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.

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, 1:00 PM Eastern (Noon Central 11:00 Mountain 10:00 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: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, 2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 Central 12:30 Mountain 11:30 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: Nick Wilson

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.

Join the famous actor Kevin O’Brien as he dresses as Dante and brings The Divine Comedy to life. Learn the literature and background of this classic work in a high-interest, theatrical presentation with readings and quizzes to help solidify your high school student’s understanding.

Total Classes: 6

Class Dates: Thursdays, October 29 to December 10, 2020. (No class Nov. 26)

Starting Time: 1:00 Eastern (Noon Central 11:00 Mountain 10:00 Pacific)

Duration: 55 Minutes

Prerequisite: None. However, An Introduction to Dante’s Divine Comedy, taught by Joseph Pearce, which meets in the first half of the Fall 2020 semester, is recommended.

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th Grade

Suggested Credit: ½ semester Literature or Medieval Literature. For a full semester add another course.

Fee: $97 if you register on or before July 15, 2020. $117 after July 15 for all 6 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: Kevin O’Brien

Course Description: For most students, Dante’s Divine Comedy is hardly a comedy because it’s so hard! In this course, Kevin O’Brien, who portrays Dante Alighieri in the one-man show, “The Divine Dante,” will bring The Divine Comedy to life as Dante himself conducts most of the classes! This course will be interactive engagement at its best! Learn Dante from Dante!

Course Outline:

1. Introduction, as led by Mr. O’Brien

2. Dante on Vita Nuova and Beatrice

3. Dante on Canto 19 from The Inferno

4. Dante on Canto 31 from Purgatorio

5. Dante on a Canto 23 from Paradiso

6. Review, as led by Mr. O’Brien

Course Materials: We will read selections from a variety of translations, with PDF’s provided free by the instructor

Homework: The homework for each class will include the reading assignment for the week (approximately one hour) and frequent quizzes.

Grow closer to our Blessed Mother, who leads us to Jesus, as you enjoy this 5-week mini course focusing on the Rosary and the Seven Sorrows of Mary-  and help your student stay on the path to a holier life. All middle and high School students are welcome!

Total Classes: 5

Class Dates: Mondays, November 2 to November 30, 2020.

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

Duration: 50 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 7th to 12th grade

Suggested High School Credit: 1/3 semester Theology

Fee: $67 if you register on or before July 15, 2020. $87 after July 15 for all 26 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: In his 18th century masterpiece, True Devotion to Mary, St. Louis de Montfort tells us that the quickest, easiest, and most efficacious path to Jesus is through the Blessed Virgin Mary. In her 1917 appearances at Fatima, Mary repeatedly urged us to pray the Rosary daily. Since Mary is the best path to Jesus and since she herself insists on daily recitation of the Rosary, Fr. Ed Broom has developed this powerful course culminating in a “Total Consecration” to Jesus through Mary by focusing on the Mysteries of the Rosary and the Seven Sorrows of Mary – and all it takes is a few moments each day! During the 5 weeks leading up to the consecration on the Feast of The Immaculate Conception (December 8), students will spend time each day praying and meditating on either a mystery of the rosary or one of the seven sorrows of Mary.

Course Outline:

• Class 1 – The Joyful Mysteries

• Class 2 – The Luminous Mysteries

• Class 3 – The Sorrowful Mysteries

• Class 4 – The Glorious Mysteries

• Class 5 – The Seven Sorrows of Mary

Course Materials: Students will need to purchase Father Broom’s book,Total Consecration Through the Mysteries of the Rosary ISBN 978-1-622824-502. Additionally, they will need a journal to note their reflections, and optionally access to YouTube for some video reflections from Father Broom and Monsignor John Esseff.

Homework: Each day, students can expect to spend between 15 to 60 minutes praying the meditations and journaling.

Help your middle school student learn how to skillfully use specific and powerful parts of speech, transitions, linear writing, and more in this must-have foundational writing course. Take the 6/7-1 course with this course to gain a full semester’s credit of writing. 

Special Notes: Due to the popularity of this course, it is scheduled during three time slots in the fall semester. Choose the slot that works best for you.

This is the second of a 4-part series. Continue with the MS 6/7 series for a full year of Writing.

Total Classes: 6

Class Dates and Starting Times:

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

November 2 to December 14, 2020. (No class Nov. 23)

Duration: 50 minutes

Prerequisite: Writing Essentials 1: Punctuation & Grammar I (MS 6/7-1) or written permission from the instructor. You may take the prerequisite course live or in Unlimited Access.

Suggested Grade Level: 7th or accelerated 6th grade

Suggested Credit: ½ semester Writing or English. Precede with 6/7-1 for a full semester credit.To make a full and complete year of middle school writing, sign up for the 6/7-3 and 6/7-4 courses that follow this course.

Fee: $127 if you register on or before July 15, 2020. $147 after July 15 for all 6 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: Bonnie Donlon

Course Description: This is an essential writing course for all middle school students — to make sure that your student has strong middle school writing foundations in place. Your student will learn how to create well-crafted sentences and paragraphs — including absolute “must-have” knowledge and practice for the use of nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions and prepositional phrases, and compound sentence structures. Your student will also cover capitalization, end punctuation, and the use of quoted material. Even if your student has learned the composition of a sentence and paragraph in elementary materials, this course uses higher-level vocabulary and structures for writing in middle school. This course can help your student finally master the details that are holding him or her back from writing well. 

Course Outline:

• Class 1: Nouns, verbs, and capitalization in sentences

• Class 2: Adjectives, adverbs, and end punctuation in sentences

• Class 3: Prepositions, prepositional phrases, and compound sentence structures

• Class 4: Using quotes in dialogue and academic writing

• Class 5: Transitions and connectives in sentences

• Class 6: Putting it all together: Transitions and linear sentences in paragraph writing

Course Materials: Course materials are provided free of charge as PDF files. 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: Estimated one to three hours per week for homework outside of class time, depending on the student’s ability. All writing assignments are graded by the instructor.

Do you want your student to excel in ALL of learning? Then join this FREE key course and learn the must-have, how-to skills to help your student in every course including how to take notes, how to listen and read actively for higher comprehension, how to effectively take tests in a timed setting, and more.

Special Notes:Homeschool Connections offers this course free as it lays a foundation of study skills to help students be successful in all of their school courses. Get ready for the school year now and register for this vital four-week course

Due to the popularity of this course, it is offered four times over the summer. Choose the dates and times that work best for your family.

Total Classes: 4

Class Dates and Times:

Tuesdays, November 3 to November 24, 2020

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

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 7th to 11th grade

Fee: FREE

Instructor: Lisa Mladinich

Course Description: In this course, your student can gain the absolute must-have expertise to become strong, confident, and able to study for any high school level course with success. Learn how to listen and comprehend more how to effectively take notes how to read a text for its key ideas how to study for tests how to approach textbooks in a way that cuts study time in half how to more effectively comprehend what you read and hear and what you need to do, to score well on tests. This four-session course is absolutely FREE so give your student what’s needed to succeed!

Course Outline:

• Class 1: Active listening and how to take notes effectively

• Class 2: Active reading and how to study effectively

• Class 3: Critical reading skills for comprehension

• Class 4: Test-taking in a timed setting

Course Materials: All materials are provided free from the instructor.

Homework: This is a lecture course with approximately 2 hours of work per class (reading and automated quizzes).

Help your middle school student understand the top five essay types- and learn the must-have skills of writing the introduction, hook, thesis, draft, and outline as you revise for excellence. Take the 7/8-1 course with this course to gain a full semester’s credit of writing.

Special Notes: This course, a continuation of the Simplified Writing series for 7/8 students, is scheduled during three time slots in the fall semester.

This is the second of a 4-part series. Continue with the MS 7/8 series for a full year of Writing.

Total Classes: 6, plus two recorded lectures

Class Dates and Starting Times:

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

November 3 to December 15, 2020. (No class Dec. 8)

Duration: 50 minutes

Prerequisite: Simplified Writing For Middle School 1: Foundations of Composition I (MS 7/8-1) students may take the requisite courses live or in Unlimited Access.

Suggested Grade Level: 8th or accelerated 7th grade

Suggested Credit: ½ semester Writing or English. Precede with 7/8-1 for a full semester credit.

Fee: $177 if you register on or before July 15, 2020. $197 after July 15, 2020 for all 6 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: Robin Conley, MFA

Course Description: In this writing course, your middle school student will use the foundational writing skills learned in the Simplified Writing 1 (7/8-1) course to put his or her knowledge and skills into critical practice, with specific feedback and coaching regarding how your student's writing can improve. During the course, your student will brainstorm and craft the outline of an essay and a short paper, while learning how to write seven types of “hooks,” how to master the five parts of a thesis statement, and how to connect sentences in an essay or paper’s introduction. Attention will be given to writing with a Christian worldview.

Course Outline:

• Class 1: Writing structure and skill: practicing the introduction, hook, and thesis

• Class 2: Writing structure and skill: practicing outlines and the conclusion/concluding statements

• Class 3: Writing an essay: rough drafts

• Class 4: Writing a paper: five types of papers & practicing the introduction, hook, and thesis

• Class 5: Writing a paper: practicing outlines and concluding statements revising an essay

• Class 6: Writing a paper: rough drafts editing an essay

Course Materials: Word 2007 or later version. All other materials are included at this time. As new materials become available you will be notified.

Homework: Weekly writing assignments, with grading and direct feedback from the instructor. Estimated three to four hours per week for homework outside of class time, depending on the student’s ability.