Scope and Sequence: Middle and High School Writing

Homeschool Connections writing program, Aquinas Writing Advantage, is a complete online program for you and your student. It is designed to help students become skilled writers and be prepared for their futures. Aquinas Writing Advantage graduates are ready for college and beyond.

Parents often asked us, "Where do I start?" To answer that question, we offer the following scope and sequence, based on your student's grade level in the fall. Whether your child is starting with Homeschool Connections in 7th grade or 12th grade, we can help you. Our live, interactive classes provide grading and feedback, giving you ease of mind and freeing your time. We also offer recorded, independent-learning classes, providing you with yet another homeschool option.

To learn more, please visit our website at www.homeschoolconnections.com or email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

SUGGESTED SCOPE AND SEQUENCE 
For the Student Beginning in the 12th Grade

12th GRADE

Fall

How to Be an Excellent Student (short course)
Elements of Writing for High School: Punctuation and Grammar / Simplified Writing for High School
Vocabulary and Writing I
Spring
Advance Writing and Rhetoric
Advanced Research Writing
Vocabulary and Writing II


SUGGESTED SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
For the Student Beginning in the 11th Grade

11th GRADE
Fall
Elements of Writing for High School: Punctuation and Grammar / Simplified Writing for High School
Vocabulary and Writing I
Spring
How to Be an Excellent Student (short course)
High School Writing Essentials: Excellent Paragraph and Essay/Test Writing
Vocabulary and Writing II

12th GRADE
Fall
Advanced Writing and Rhetoric
The Hero’s Journey and Mythic Structure for Writers 1: Archetypes
Spring
Advanced Research Writing
The Hero’s Journey and Mythic Structure for Writers 2: Form


SUGGESTED SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
For the Student Beginning in the 10th Grade

10th GRADE
Fall

How to Be an Excellent Student (short course)
Elements of Writing for High School: Punctuation and Grammar / Simplified Writing for High School
Vocabulary and Writing I
Spring
Vocabulary and Writing II
Fiction Writing Series

11th GRADE
Fall

The Hero’s Journey and Mythic Structure for Writers 1: Archetypes
High School Writing Essentials: Excellent Paragraph and Essay/Test Writing
Spring
The Hero’s Journey and Mythic Structure for Writers 2: Form

12th GRADE
Fall

Advanced Writing and Rhetoric
Spring
Advanced Research Writing


SUGGESTED SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
For the Student Beginning in the 9th Grade

9th GRADE
Fall

How to Be an Excellent Student (or in the spring)
Fiction Writing Series
Spring
Fiction Writing Series

10th GRADE
Fall

Elements of Writing for High School: Punctuation and Grammar/Simplified Writing for High School
Vocabulary and Writing I
Spring
Vocabulary and Writing II

11th GRADE
Fall

The Hero’s Journey and Mythic Structure for Writers 1: Archetypes
High School Writing Essentials: Excellent Paragraph and Essay/Test Writing
Spring
The Hero’s Journey and Mythic Structure for Writers 2: Form

12th GRADE
Fall

Advanced Writing and Rhetoric
Spring
Advanced Research Writing


SUGGESTED SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
For the Student Beginning in the 8th Grade

8th GRADE
Fall

Elements of Writing for Middle School: Essential Punctuation and Grammar / Simplified Writing for Middle School
Spring
Middle School Writing Essentials: Excellent Sentence and Paragraph Writing
Fiction Writing Series

9th GRADE
Fall

How to Be an Excellent Student
Middle School Writing II
Spring
Fiction Writing Series

10th GRADE
Fall

Elements of Writing for High School: Punctuation and Grammar / Simplified Writing for High School
Vocabulary and Writing I
Spring
Vocabulary and Writing II

11th GRADE
Fall

High School Writing Essentials: Excellent Paragraph and Essay/Test Writing
The Hero’s Journey and Mythic Structure for Writers 1: Archetypes
Spring
The Hero’s Journey and Mythic Structure for Writers 2: Form

12th GRADE
Fall

Advanced Writing and Rhetoric
Spring
Advanced Research Writing


SUGGESTED SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
For the Student Beginning in the 7th Grade

7th GRADE
Fall

Elements of Writing for Middle School: Essential Punctuation and Grammar / Simplified Writing for Middle School
Spring
Middle School Writing Essentials: Excellent Sentence and Paragraph Writing

8th GRADE
Fall

Middle School Writing II
Spring
Fiction Writing Series (3 4-week courses)

9th GRADE
Fall

How to Be an Excellent Student
Fiction Writing Series

Spring

Elements of Writing for High School: Punctuation and Grammar / Simplified Writing for High School

10th GRADE
Fall

Vocabulary and Writing I
Spring
Vocabulary and Writing II

11th GRADE
Fall

High School Writing Essentials: Excellent Paragraph and Essay/Test Writing
The Hero’s Journey and Mythic Structure for Writers 1: Archetypes
Spring
The Hero’s Journey and Mythic Structure for Writers 2: Form

12th GRADE
Fall

Advanced Writing and Rhetoric
Spring
Advanced Research Writing

 All of these courses can be taken as live, interactive classes or they can be taken as recorded, independent-learning classes. To learn more, please visit our website at www.homeschoolconnections.com or email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

Online Science Classes for 2013/2014

We continue to add new courses to Homeschool Connections' list of offerings. We are very happy to be offering more science next school year. Below are our middle and high school science courses currently open for registration. You will find the instructor's biographies below too.

Fall 2013 Semester

Middle School Life Science: Topics in Life Science I; The Cell

(click on course title for more information or to register)

Class dates: Tuesdays, September 10 to November 26, 2013
Total classes: 12
Starting time: 3:30 PM Eastern Time (2:30 Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 6th to 8th grade
Fee: $160 if you register on or before Aug. 1, 2013. $180 after Aug. 1st for all 12 classes.
Instructor: Kris Correira, PA-C, MHP
Course description: The cell is the basic unit of all Life. This 12-week course introduces middle school kids to what a living organism is; the structure, functions, and processes of cells; and genetics.
Course materials: All reference materials will be provided free by the instructor. A list of required lab supplies will be distributed at the beginning of the semester. Access to a microscope is helpful but not required.
Homework: Labs to be completed each week of varying length.

Digestive and Urinary Systems (Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition)

(click on course title for more information or to register)

Class dates: Thursdays, September 5 to November 21, 2013
Total classes: 10 lectures plus 2 exam dates
Starting time: 2:00 pm Eastern (1:00 Central)
Duration: 1 hour (plus 15 minutes for quiz)
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th through 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Biology
Fee: $160 if you register on or before Aug. 1, 2013. $180 after Aug. 1st for all 10 classes plus 2 test dates.
Instructor: Kris Correira, PA-C, MHP
Course description: Another course in the Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition series, this one focusing on the structure, function, and diseases of the digestive and urinary systems. Course materials: a free companion e-book will be provided.
Homework: Labs to be completed each week of varying lengths.

Musculoskeletal System and Nervous System (Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition)

(click on course title for more information or to register)

Class dates: Thursdays, September 5 to November 21, 2013.
Total classes: 10 lectures plus 2 exam dates.
Starting time: 3:30 pm Eastern (2:30 Central)
Duration: 1 hour (plus 15 minutes before most classes for weekly quiz)
Prerequisite: none
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Biology
Fee: $160 if you register on or before August 1, 2013. $180 after Aug. 1 for all 12 classes.
Instructor: Kris Correira, PA-C, MHP
Course description: Anatomy and physiology focusing on the musculoskeletal system and nervous system infused with Catholic thought and history.
Course materials: A FREE electronic book will be provided by the instructor.
Homework: Labs to be completed each week of varying length.

Chemistry/Honors Chemistry, Part One

(click on course title for more information or to register)

Note: This is a 2-part course. Students are expected to register also for Part Two in the spring semester.
Class dates: Mondays and Wednesdays, September 4 to December 18, 2013
Total classes: 30
Starting time: 11:15 AM Eastern (10:15 AM Central)
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes)
Prerequisite: Algebra I, previous or concurrent (Unlimited Access!)
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Chemistry I or Honors Chemistry I.
Fee: Chemistry: $225 Early Enrollment; $250 after Early Enrollment.
          Honors Chemistry: $275 Early Enrollment; $300 after Early Enrollment
Instructor: Kathy Dutton
Course description: We will be studying God's creation at the atomic level and discovering how marvelous it is. This college-prep Chemistry course will cover a wide range of topics, from What is an atom? to How and why do atoms react? We will also consider how Chemistry is important for our day-to-day life. Weekly assignments will include homework, lab, and a quiz. There will be 3 to 4 tests per term.
Honors Chemistry Track: There is an optional Honors Chemistry track available for this class. All students will attend the same twice-weekly class. Honors students will be expected to complete more-involved assignments (homework, quizzes, and tests) and additional lab work. Honor students should have a solid background in science and be strong in math, as this option will be more mathematically based. This class meets the prerequisite for an AP Chemistry that is planned for next year. It is suggested, but not mandatory, that if you plan to take AP Chemistry next year you follow the Honors Chemistry track this year.
If you have a question about this course, you may e-mail Mrs. Dutton at kathy.l.dutton@gmail.com.
Course materials: Required: Chemistry, Wilbraham, Staley, Matta, Waterman (Prentice Hall, 2008) ISBN: 0-13-251210-6, Virtual Chemlab (Prentice Hall) ISBN: 0-13-166412-3 Lab supplies - many will be common household supplies; if needed, a lab supply kit will be available from the instructor (price TBD). Note: A couple of good sources for finding used books: Bookfinder and Cathswap (click on titles for websites).
Homework: 4 to 5 hours on class work plus 1-hour lab outside of class. Mrs. Dutton will be available to answer homework or lab questions during scheduled office hours or via e-mail at any time.

Spring 2014 Semester
Note on Middle School Science: We are planning to add a middle school level science course to the Spring 2014 Semester. We will keep you updated here and at the website.

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems (Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition)

(click on course title for more information or to register)

Class dates: Thursdays, February 6 to May 1. No class Holy Week.
Total classes: 12 (10 classes plus 2 exams)
Starting time: 2:00 PM Eastern (1:00 Central) with a 15 minute quiz available before most classes
Duration: 1 hour (plus 15 minutes for quiz)
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th through 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Biology
Fee: $160 if you register on or before Nov. 1, 2013. $180 after Nov. 1st for all classes.
Instructor: Kris Correira, PA-C, MHP
Course description: Another course in the Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition series, this one focusing on the structure, function, and diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Course materials: A FREE companion e-book will be provided by the instructor.
Homework: Labs to be completed each week of varying length.

Blood and Immunity (Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition)

(click on course title for more information or to register)

Class dates: Thursdays, February 6 to May 1, 2014. No class Holy Week.
Total classes: 12 (10 classes plus 2 exams)
Starting time: 3:30 PM Eastern (2:30 Central) with a 15 minute quiz available before most classes
Duration: 60 minutes (plus 15 minutes for quiz)
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th through 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Biology
Fee: $160 if you register on or before Nov. 1, 2013. $180 after Nov. 1st for all classes.
Instructor: Kris Correira, PA-C, MHP
Course description: Another course in the Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition series, this one focusing on the structure, function, and diseases of the blood and immune systems.
Course materials: A free companion e-book will be provided by the instructor. Access to a 400x microscope is required. A list of required lab materials to be ordered before the start of class will be provided.
Homework: Labs to be completed each week of varying length

Chemistry/Honors Chemistry, Part Two 

(click on course title to learn more or to register)

Note: This is a 2-part course. Students are welcome to join us midyear if they meet the requirements. Email the instructor for permission through homeschoolconnections@gmail.com. 
Class dates: Mondays and Wednesdays, January 6 to Mary 21, 2014.
Total classes: 30
Starting time: 11:15 AM Eastern (10:15 Central)
Duration: 1.25 hours (75 minutes)
Prerequisite: Chemistry/Honors Chemistry, Part One or equivalent.
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th grade.
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Chemistry
Fee:  Chemistry: $225 Early Enrollment; $250 after Early Enrollment
         Honors Chemistry: $275 Early Enrollment; $300 after Early Enrollment
Instructor: Kathy Dutton
Course description: We will be studying God's creation at the atomic level and discovering how marvelous it is. This college-prep Chemistry course will cover a wide range of topics, from What is an atom? to How and why do atoms react? We will also consider how Chemistry is important for our day-to-day life. Weekly assignments will include homework, lab, and a quiz. There will be 3 to 4 tests per term.
Honors Chemistry Track: There is an optional Honors Chemistry track available for this class. All students will attend the same twice-weekly class. Honors students will be expected to complete more-involved assignments (homework, quizzes, and tests) and additional lab work. Honor students should have a solid background in science and be strong in math, as this option will be more mathematically based. This class meet the prerequisite for an AP Chemistry that is planned for next year. It is suggested, but not mandatory, that if you plan to take AP Chemistry next year you follow the Honors Chemistry track this year. If you have a question about this course, you may e-mail Mrs. Dutton at kathy.l.dutton@gmail.com.
Course materials: Required: Chemistry, Wilbraham, Staley, Matta, Waterman (Prentice Hall, 2008) ISBN: 0-13-251210-6, Virtual Chemlab (Prentice Hall) ISBN: 0-13-166412-3 Lab supplies - many will be common household supplies; if needed, a lab supply kit will be available from the instructor (price TBD)
Homework: 4 to 5 hours on class work and 1-hour lab outside of class. Mrs. Dutton will grade homework and be available to answer homework or lab questions during scheduled office hours or via e-mail at any time.

Science Instructors: Biographies
Kris Correira, PA-C, MHP 
Mrs. Correira is a homeschooling mom of three boys. She worked as a physician assistant in a busy emergency department for over 16 years. She has been teaching paramedic students at Quinsigamond Community College since 1994 and has taught human biology labs at Eastern Connecticut State University. She has over ten years of experience teaching online classes. She received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biological Sciences and Computer Science from Wellesley College, and her Physician Assistant Certificate and Masters of Health Professions degree from Northeastern University. You can find Kris on the web at her blog AtHomeScience.blogspot.com or her homeschool blog ScienceOfRelations.blogspot.com or her nature study blog APrivateEyeNature.blogspot.com. You can also find her at daily Mass, Adoration, or whatever event is going on at the small parish to which her family belongs.

Kathy Dutton 
Mrs. Dutton holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Michigan, as well as a BA in Accounting from University of Michigan. Her early career involved research, including work with catalytic converts, neurology, and immunology. Mrs. Dutton has nearly 20 years of teaching and tutoring experience across various venues, including at the university, private tutoring, home-school group classes, and public and Catholic schools. Currently, Mrs. Dutton home schools her youngest son (a high school senior) and teaches an AP Chemistry course. She teaches Catholic religious education and Confirmation preparation classes for her parish. Additionally, Mrs. Dutton devotes time to the Flint Regional Science and Engineering Fair, an ISEF-associated fair. Mrs. Dutton; her husband, Dave; son, Alex; two cats, Taz and Tabby (or is it Tubby?); and dog, Holli, live in mid-Michigan. Her two older sons, Matt and Andy, are on their own.

Who's Your Favorite HSC Instructor?

Recorded Courses by Instructor

This alphabetical list sorts our recorded courses (available through Unlimited Access) by instructor.  If you have a favorite Homeschool Connections instructor, this is an easy way to check out his or her other courses.

Alvis, Catherine

Latin I Boot Camp: Introduction to Latin

Latin II Readiness Boot Camp

Latin II/III Boot Camp: Cattus Petasatus

Latin 1/2  (Jenney’s)

Latin I  (Wheelock)

Latin II  (Wheelock)

Latin III (Wheelock)

Ashour, Monica

History/Theology: Church History; Trinitarian

Theology: Christian Anthropology—Who Am I?

Theology: Moral Theology—How Shall I Live?

Theology: Ecclesiology & Sacramental Theology—How Shall I Glorify God?

Theology: Theology of the Body: “The Best Method of Educating Man”

Brock, Dayspring

Literature/Writing (Middle School): The Heroic in Arthurian Literature

Literature (Middle School): Mark Twain; Friends, Fiends, and Freedom in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Literature (High School): English Literature and the Question of Evil 

Campbell, Phillip

Archeology/History: An Archaeological Survey of the Old and New Testaments

Economics: Economics as if People Matter (Micro and Macro)

History: Foundations of Christian Historiography

History: Catholic Middle Ages

History: Roots of the Revolt, 1417-1560

History: The Age of the Religious Wars, 1560-1648

History: World History; 12 Inventions That Revolutionized the World

History: Early American History, 1492-1763

History: U. S. History, 1763-1865

History: Modern American History; 1865 to 2000

History Camp: The Great Depression; 1929 to 1941

History Camp: Understanding the Second Vatican Council
History: Life and Times of the Ancient Romans

Middle School History: Life and Time of the Ancient Romans

Conroy, Erin Brown (EB)

Writing: Essential Punctuation and Grammar for Middle School

Writing: Essential Punctuation and Grammar for High School

Writing: Simplified Writing for Middle School

Writing: Simplified Writing for High School

Writing: Fiction Writing; Plot and Structure

Writing: Fiction Writing; Description and Setting

Writing: Fiction Writing; Characters and Dialogue  

Writing: Advanced High School Writing
Writing: Fiction Writing: Theme, Style, and Point of View

Writing: Fiction Writing; Conflict and Creating the Breakout Novel

Writing: Fiction Writing: Authoring a Book: What it Takes and How to Succeed

Writing: Advanced Research Writing: Preparing for College

Science: Health, Fitness, and Wellness for Middle School Students

Test Prep: SAT Quick Test Prep

Test Prep: ACT Test Prep

Test Prep: ACT English and Writing Test Prep

Life Skills: Leadership and Interpersonal Communications Skills 

Life Skills: How to Be an Excellent Student: Notetaking, Test Taking, and Getting an A+ 

Correira, Kris

Science: Heart and Lungs; the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems (Anatomy & Physiology)

Science: Blood and Immunity; Hematology and Immune System (Anatomy & Physiology)

Gotcher, Robert

Literature: Chesterton; Man of Letters
Literature: The Space Trilogy of C. S. Lewis

Literature: Tolkien and Fairy Stories

Logic: Formal Logic I 

Logic: Formal Logic II; Advanced Logic

Theology: Catholic Spiritual Writers

Theology: Introduction to the Bible; New Testament

Theology: Introduction to the Bible; Old Testament

Theology: The Trinity

Theology: The Mass Explained

Writing: Writing for High School

Writing: Writing for College

Harris, David

Economics: Principles of Economics (Micro) and Catholic Perspectives

Life Skills: Personal Finances for Teens

Hoeft, Jean

Math Boot Camp: Preparing for Pre-Algebra
Math Boot Camp: Preparing for Algebra

Math Boot Camp: Preparing for Algebra II

Math: Pre-Algebra; Saxon

Math: Algebra I; Saxon

Math: Algebra II; Saxon

Math: Geometry; Saxon

Mausolf, Alexis, MA

German I

Michuta, Gary

Aquinas Connections (Adult): Practical Catholic Apologetics

Theology (Middle School): Apologetics for Catholics

Theology: Apologetics Boot Camp

Theology: Defending the Bible in Modern Times

Theology: Advanced Catholic Apologetics 
Theology: What About Mary? Marian Apologetics

Negri, Jason

Government/Law: Introduction to Law; Fundamentals of the American Legal System

Pearce, Joseph

Literature: Romeo and Juliet; The Catholic Shakespeare

Literature: Hamlet; The Catholic Shakespeare 

Rioux, Jean

Philosophy/Logic: Fallacies and Paradoxes

Philosophy: What Do Philosophers Do and How Do They Do It?

Philosophy: Introduction to Early Modern Philosophy

Philosophy: Natural Philosophy; Philosophy of God

Rivet, Ed

Government: Government, Democracy, and Citizenship

Government: Advanced American Government

Government: American Elections: Democracy in Action

Russell, Henry

Literature: Homer’s Odyssey; The Soul of Pre-Socratic Wisdom
Literature: The Iliad:  Glory and the Will of God

Literature: Sophocles and Tragedy

Literature: Virgil’s Aeneid; The Founding of Nations in the Will of God

Literature: Beowulf and Christ

Literature: Canterbury Tales of Geoffrey Chaucer; Trust God and Tradition

Literature: King Arthur and Christ; Heroism and Holiness
Literature: Macbeth; The Catholic Shakespeare

Literature: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; Chivalry, Courtesy and Chastity

Literature: Scarlet Letter

Literature: Death Comes for the Archbishop (American Classics Series)

Literature: The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton (Modern Catholic Classics Series)

Literature: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (Modern Catholic Classics Series)

Literature: Redemptive Comedy of Flannery O’Connor (American Classics Series)

Literature: The Hobbit 

Literature: The Lord of the Rings; The Fellowship of the Ring

Literature: The Lord of the Rings; The Two Towers 

Literature: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Schmitt, Irma

Spanish ½

Spanish I

Spanish II

Stanley, Alison

History (Middle School): The Civil War Years; A Nation Divided

History (Middle School): The Revolutionary War

Gov./Law: Constitutional Law: Supreme Court Jurisprudence I 

Gov./Law: The First Amendment

Watkins, Matt

Science: Environmental Science 

Music Appreciation for High School

We are very happy to announce, thrilled in fact, that Professor Carol will be teaching music and art appreciation for Homeschool Connections in the fall semester. Yes, THE Professor Carol! We hope you'll join us in this adventure of art and music through history ...

Discovering Western Culture through Music and the Arts

(click on course title to register)

Class dates: Fridays, September 13 to December 13, 2013. No class October 11 and November 29
Total classes: 12 classes plus recorded lectures
Starting time: 2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 PM Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None. No musical background is necessary.
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Music/Art Appreciation
Fee: $175 if you register on or before August 1, 2013. $195 after Aug. 1st for all 12 classes
Instructor: Carol Reynolds, Ph.D. (Professor Carol)
Course description: Journey with Professor Carol through Western History, using music as the focal point but weaving in visual art (painting, sculpture), dance, theater, architecture, and literature. The study of music and the Fine Arts supports the understanding of history, geography, and culture. Elements of science, technology, and language are included in the course as well. Sessions will focus on the years between 1600 and World War One, but will present an overview of Medieval/Renaissance Sacred Music.
Course materials: 1. Discovering Music online curriculum by Professor Carol will be made available to students for half of the regular price ($30 for four months subscription). 2. Music selections assigned by the instructor. These can be accessed in one of four ways. Choose the one that best suits your family: a) Free by searching your public library or YouTube; b) Classical Archives ($8 per month); c) Naxos ($20 per year); OR d) purchase 3-CD set from the instructor (HSC discounted price $34.95).
Homework: This is not a course for the faint of heart. We’ll have a lot of fun as we discover music together, but students should expect a good amount of work outside of the classroom in that discovery. Homework will entail: 1. Viewing recorded classes in advance to the live classes. 2. Viewing assigned artwork and listening to music. 3. Interactive quizzes. 4. A midterm and a final exam (fill-in-blank, short essays, long essays, with answers/suggested answers). 5. Unit projects to be determined. Due to the nature of the medium, we encourage students more than ever to share their learning experience and the resources used in this course with the rest of their family.

Discovering Western Culture through Music and the Arts

(click on course title to register)

Instructor biography for Carol Reynolds, Ph.D.

Dr. Carol Reynolds weaves energy, humor, and history into everything she does.   After a career as a professor at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, “Professor Carol” and husband Hank moved to a ranch and began creating Fine Arts courses for students and adults.  Her unprecedented Discovering Music: 300 Years of Interaction in Western Music, Arts, History, & Culture and Exploring America’s Musical Heritage reach across the world.  Her new course History of Early Sacred Music will appear this summer, as well as online courses on Russian Music, Research Skills for Students Entering College, and a new series on American Music.  A pianist and organist, she is a popular speaker for the Van Cliburn Series, The Dallas Symphony, opera companies, and museums.  She works frequently in Eastern Europe and Russia as Study Leader for The Smithsonian.

Attaining the Necessary Skills for Success in College

Build Your Teen's College Skill Set
Plus Scope and Sequence

Are you and your high school student(s) planning for college? If so, there are certain skill sets that are particularly important to acquire.

Study Skills: Students need to know how to manage their time and meet deadlines. The brightest student can still flounder if these skills are not learned. The successful college student also needs good note taking and basic study skills so that they can get the most out of their classes and homework. After completing HSC's Study Skills and Note Taking course, students will put these skills into practice through their high school years and will therefore be better prepared for college.

Communication Skills: Strong communication skills will greatly benefit your student in any college major or career field. HSC offers a course to help students learn and practice good communications. In the Leadership and Communications Skills course, students learn speaking skills, listening skills, conflict management, and more.

Leadership Skills: The most successful students are often the ones who are also leaders. As Catholics, it is important that our students become people who are a positive influence at school and in the world. HSC's Leadership and  Communications Skills course will encourage them to be people of service, show them how to be a faith-filled leader, and more.

Writing Skills: It's not enough to learn lessons taught in school, students need to be able to communicate the lessons learned in writing. Strong writing skills are vital for college success. HSC offers a strong writing program (Aquinas Writing Advantage) that will take your student from the basics (grammar, punctuation, vocabulary) to the advanced (rhetoric, research, academic papers). Your student will be ready for college writing after successfully completing these writing courses.

Critical Thinking Skills: Education should not be about cramming facts into children's heads. It should be about giving them a love for learning and the ability to think. We highly recommend formal logic and philosophy to help your student think critically and therefore succeed in all their school subjects. Logic and Philosophy are not electives -- they are vital to a core curriculum. HSC offers a variety of courses that teach your student critical thinking skills, while at the same time raising their hearts to God and finding the beauty of their Catholic faith.

ACT/SAT Test Skills: To help your student get into the college of his choice, and get the best scholarship possible, we offer courses on preparing for the ACT and SAT tests. Your student will learn how to prepare for the test, what to expect, manage time, and more for success. Latin studies should also be considered, for a variety of reasons including the evidence that Latin studies increase ACT and SAT scores.

Most Importantly -- How to Evaluate Ideas through a Catholic Lens:
In college your student will encounter many new ideas and assumptions. Some of them will be potentially damaging. We want to give your student the necessary tools to recognize and understand the worldviews they encounter and know how to articulate their own beliefs effectively and convincingly. All of HSC instructors are Catholic and teach their courses through a Catholic lens, thus demonstrating to your student how God is evident in everything. Our theology courses will specifically prepare your student to defend his faith when he goes out into the world, as well as help him build a solid foundation of faith for his life.

All of the mentioned courses are currently available through our Unlimited Access! program. These are recorded classes that can be taken on your schedule and at your pace ... and very reasonably priced! To learn more, email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com or visit http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/online-catholic-course-catalog/recorded-courses/

Writing, Philosophy, Logic, Theology, and Study Skills will also be offered as live, interactive courses in the 2013/2014 school year. Courses are open for registration. Please visit http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/online-catholic-course-catalog/ or email for more information.

There is one more skill set I'd like to mention ...
How to Use Technology in Education:
In HSC's online courses students become familiar with the same, or similar, technology they’ll encounter in college. They learn how to be engaged participants in a live, interactive webinar and gain experience using online tools to collaborate with their instructor and fellow students from all across the country and the world. This is a skill set that will help them advance in higher education as well as the business place.

Recommended Homeschool Connections College Skill Set Courses
Note: We offer a wide variety of courses and this recommend scope and sequence can easily be adjusted to fit your student's needs. Of course, you'll also want to include history, science, and moth.

9th Grade
How to be an Excellent Student: Note Taking, Test Taking, and How to Get an A (4 weeks)

Elements of Writing: Essential Punctuation and Grammar (6 weeks)
Simplified Writing (8 weeks)
Excellent Paragraph and Essay/Test Writing (6 weeks)

Introduction to Formal Logic (12 weeks)

Latin I (24 weeks)

Catholic Apologetics (12 to 24 weeks)

10th Grade

Vocabulary and Writing 1 (14 weeks)

Vocabulary and Writing 2 (14 weeks)

Advance Formal Logic (12 weeks)

Latin II (24 weeks)

Philosophy 101: What Do Philosophers Do and How (8 weeks)

Advanced Catholic Apologetics (12 weeks)

11th Grade

Creative (Fiction) Writing (16 to 24 weeks)

Latin III/IV (24 weeks)

ACT/SAT Prep (4 weeks)

Thomistic Philosophy (12 to 24 weeks)

Understanding Our Faith series (8 to 16 weeks)

12th Grade

Leadership and Communications (6 weeks)

Advanced Writing and Rhetoric (10 weeks)

Advanced Research Writing  (10 weeks)

Theology of the Body series (24 weeks)

Early Modern Philosophy (12 weeks)

Philosophy of God: Natural Theology (12 weeks)

Pre-K to 8th Grade Curriculum: Mater Amabilis (Free!)

Homeschool Connections specializes in online education for middle and high school students. The classes offered for middle school are fewer in number than the classes offered for high school. We believe, strongly, that the current technology works great for older students but is not appropriate for grade school students.

We sometimes get requests from parents for grade school classes. However, the earliest our courses begin is 6th grade and those are few. Our philosophy is that younger students need to spend as little time as possible on the computer.

If you have preschool to grade school children, we highly recommend Mater Amabilis. This is a free Charlotte Mason curriculum for Catholic homeschooling families. Yes, FREE! It was put together by a group of dedicated Catholic home educators in the U.S. and England to be given freely to the entire Catholic homeschooling community.

Thousands upon thousands of Catholic homeschooling families have used Mater Amabilis over the years. I heard from one just yesterday:

I am so appreciative for Homeschool Connections and Mater Amabilis as we have benefited greatly from both your offerings in our homeschool over the years. Bravo!!
 ~ Meredith Henning, author of Mondays with Mary

 If you are interested in learning more, please click here: Mater Amabilis: A Pre-K to Eighth Grade Charlotte Mason Style Curriculum.

Beginning Spanish: Online Classes

Spanish I (Beginning Spanish), Part One 

(click on title to register)

Course dates: Wednesdays, September 4 to December 4, 2013.
Total classes: 12 live classes plus 12 recorded lectures for a total of 24 classes.
Starting time: 12:30 PM Eastern (11:30 AM Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: Spanish ½, Introduction to Spanish (Unlimited Access!) or equivalent. Students taking Spanish I should know the Spanish concept of articles, nouns and adjectives, the conjugation of verbs “ser and estar” in the present tense, possessive adjectives and being able to use basic vocabulary in Spanish.
Note: If you have no Spanish experience at all, you can prepare for this course over the summer by reviewing Spanish 1/2 through Unlimited Access (recorded classes) or working through the workbook on your own: Spanish 100+ Series (click on title for ordering information - answer key is included)
Suggested grade level: 7th - 11th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Spanish or Foreign Language
Fee: $220 if you register on or before Aug. 1, 2013. $240 after Aug. 1st for all 24 classes.
Instructor: Irma Luz Schmitt, MA
Course description: In Spanish 1, students learn to conjugate regular, irregular and stem-changing verbs in present time. In addition, students learn other grammar concepts, such as comparisons, superlatives, a personal, etc. As a complement to the class in real time, students will have opportunity to view a recorded class each week that includes exercises in new vocabulary and pronunciation practice.
Course materials: TBA
Homework: In order to help students practice the Spanish Language every day, each week they will be required to view a video reviewing vocabulary, prepare a recording, complete a vocabulary quiz, and write in Spanish.

Spanish I (Beginning Spanish), Part One 

(click on title to register)