comma, semicolon, colon, and dash use) learn how to recognize and correct common grammar struggles understand the characteristics of an effective introduction, body, and conclusion learn prewriting, drafting, and editing skills and practice sculpting a piece of writing with direction, receiving specific feedback from the instructor.

Course Outline:

• Class 1: Audience, purpose, and word choice

• Class 2: Perfecting strong sentence and paragraph construction

• Class 3: Nine forms of rhetoric (and what they have to do with great writing)

• Class 4: Linear writing for a purpose: more strong sentences and paragraphs

• Class 5: How to effectively use transitions/connectives and parallelism

• Class 6: Punctuation and excellent writing: the comma, colon, semicolon, and dash conquering common grammar struggles

• Class 7: The introduction, body, and conclusion prewriting for success

• Class 8: Drafting for success editing and polishing your writing

Course Materials:

• Simplified Writing 101: Top Secrets for College Success, by Erin Brown Conroy: Buy the hard copy of the book here: http://amzn.to/2FMCose OR, buy the Kindle version of the book here (Download the FREE Kindle app to easily read on your computer, tablet, or mobile device): www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00B7AB90W/catholictreas-20

• Word 2007 or later version or the ability to convert a document to a Word-compatible document. If you do not own Microsoft Word 2007 or a later version, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.

Homework: Students will have weekly writing assignments with grading and direct feedback from the instructor. Expect an estimated five hours per week for homework (outside of class time) that includes reading, writing, and responding to feedback.

Make your writing strong & clear- and master the most critical foundations needed for excellent high school writing. Take the 9-1 course with this course to gain a full semester’s credit of writing.

Special notes: Due to the popularity of this course, it is offered during five time slots in the fall. Choose the slot that works best for you.

This is the second of a 4-part series. Continue with the HS 9 series for a full year of Writing.

Total Classes: 8

Class Dates and Starting Times:

Thursdays, 10:00 AM Eastern (9:00 Central 8:00 Mountain 7:00 Pacific)

October 22 to December 17, 2020. (No class Nov. 26)

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: Required: Writing Essentials 1: Essential Punctuation and Grammar I (HS 9-1). Prerequisite can be taken either live or through Unlimited Access. Alternative to prerequisite: a passing assessment from the Aquinas Writing Advantage Assessment service,https://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/writing-evaluations.

Suggested Grade Level: 9th grade: however, all students are welcome.

Suggested Credit: ½ semester Writing or English. Combine with High School Writing Essentials 1 (HS 9-1) for a full semester.

Instructors:Nick Wilson

Fee: $177 on orbefore July 15, 2020. $197 after July 15 for all 8 classes. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $20 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Course Description: In this key foundational course, gain the skills that make writing strong and clear, lacking nothing—to articulate ideas well in writing for all of high-school-level work. The most important foundations of high school writing are introduced and discussed, and students learn the keys to perfecting strong sentences and paragraphs learn nine basic forms of rhetoric focus on linear academic writing for a purpose practice transitions and connectives, parallelism, paraphrasing, and summary review punctuation as it influences excellence in writing (comma, semicolon, colon, and dash use) learn how to recognize and correct common grammar struggles understand the characteristics of an effective introduction, body, and conclusion learn prewriting, drafting, and editing skills and practice sculpting a piece of writing with direction, receiving specific feedback from the instructor.

Course Outline:

• Class 1: Audience, purpose, and word choice

• Class 2: Perfecting strong sentence and paragraph construction

• Class 3: Nine forms of rhetoric (and what they have to do with great writing)

• Class 4: Linear writing for a purpose: more strong sentences and paragraphs

• Class 5: How to effectively use transitions/connectives and parallelism

• Class 6: Punctuation and excellent writing: the comma, colon, semicolon, and dash conquering common grammar struggles

• Class 7: The introduction, body, and conclusion prewriting for success

• Class 8: Drafting for success editing and polishing your writing

Course Materials:

• Simplified Writing 101: Top Secrets for College Success, by Erin Brown Conroy: Buy the hard copy of the book here:http://amzn.to/2FMCoseOR,buy the Kindle version of the book here(Download the FREE Kindle app to easily read on your computer, tablet, or mobile device):www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00B7AB90W/catholictreas-20

• Word 2007 or later version or the ability to convert a document to a Word-compatible document. If you do not own Microsoft Word 2007 or a later version, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.

Homework: Students will have weekly writing assignments with grading and direct feedback from the instructor. Expect an estimated five hours per week for homework (outside of class time) that includes reading, writing, and responding to feedback.

Make your writing strong & clear- and master the most critical foundations needed for excellent high school writing. Take the 9-1 course with this course to gain a full semester’s credit of writing.

Special notes: Due to the popularity of this course, it is offered during five time slots in the fall. Choose the slot that works best for you.

This is the second of a 4-part series. Continue with the HS 9 series for a full year of Writing.

Total Classes: 8

Class Dates and Starting Times:

Mondays, 11:30 AM Eastern (10:30 Central 9:30 Mountain 8:30 Pacific)

October 26 to December 14, 2020

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: Required: Writing Essentials 1: Essential Punctuation and Grammar I (HS 9-1). Prerequisite can be taken either live or through Unlimited Access. Alternative to prerequisite: a passing assessment from the Aquinas Writing Advantage Assessment service, https://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/writing-evaluations.

Suggested Grade Level: 9th grade: however, all students are welcome.

Suggested Credit: ½ semester Writing or English. Combine with High School Writing Essentials 1 (HS 9-1) for a full semester.

Instructors: Sharon Hamric-Weis, BSEd, JD

Fee: $177 on or before July 15, 2020. $197 after July 15 for all 8 classes. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $20 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Course Description: In this key foundational course, gain the skills that make writing strong and clear, lacking nothing—to articulate ideas well in writing for all of high-school-level work. The most important foundations of high school writing are introduced and discussed, and students learn the keys to perfecting strong sentences and paragraphs learn nine basic forms of rhetoric focus on linear academic writing for a purpose practice transitions and connectives, parallelism, paraphrasing, and summary review punctuation as it influences excellence in writing (comma, semicolon, colon, and dash use) learn how to recognize and correct common grammar struggles understand the characteristics of an effective introduction, body, and conclusion learn prewriting, drafting, and editing skills and practice sculpting a piece of writing with direction, receiving specific feedback from the instructor.

Course Outline:

• Class 1: Audience, purpose, and word choice

• Class 2: Perfecting strong sentence and paragraph construction

• Class 3: Nine forms of rhetoric (and what they have to do with great writing)

• Class 4: Linear writing for a purpose: more strong sentences and paragraphs

• Class 5: How to effectively use transitions/connectives and parallelism

• Class 6: Punctuation and excellent writing: the comma, colon, semicolon, and dash conquering common grammar struggles

• Class 7: The introduction, body, and conclusion prewriting for success

• Class 8: Drafting for success editing and polishing your writing

Course Materials:

• Simplified Writing 101: Top Secrets for College Success, by Erin Brown Conroy: Buy the hard copy of the book here:  http://amzn.to/2FMCose OR, buy the Kindle version of the book here (Download the FREE Kindle app to easily read on your computer, tablet, or mobile device): www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00B7AB90W/catholictreas-20

• Word 2007 or later version or the ability to convert a document to a Word-compatible document. If you do not own Microsoft Word 2007 or a later version, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.

Homework: Students will have weekly writing assignments with grading and direct feedback from the instructor. Expect an estimated five hours per week for homework (outside of class time) that includes reading, writing, and responding to feedback.