Empty
Welcome
Visitor
Browse Courses
![]()
Sort by:
Default
![]() With this short creative writing course, your 3rd through 6th grader will compose a short creative writing piece based on a historical event and develop a joy of writing. Special notes: This course, which can be taken with the Grade School Unit Study Program or by itself, is offered three times during the school year: twice in the fall and once in the spring. Students can sign up for any or all courses. Those who sign up for both courses (fall and spring) receive additional instructor feedback on a new historical fiction work in the second course. Students who take a second course are also encouraged to complete a higher level of work. The last class meeting is optional. Total classes: 6 Class dates: Mondays January 25 to March 8, 2021. No class Feb. 15. Starting time: 12:00 PM (Noon) Eastern (11:00 Central 10:00 Mountain 9:00 Pacific) Duration: 40 minutes Prerequisite: Students should be able to easily compose 10 sentences when given a topic, preferably in their own handwriting. Parents can choose to take narration while the student composes the writing aloud. Basic elementary school punctuation mastery is recommended (or parents can edit with students prior to submission.) The final story submission will need to be polished and typed. Note: Many students can invent language at a skill level beyond their ability to handwrite or type their work in a reasonable amount of time. This course can work for the child who struggles with handwriting and/or typing if the child’s oral language skills are ready for the class and parents are willing to write/type for the child. Parent Involvement: Parents should expect to be heavily involved in their student’s work. Skills will be taught each week, and then students will complete homework and submit for feedback. Timeliness of submissions is crucial for students to get timely feedback and stay with the rhythm of the course. Most students will need parental guidance and accountability for class time each week and for homework. Suggested grade level: 3rd to 6th grade Suggested credit: ¼ semester Creative Writing Fee: $99 if you register on or before November 15, 2020, for all 6 classes. $119 after Nov. 15, 2020. (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: Jackie de Laveaga, M.Ed. Course description: Learn how to write a historical fiction story! Mrs. de Laveaga will coach students through a process for writing a story based on a historical event. After five to ten minutes of instruction in a story’s character development, setting, conflict, and resolution (as it relates to the historical era), over five weeks, students will produce a polished story as an end project for the course. Story form will also be discussed, in relationship to the joy of writing and storytelling. The course offers three levels of assignment completion, so parents can decide which level is appropriate for their student. As a bonus, students will be instructed on how to place their story into a homemade book form, so they can add the book to the family library or “gift” the book to someone special. Course outline: Week 1: Setting the Story Stage (hero, villain, and friendly characters era, event, and factual history) Week 2: Writing with the 10-sentence story skeleton template Week 3: Continuing to write developing character details and creating realistic resolutions Break: Students will revise their 10-sentence story over break and begin writing the story Week 4: Finish writing the story editing your final copy Week 5: Preparing your story for “homemade publication” illustration options Week 6: Online book party: Students will be able to come on camera and read a selection of their book. Course materials: All materials are provided free by the instructor. Homework: Students will read course material, submit the assignment for each step of the course, and then submit a final project for teacher grading. Students will spend an average of 2 hours per week on homework in addition to class attendance. More![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Integrate several subjects with this project-based unit study to bring the joy of learning right to your living room. Introduction Welcome to the Grade School Unit Study Program for 3rd through 6th grade students designed to simplify and streamline your home education experience. Through an integrated literature-based curriculum, your family receives clearly laid out directions for the parent(s), hands-on project-based activities for students, and a once-a-week touch-base LIVE class where discussion, sharing, and learning takes place. How it Works Each full year is segmented into three parts occurring in the fall, winter, and spring incorporating History, Science, Language Arts, Art, and Religion to learn all subjects together in a unit that coordinates and dovetails into one harmonized year of learning.
Your Program Description The Four-Year Sequence The entire program spans a four-year sequence based on the four volumes of TAN Books’ History series, The Story of Civilization. The following years of study can be taken independently or in any order. Ancient History (Volume 1, Year One) Medieval History (Volume 2, Year Two) The Making of the Modern World (Volume 3, Year Three) US History (Volume 4, Year Four) This School Year: Medieval History Your 2020/2021 Grade School Unit Study Program focuses on Medieval History.
Coordination with the Middle and High School Programs Coordinate Learning, Simplify Teaching Your older students can also get LIVE, interactive courses here at Homeschool Connections courses that cover the same historical era as this program, so your elementary through high school students can study the same four-year historical sequence together. Visit “The Four Year Cycle” article for more information on matching courses here: http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.blogspot.com/search/label/4-Year%20Cycle. Your Year-Long, Three-Part Grade School Unit Study: Medieval History The yearlong unit study is taught in three parts: Part One in the Fall Semester (13 weeks) Part Two in the Spring Semester (12 weeks) and a short Part Three in May, 2021 (4 weeks). Sign your children up for all three parts, to create a complete year of learning.
The “Flipped Classroom” The Grade School Unit Study Program uses a “flipped classroom” approach in a four-day-week course of study: families watch teacher-created videos and work together on interactive lessons (guided materials and instruction). In addition to home learning, the once-a-week LIVE online class “becomes the place to work through problems, advance concepts, and engage in collaborative learning” (The Flipped Classroom, https://www.educationnext.org/the-flipped-classroom/). Daily Activities Families are provided with daily lessons, checklists, videos, and other resources and learning materials. Each week starts with a LIVE, twenty-five-minute online class meeting for parents and students together with the instructor. Class Meetings During each weekly class meeting, students discuss the past week’s readings, play games to reinforce the week’s learning, and have the opportunity to share project work and poetry recitation on camera. Your Class Times and Schedule All LIVE, interactive classes meet on Mondays. Parents choose from one of the three LIVE time segments offered: 9:00 AM Eastern (8:00 Central 7:00 Mountain 6:00 Pacific) Part Two Spring 2021 Medieval History Unit Study (Part 2 of 3) (12 weeks) Class Dates: Classes begin January 25, 2021, and continue through April 26, 2021 No class February 15 or March 29, 2021. Multiple students per family: Siblings can watch the sessions and complete the automated quizzes FREE. However, only enrolled students may submit and receive teacher grading on select assignments. To receive teacher grading for additional students, enroll each additional student independently. LIVE Class Duration: 25 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of student sharing on camera (off recording) Fee: $259 if you register on or before November 15, 2020. $279 after Nov. 15 for all 12 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.) Subjects Your List of Subjects Scheduled for the Four School Days (Per Week) * History (45-60 minutes per day) * Literature (45-60 minutes per day) * Greek & Latin Roots (10-15 minutes per day) * Poetry Memorization (10-15 minutes per day) * Creative Writing (60-90 minutes per week) * Science (60-90 minutes per week) * Solo Reading (time varies per family choice suggested 30-60 minutes per day) * Project Work (time varies per family choice suggested 60-90 minutes per week) Core Texts The same texts are used for all three parts of the series.
Your Book List Purchase or borrow the following books for the school year (required): 1. The Story of Civilization (TSoC), Volume 2: The Medieval World, by Phillip Campbell (ISBN-10: 1505105749 ISBN-13: 978-1505105742) (All Year) ($10-$22). Note: Supplementary TSoC Student and Teacher texts and Audio/Video products are optional. We recommend adding supplementary texts (as well as audio and video materials) as tools for further engagement. TAN Books offers families enrolled in the Grade School Unit Study Program a 40% discount on all supplementary materials. Please email instructor Jackie deLaveaga at delaveaga.hsc@gmail.com for the coupon code. 2. The Story Book of Science, by Jean Henri Fabre (ISBN-10: 1599150255 ISBN-13: 978-1599150253) (All Year) ($0 [Kindle] to $15). 3. Insect Adventures, by Jean Henri Fabre (ISBN-10: 1500196452 ISBN-13: 978-1500196455) (All Year) ($2-$12) Note: For an advanced reader in the family, consider adding Fabre’s Book of Insects to the family reading (optional and will not be on the schedule). 4. Once Upon a Time Saints, by Ethel Pochocki (ISBN-10: 1883937159 ISBN-13: 978-1883937) (All Year) ($5-$12). 5. More Once Upon a Time Saints, by Ethel Pochocki (ISBN-10: 1883937345 ISBN-13: 978-1883937348) (All Year) ($5-$12). 6. English from the Roots Up, Volume 2, by Joegil Lundquist (ASIN: B00E322V94). Any new or used volume works. Families will also buy or make the study flashcards for this book. (All Year) ($15+).
7. Saint Benedict, by Mary Fabyan Windeatt (ISBN-10: 0895554275 ISBN-13: 978-0895554277) (Fall 2020) ($6-$12). 8. If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Becket, by Barbara Willard (ISBN-10: 1883937493 ISBN-13: 978-1883937492) (Spring 2021) ($6-$15). 9. Son of Charlemagne, by Barbara Willard (ISBN: 9781883937300 ISBN-10:1883937302 (Fall 2020) ($5-$15).
10. Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Story of “The Dumb Ox,” by Mary Fabyan Windeatt (ISBN: 9780895554208) (Spring 2021-Part 3) ($5-$9).
11. Francis and Clare, Saints of Assisi, by Helen Walker Homan (ISBN-10: 0898705177 ISBN-13: 978-0898705171) (Spring 2021) ($2-$9). Pictorial Encyclopedias Families will use pictorial encyclopedias throughout the year that include plants, animals, and insects. Because students will be pulling out key facts from the encyclopedias for their work, and they will need ample facts from which to choose, please avoid using primary level books and choose books at a reading level above the 6th grade. We recommend the following three books, as low cost, high interest options: 12. Reader’s Digest North American Wildlife (ISBN-13: 978-0895771025 ISBN-10: 9780895771025) (All Year) ($5-$35). 13. Animals: A Visual Encyclopedia (ISBN-10: 0756691702 ISBN-13: 978-0756691707) Any used volume will work. (All Year) ($6-$16). 14. Smithsonian Handbooks: Insects (ISBN-10: 0789493926 ISBN-13: 978-0789493927) Any used volume will work. (All Year) ($6-$16). Frequently Asked Questions What role does the parent play? In this unit study program, the parent’s role is to… 1. Schedule and implement the course material into your daily school and home life. 2. Schedule and engage in read-aloud time. 3. Grade some of the materials and work (approximately 30-60 minutes per week, depending on family choice of enrichment activities). 4. Attend one live class session with your student(s) each week.
What’s included in the course? Enrolled families will receive… 1. A weekly checklist of activities and assignments and a timeline template 2. A suggested daily schedule for the four-day school week 3. Short instructional videos to enrich the study of history, science, creative writing, art, and literature 4. A list of optional supplementary books for solo reading for multiple grade levels 5. The weekly submission of assignments, and complete grading of 1-2 assignments by the instructor 6. A LIVE class meeting each week with the instructor to discuss material studied and to offer students an opportunity to share their work and/or recitations on camera (off-recording) What assignments are graded by the teacher? Enrolled students will have one to two assignments per week that are submitted for a grade. The assignment type alternates between project work (various subjects), auto-graded quizzes, and Language Arts assignments.
Questions? We’re happy to help! Simply email homeschoolconnections@gmail.com, or call Toll Free, 1-888-372-4757, and we’ll get right back to you with answers! We look forward to seeing you in class! More![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Integrate several subjects with this project-based unit study to bring the joy of learning right to your living room. Introduction Welcome to the Grade School Unit Study Program for 3rd through 6th grade students designed to simplify and streamline your home education experience. Through an integrated literature-based curriculum, your family receives clearly laid out directions for the parent(s), hands-on project-based activities for students, and a once-a-week touch-base LIVE class where discussion, sharing, and learning takes place. How it Works Each full year is segmented into three parts occurring in the fall, winter, and spring incorporating History, Science, Language Arts, Art, and Religion to learn all subjects together in a unit that coordinates and dovetails into one harmonized year of learning.
Your Program Description The Four-Year Sequence The entire program spans a four-year sequence based on the four volumes of TAN Books’ History series, The Story of Civilization. The following years of study can be taken independently or in any order. Ancient History (Volume 1, Year One) Medieval History (Volume 2, Year Two) The Making of the Modern World (Volume 3, Year Three) US History (Volume 4, Year Four) This School Year: Medieval History Your 2020/2021 Grade School Unit Study Program focuses on Medieval History.
Coordination with the Middle and High School Programs Coordinate Learning, Simplify Teaching Your older students can also get LIVE, interactive courses here at Homeschool Connections courses that cover the same historical era as this program, so your elementary through high school students can study the same four-year historical sequence together. Visit “The Four Year Cycle” article for more information on matching courses here: http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.blogspot.com/search/label/4-Year%20Cycle. Your Year-Long, Three-Part Grade School Unit Study: Medieval History The yearlong unit study is taught in three parts: Part One in the Fall Semester (13 weeks) Part Two in the Spring Semester (12 weeks) and a short Part Three in May, 2021 (4 weeks). Sign your children up for all three parts, to create a complete year of learning.
The “Flipped Classroom” The Grade School Unit Study Program uses a “flipped classroom” approach in a four-day-week course of study: families watch teacher-created videos and work together on interactive lessons (guided materials and instruction). In addition to home learning, the once-a-week LIVE online class “becomes the place to work through problems, advance concepts, and engage in collaborative learning” (The Flipped Classroom, https://www.educationnext.org/the-flipped-classroom/). Daily Activities Families are provided with daily lessons, checklists, videos, and other resources and learning materials. Each week starts with a LIVE, twenty-five-minute online class meeting for parents and students together with the instructor. Class Meetings During each weekly class meeting, students discuss the past week’s readings, play games to reinforce the week’s learning, and have the opportunity to share project work and poetry recitation on camera. Your Class Times and Schedule All LIVE, interactive classes meet on Mondays. Parents choose from one of the three LIVE time segments offered: 11:00 AM Eastern (10:00 Central 9:00 Mountain 8:00 Pacific) Part Two Spring 2021 Medieval History Unit Study (Part 2 of 3) (12 weeks) Class Dates: Classes begin January 25, 2021, and continue through April 26, 2021 No class February 15 or March 29, 2021. Multiple students per family: Siblings can watch the sessions and complete the automated quizzes FREE. However, only enrolled students may submit and receive teacher grading on select assignments. To receive teacher grading for additional students, enroll each additional student independently. LIVE Class Duration: 25 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of student sharing on camera (off recording) Fee: $259 if you register on or before November 15, 2020. $279 after Nov. 15 for all 12 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.) Subjects Your List of Subjects Scheduled for the Four School Days (Per Week) * History (45-60 minutes per day) * Literature (45-60 minutes per day) * Greek & Latin Roots (10-15 minutes per day) * Poetry Memorization (10-15 minutes per day) * Creative Writing (60-90 minutes per week) * Science (60-90 minutes per week) * Solo Reading (time varies per family choice suggested 30-60 minutes per day) * Project Work (time varies per family choice suggested 60-90 minutes per week) Core Texts The same texts are used for all three parts of the series.
Your Book List Purchase or borrow the following books for the school year (required): 1. The Story of Civilization (TSoC), Volume 2: The Medieval World, by Phillip Campbell (ISBN-10: 1505105749 ISBN-13: 978-1505105742) (All Year) ($10-$22). Note: Supplementary TSoC Student and Teacher texts and Audio/Video products are optional. We recommend adding supplementary texts (as well as audio and video materials) as tools for further engagement. TAN Books offers families enrolled in the Grade School Unit Study Program a 40% discount on all supplementary materials. Please email instructor Jackie deLaveaga at delaveaga.hsc@gmail.com for the coupon code. 2. The Story Book of Science, by Jean Henri Fabre (ISBN-10: 1599150255 ISBN-13: 978-1599150253) (All Year) ($0 [Kindle] to $15). 3. Insect Adventures, by Jean Henri Fabre (ISBN-10: 1500196452 ISBN-13: 978-1500196455) (All Year) ($2-$12) Note: For an advanced reader in the family, consider adding Fabre’s Book of Insects to the family reading (optional and will not be on the schedule). 4. Once Upon a Time Saints, by Ethel Pochocki (ISBN-10: 1883937159 ISBN-13: 978-1883937) (All Year) ($5-$12). 5. More Once Upon a Time Saints, by Ethel Pochocki (ISBN-10: 1883937345 ISBN-13: 978-1883937348) (All Year) ($5-$12). 6. English from the Roots Up, Volume 2, by Joegil Lundquist (ASIN: B00E322V94). Any new or used volume works. Families will also buy or make the study flashcards for this book. (All Year) ($15+).
7. Saint Benedict, by Mary Fabyan Windeatt (ISBN-10: 0895554275 ISBN-13: 978-0895554277) (Fall 2020) ($6-$12). 8. If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Becket, by Barbara Willard (ISBN-10: 1883937493 ISBN-13: 978-1883937492) (Spring 2021) ($6-$15). 9. Son of Charlemagne, by Barbara Willard (ISBN: 9781883937300 ISBN-10:1883937302 (Fall 2020) ($5-$15).
10. Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Story of “The Dumb Ox,” by Mary Fabyan Windeatt (ISBN: 9780895554208) (Spring 2021-Part 3) ($5-$9).
11. Francis and Clare, Saints of Assisi, by Helen Walker Homan (ISBN-10: 0898705177 ISBN-13: 978-0898705171) (Spring 2021) ($2-$9). Pictorial Encyclopedias Families will use pictorial encyclopedias throughout the year that include plants, animals, and insects. Because students will be pulling out key facts from the encyclopedias for their work, and they will need ample facts from which to choose, please avoid using primary level books and choose books at a reading level above the 6th grade. We recommend the following three books, as low cost, high interest options: 12. Reader’s Digest North American Wildlife (ISBN-13: 978-0895771025 ISBN-10: 9780895771025) (All Year) ($5-$35). 13. Animals: A Visual Encyclopedia (ISBN-10: 0756691702 ISBN-13: 978-0756691707) Any used volume will work. (All Year) ($6-$16). 14. Smithsonian Handbooks: Insects (ISBN-10: 0789493926 ISBN-13: 978-0789493927) Any used volume will work. (All Year) ($6-$16). Frequently Asked Questions What role does the parent play? In this unit study program, the parent’s role is to… 1. Schedule and implement the course material into your daily school and home life. 2. Schedule and engage in read-aloud time. 3. Grade some of the materials and work (approximately 30-60 minutes per week, depending on family choice of enrichment activities). 4. Attend one live class session with your student(s) each week.
What’s included in the course? Enrolled families will receive… 1. A weekly checklist of activities and assignments and a timeline template 2. A suggested daily schedule for the four-day school week 3. Short instructional videos to enrich the study of history, science, creative writing, art, and literature 4. A list of optional supplementary books for solo reading for multiple grade levels 5. The weekly submission of assignments, and complete grading of 1-2 assignments by the instructor 6. A LIVE class meeting each week with the instructor to discuss material studied and to offer students an opportunity to share their work and/or recitations on camera (off-recording) What assignments are graded by the teacher? Enrolled students will have one to two assignments per week that are submitted for a grade. The assignment type alternates between project work (various subjects), auto-graded quizzes, and Language Arts assignments.
Questions? We’re happy to help! Simply email homeschoolconnections@gmail.com, or call Toll Free, 1-888-372-4757, and we’ll get right back to you with answers! We look forward to seeing you in class! More![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Integrate several subjects with this project-based unit study to bring the joy of learning right to your living room. Introduction Welcome to the Grade School Unit Study Program for 3rd through 6th grade students designed to simplify and streamline your home education experience. Through an integrated literature-based curriculum, your family receives clearly laid out directions for the parent(s), hands-on project-based activities for students, and a once-a-week touch-base LIVE class where discussion, sharing, and learning takes place. How it Works Each full year is segmented into three parts occurring in the fall, winter, and spring incorporating History, Science, Language Arts, Art, and Religion to learn all subjects together in a unit that coordinates and dovetails into one harmonized year of learning. Your Program Description The Four-Year Sequence The entire program spans a four-year sequence based on the four volumes of TAN Books’ History series, The Story of Civilization. The following years of study can be taken independently or in any order. Ancient History (Volume 1, Year One) Medieval History (Volume 2, Year Two) The Making of the Modern World (Volume 3, Year Three) US History (Volume 4, Year Four) This School Year: Medieval History Your 2020/2021 Grade School Unit Study Program focuses on Medieval History. Coordination with the Middle and High School Programs Coordinate Learning, Simplify Teaching Your older students can also get LIVE, interactive courses here at Homeschool Connections courses that cover the same historical era as this program, so your elementary through high school students can study the same four-year historical sequence together. Visit “The Four Year Cycle” article for more information on matching courses here: http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.blogspot.com/search/label/4-Year%20Cycle. Your Year-Long, Three-Part Grade School Unit Study: Medieval History The yearlong unit study is taught in three parts: Part One in the Fall Semester (13 weeks) Part Two in the Spring Semester (12 weeks) and a short Part Three in May, 2021 (4 weeks). Sign your children up for all three parts, to create a complete year of learning. The “Flipped Classroom” The Grade School Unit Study Program uses a “flipped classroom” approach in a four-day-week course of study: families watch teacher-created videos and work together on interactive lessons (guided materials and instruction). In addition to home learning, the once-a-week LIVE online class “becomes the place to work through problems, advance concepts, and engage in collaborative learning” (The Flipped Classroom, https://www.educationnext.org/the-flipped-classroom/). Daily Activities Families are provided with daily lessons, checklists, videos, and other resources and learning materials. Each week starts with a LIVE, twenty-five-minute online class meeting for parents and students together with the instructor. Class Meetings During each weekly class meeting, students discuss the past week’s readings, play games to reinforce the week’s learning, and have the opportunity to share project work and poetry recitation on camera. Your Class Times and Schedule All LIVE, interactive classes meet on Mondays. Parents choose from one of the three LIVE time segments offered: 1:00 PM Eastern (Noon Central 11:00 Mountain 10:00 Pacific) Part Two Spring 2021 Medieval History Unit Study (Part 2 of 3) (12 weeks) Class Dates: Classes begin January 25, 2021, and continue through April 26, 2021 No class February 15 or March 29, 2021. Multiple students per family: Siblings can watch the sessions and complete the automated quizzes FREE. However, only enrolled students may submit and receive teacher grading on select assignments. To receive teacher grading for additional students, enroll each additional student independently. LIVE Class Duration: 25 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of student sharing on camera (off recording) Fee: $259 if you register on or before November 15, 2020. $279 after Nov. 15 for all 12 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.) Subjects Your List of Subjects Scheduled for the Four School Days (Per Week) * History (45-60 minutes per day) * Literature (45-60 minutes per day) * Greek & Latin Roots (10-15 minutes per day) * Poetry Memorization (10-15 minutes per day) * Creative Writing (60-90 minutes per week) * Science (60-90 minutes per week) * Solo Reading (time varies per family choice suggested 30-60 minutes per day) * Project Work (time varies per family choice suggested 60-90 minutes per week) Core Texts The same texts are used for all three parts of the series.
Your Book List Purchase or borrow the following books for the school year (required): 1. The Story of Civilization (TSoC), Volume 2: The Medieval World, by Phillip Campbell (ISBN-10: 1505105749 ISBN-13: 978-1505105742) (All Year) ($10-$22). Note: Supplementary TSoC Student and Teacher texts and Audio/Video products are optional. We recommend adding supplementary texts (as well as audio and video materials) as tools for further engagement. TAN Books offers families enrolled in the Grade School Unit Study Program a 40% discount on all supplementary materials. Please email instructor Jackie deLaveaga at delaveaga.hsc@gmail.com for the coupon code. 2. The Story Book of Science, by Jean Henri Fabre (ISBN-10: 1599150255 ISBN-13: 978-1599150253) (All Year) ($0 [Kindle] to $15). 3. Insect Adventures, by Jean Henri Fabre (ISBN-10: 1500196452 ISBN-13: 978-1500196455) (All Year) ($2-$12) Note: For an advanced reader in the family, consider adding Fabre’s Book of Insects to the family reading (optional and will not be on the schedule). 4. Once Upon a Time Saints, by Ethel Pochocki (ISBN-10: 1883937159 ISBN-13: 978-1883937) (All Year) ($5-$12). 5. More Once Upon a Time Saints, by Ethel Pochocki (ISBN-10: 1883937345 ISBN-13: 978-1883937348) (All Year) ($5-$12). 6. English from the Roots Up, Volume 2, by Joegil Lundquist (ASIN: B00E322V94). Any new or used volume works. Families will also buy or make the study flashcards for this book. (All Year) ($15+). 7. Saint Benedict, by Mary Fabyan Windeatt (ISBN-10: 0895554275 ISBN-13: 978-0895554277) (Fall 2020) ($6-$12). 8. If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Becket, by Barbara Willard (ISBN-10: 1883937493 ISBN-13: 978-1883937492) (Spring 2021) ($6-$15). 9. Son of Charlemagne, by Barbara Willard (ISBN: 9781883937300 ISBN-10:1883937302 (Fall 2020) ($5-$15). 10. Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Story of “The Dumb Ox,” by Mary Fabyan Windeatt (ISBN: 9780895554208) (Spring 2021-Part 3) ($5-$9). 11. Francis and Clare, Saints of Assisi, by Helen Walker Homan (ISBN-10: 0898705177 ISBN-13: 978-0898705171) (Spring 2021) ($2-$9). Pictorial Encyclopedias Families will use pictorial encyclopedias throughout the year that include plants, animals, and insects. Because students will be pulling out key facts from the encyclopedias for their work, and they will need ample facts from which to choose, please avoid using primary level books and choose books at a reading level above the 6th grade. We recommend the following three books, as low cost, high interest options: 12. Reader’s Digest North American Wildlife (ISBN-13: 978-0895771025 ISBN-10: 9780895771025) (All Year) ($5-$35). 13. Animals: A Visual Encyclopedia (ISBN-10: 0756691702 ISBN-13: 978-0756691707) Any used volume will work. (All Year) ($6-$16). 14. Smithsonian Handbooks: Insects (ISBN-10: 0789493926 ISBN-13: 978-0789493927) Any used volume will work. (All Year) ($6-$16). Frequently Asked Questions What role does the parent play? In this unit study program, the parent’s role is to… 1. Schedule and implement the course material into your daily school and home life. 2. Schedule and engage in read-aloud time. 3. Grade some of the materials and work (approximately 30-60 minutes per week, depending on family choice of enrichment activities). 4. Attend one live class session with your student(s) each week. What’s included in the course? Enrolled families will receive… 1. A weekly checklist of activities and assignments and a timeline template 2. A suggested daily schedule for the four-day school week 3. Short instructional videos to enrich the study of history, science, creative writing, art, and literature 4. A list of optional supplementary books for solo reading for multiple grade levels 5. The weekly submission of assignments, and complete grading of 1-2 assignments by the instructor 6. A LIVE class meeting each week with the instructor to discuss material studied and to offer students an opportunity to share their work and/or recitations on camera (off-recording) What assignments are graded by the teacher? Enrolled students will have one to two assignments per week that are submitted for a grade. The assignment type alternates between project work (various subjects), auto-graded quizzes, and Language Arts assignments. Questions? We’re happy to help! Simply email homeschoolconnections@gmail.com, or call Toll Free, 1-888-372-4757, and we’ll get right back to you with answers! We look forward to seeing you in class! More![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Give your middle school student this dynamic, high-interest science and history course highlighting valuable innovations and scientific discoveries impacting both history and today. Class Dates: Mondays, January 25 to April 26, 2021. (No class Feb. 15 or March 29) Starting Time: 4:00 PM Eastern (3:00 Central 2:00 Mountain 1:00 Pacific) Duration: 45 minutes Prerequisite: None, but Middle School Medieval History recommended (Fall 2020) Suggested Grade Level: 6th to 8th grade Suggested Credit: One full semester Medieval or World History Fee: $177 if you register on or before November 15, 2020. $197 after Nov. 15 for all 12 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: Mr. Phillip Campbell Course Description: Medicine, Invention, and Technology in the Middle Ages is a fresh look at medieval history through the lens of science. Too often the medieval period is depicted as one of ignorance, superstition, and technological backwardness. This class will acquaint students with many valuable scientific advances of the Middle Ages and demonstrate that the medieval era was actually a time of dynamic discovery and innovation. Course Outline:
Course Materials: All course materials will be provided by the instructor. Homework: Homework will consist in readings and automated online quizzes. Estimated homework commitment per week is 2 hours. More![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Continue learning with this 6-week project-based literature and history course discussing the Medieval Era and help your middle school student study the historical context of the novel and participate in engaging literature discussions and hands-on projects.  Special Notes: There are a total of eight courses in this series. There are no prerequisites for any of the LHTL courses and so can be taken individually or as a series, and in any order. The first four courses are available as recorded courses through Unlimited Access. The second four are available as live, interactive courses in 2020/2021. Parts 5 and 6 follow one another this semester. Parts 7 and 8 follow in the spring semester. Parts 1 – 4 are not necessary for Parts 5 – 8. If you want all of your children to study the Medieval Era together, this course fits into our 4-year History Cycle (matching grade school, middle school, and high school courses). Total Classes: 6 Class Dates: Mondays, January 25 to March 8, 2021. (No class Feb. 15). Starting Time: 10:00 AM Eastern (9:00 Central 8:00 Mountain 7:00 Pacific) Duration: 40 to 45 minutes Prerequisite: None. Suggested Grade Level: 5th to 9th grade Suggested Credit: 1/2 semester Medieval Literature or Literature. Follow with Door to the North: Living History Through Literature (Medieval Era 8) to receive one full semester of credit (12 weeks of classes). Fee: $99 if you register on or before November 15, 2020. $119 after Nov. 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: Jackie de Laveaga Course Description: Living History Through Literature is a project-based course series offered to 5th through 9th grade students. These courses will weave the study of literature into a meaningful and engaging encounter with a specific era of history. In LHTL: Medieval History: Red Falcons of Tremoine, it is twelfth-century England, and we meet 15-year-old Leo who does not know his parentage. The Crusades are on, and the heir to the house of Wardlock has been killed. Abbot Michael knows the secret of Leo’s past, and he seeks to use his wisdom and endurance to help Leo. This is a stirring tale of suffering and courage, as well as love and forgiveness. Students will study the historical context of the novel and participate in engaging literature discussions. In this project-based course, students will engage in short quizzes and in projects of their choice. Project options will include fiction writing, preparing period-specific food and/or costumes, creating lap books, recreating scenes from the novel (Legos, clay, K’nex, digital drawing, hand-drawing, etc.), building a timeline, mapping, and more. Course Outline:
Course Materials: Red Falcons of Tremoine, by Hendry Peart [Bethlehem Books, 2007], ISBN-10: 1932350152 or ISBN-13: 978-1932350159. Your student will need either PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote to create a Final Project. Google Slides and Keynote can be found free online. Homework: Weekly quizzes and reading assignments. Each week, students will work on one project-based assignment that will culminate in a final novel project submission (due at the end of week 6). Homework (including novel reading) will take 1.5-3 hours per week. Parents are encouraged to support younger students by reading texts aloud and helping with project planning and execution. More![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Join Part 2 of this top-level college-prep writing course and learn how to master advanced argumentative writing, the skills for crafting research papers, style guide knowledge required for college writing, and more for college writing success. Part 2 of 2. Special Notes: Franciscan University of Steubenville recommends completion of this course before taking their dual-enrollment courses (www.franciscan.edu/homeschoolconnections). This course is offered in two time slots. Choose the day and time that works best for your homeschool. Total Classes: 10 Starting Dates and Times: Tuesdays, January 26 to April 6, 2021. (No classes March 30) 5:30 PM Eastern (4:30 Central 3:30 Mountain 2:30 Pacific) Duration: 1 hour Prerequisite: Required: Advanced Rhetoric & Writing 1: Rhetoric, Figures of Speech, Essays, & Papers (HS 12-1). Alternative to prerequisite: a passing assessment from the Aquinas Writing Advantage Assessment service,https://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/writing-evaluations. Suggested Grade Level: 10th to 12th grade, as long as the student has the required prerequisites. Suggested Credit: 1 full semester Advanced Writing or English Fee: $217 if you register on or before November 15, 2020. $237 after Nov. 15 for all 10 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.) Instructors:Erin Brown Conroy, MA, MFA Course Description: This course covers all of the advanced research and writing methods for argumentative research writing that you need, including how to craft an advanced research paper, and understanding style guides (APA, CMS/Turabian, MLA, and AP). A bibliography and research paper will be written during the course. If you are college-bound, if you want to be completely prepared for college writing, this course is a must-have for you! Course Outline:
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:www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00B7AB90W/catholictreas-20(Download the free Kindle app for free to easily read on your computer, tablet, or mobile device.) ● 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 and direct feedback from the instructor, with an estimated four to five hours per week for homework (outside of class time) that includes researching, reading, writing, and responding to feedback. More ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Explore C.S. Lewis’ Speculative Fiction classic Space Trilogy-experiencing the adventures, symbols, themes, and images telling a prophetic story of modern times and man’s place in the cosmos revealed- from a Christian perspective. Total Classes: 12 Class Dates: Mondays, February 1 to April 26, 2021. (No class March 29 for Holy Week) Starting Time: 2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 Central 12:30 Mountain 11:30 Pacific) Duration: 55 minutes Prerequisite: None Suggested Grade Level: 9th through 12th grade. Suggested Credit: 1 Semester Literature Fee: $177 if you register on or before November 15, 2020. $197 after Nov. 15 for all 12 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: CS Lewis’ science fiction novels The Space Trilogy combine adventures, symbols, themes, and images that tell a prophetic story of modern times and man’s place in the cosmos, told from a Christian perspective. We will engage this fascinating series, analyzing each book to bring out the deeper meanings they contain. Course Outline:
Course Materials: The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis -https://www.amazon.com/Space-Trilogy-Omnib-Classics-Perelandra-ebook/dp/B00GR0CK1Y Homework: Plan on 2 hours of reading per week, plus automated quizzes. More![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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, February 2 to February 23, 2021 2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 Central 12:30 Mountain 11:30 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:
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). More![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Through Plato’s famous short
works, learn Socrates’ ideas that influenced Western thinking including
moral obligation, citizenship, the soul, and the meaning of life. Total Classes: 12 Class Dates: Thursdays, February 4 to April 29.  (No class April 1) Starting Time: 5:30 PM Eastern (4:30 Central 3:30 Mountain 2:30 Pacific) Duration: 55 minutes Prerequisite: None. However, the Fall 2020 course Plato: An Introductory Reading is recommended. Suggested Grade Level: 10th to 12th grade Suggested Credit: 1 full semester Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy, or Ethics Fee: $177 if you register on or before November 15, 2020. $197 after Nov. 15 for all 14 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: Julian Ahlquist Course Description: There’s a reason they killed Socrates No one likes to have their principles questioned! Are you ready to challenge yourself and ask the hard questions? In this course we will read four famous short works by the philosopher Plato, namely, Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo, which recount the condemnation and execution of the philosopher Socrates, as well as the philosophical conversations he allegedly had in his last days. The topics they cover range from matters of moral obligation, citizenship, the soul, and the meaning of life, heavily influencing the history of western thought. Class lectures and discussions will cover the texts in careful detail so students have enough opportunity to grow more accustomed to reading philosophy. Course Outline:
Course Materials: Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno,
Phaedo by Plato, translated by G.M.A. Grube, revised
by John M. Cooper (Hackett) ISBN-10: 0872206335 / ISBN-13: 978-0872206335 OR More expensive option (However, a very good
deal, especially if you plan to read other works by Plato): Plato: Complete
Works by Plato, edited by John M. Cooper and D.S. Hutchinson (Hackett)
ISBN-10: 0872203492 / ISBN-13: 978-0872203495 Note: Get the printed versions because electronic versions might lack the Stephanus numbering in the margins, which this course uses to assign the readings. Homework: Homework will involve daily reading assignments and answering open-book review questions. There will also be a closed-book midterm and final exam.  Extra credit may be given for good in-class participation.  Plus, an optional essay will be offered. More![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
Learn why Dickens is one of the most influential writers in history with this novel that’s murder mystery, romance, suspense, social realism, and more. Who knew literary analysis could be so fun?
Total Classes: 6 Class Dates: Thursdays, February 4 to March 18. (No class on February 18) Starting Time: 4:00 PM Eastern (3:00 PM Central, 2:00 PM Mountain, 1:00 PM Pacific) Duration: 55 minutes. Prerequisite: Willingness to read the assigned materials. Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade Suggested Credit: 1/2 semester Literature. Fee: $97 if you register on or before November 15, 2020. $117 after Nov. 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: Eleanor Bourg Nicholson Course Description: "Come up and be dead!" This monumental novel shows the towering Victorian novelist Charles Dickens at the height of his powers, and richly presents a host of thrilling themes, glorious characters, and exquisite language. Come revel with Mrs. Nicholson in all things Dickensian, and tour the streets of Victorian London. In addition to cultivating artistic appreciation and a love of reading, this class facilitates the development of critical reasoning, the disciplined use of the imagination, and a strong knowledge of historical and literary context. (Love of Dickens not required, but you must come prepared to defend your dislike articulately in the face of devout eloquence in his favor.) Course Outline: Week 1: Introduction to Charles Dickens Our Mutual Friend, Volume 1, Chapters I-XII. Week 2: Our Mutual Friend, Volume 1, Chapter XIII through Volume 2, Chapter VII. Week 3: Our Mutual Friend, Volume 2, Chapter VIII through Volume 3, Chapter III. Week 4: Our Mutual Friend, Volume 3, Chapters IV-XIV. Week 5: Our Mutual Friend, Volume 3, Chapter XV through Volume 4, Chapter VI. Week 6: Our Mutual Friend, Chapter VII to the end. Course Materials: The complete works of Charles Dickens are available online for free via Project Gutenberg. Any printed editions are acceptable. Homework: Expect to spend approximately 3 hours per week on homework. This will mostly be reading, weekly identification quizzes, a handful of other small assignments, a concluding quiz/assignment, and recommended participation in Moodle-based forums. Students can also sign up for an optional literary essay with 6 weeks to complete. More ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Join this optional accompanying dissection lab for High School Biology with Dr. Hamilton, with video meetings on mold, a crayfish, a clam, a bovine eye, a frog, and a worm.  Special notes: This course is the optional LAB component for the Biology course with Dr. Hamilton. Students are required to also sign up for the Biology course. This is Part Two of a 2-part course. 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 Class Dates and Starting Times: Tuesdays, 1:00 PM Eastern (12:00 Central, 11:00 Mountain, 10:00 Pacific) February 9 to April 6, 2021. (No class Feb. 16 or Mar. 30) Duration:  30 minutes Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Biology, Part Two Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade Fee: $37 if you register on or before November 15, 2020. $57 after Nov. 15 for all 12 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.) Suggested Credit: One full semester Biology Lab. Instructors: Christine Hamilton, PhD Course Description: There will be 6 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. List provided in syllabus. Course Outline:
Course Materials:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DBJPJW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1 OR
Homework: All work is done in class, or students can opt to perform labs at home after class. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|