Writing for High School: Online Classes for Homeschoolers

Due to the popularity of our writing courses, we've added a second live high school writing course for the fall semester. All of our Elements of Writing and Simplified Writing courses are filled for the upcoming semester. They will be offered again in the spring and are also available through our Unlimited Access! service (recorded courses).

For students wishing to take a live writing course beginning in September, please scroll down for information on our Writing for High School course with Robert Gotcher, Ph.D. This course has been offered in the past and also filled up before the first day, so we recommend registering soon. Registration is limited to 15 students.

All course materials are provided free as part of your registration fee. Dr. Gotcher grades and comments on all assignments, leaving Mom free for other subjects.

A link to the registration page is below. Please don't hesitate to drop us an email with questions at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

Writing: Writing for High School

(please click on title to register)

Dates: Tuesdays, September 11 to October 30, 2012
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 4:00 pm Eastern (3 pm Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Fee: $180 for all 8 classes.
Instructor: Robert Gotcher, Ph.D.
Prerequisite: none
Suggested grade level: 9th to 10th
High school credit: 2/3 semester. Parent can assign additional writing assignments for full semester credit.
Course description: This course is designed to help the student develop the skills and habits that make for good writing at the high school level. The emphasis will be on creating good paragraphs, introductions and conclusions, organizing the paragraphs, and outlining.
Course outline:
Class 1: The essentials of good writing
Class 2: The paragraph
Class 3: The introduction
Class 4: The conclusion
Class 5: The argument
Class 6: The outline
Class 7: The five-paragraph essay
Class 8: Wrap-up and final assignment
Course materials: Everything provided FREE online or by Dr. Gotcher.
Homework: Weekly writing assignments. Final 3-5 page paper on topic of student’s choice. Graded by Dr. Gotcher.

Instructor's biography: Dr. Gotcher is an independent educator and scholar. He has taught at a major seminary, graduate and undergraduate students, lay ministry students, diaconal candidates, and high school students, both online and in the classroom. He and his wife, Kathy, are raising their seven children in Franklin, Wisconsin. Dr. Gotcher has been actively involved in the homeschooling of his children, especially in the junior and high school years. He has taught Latin, literature, physics, astronomy, and religion to homeschooled students. He has a special devotion to the classical trivium of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, especially as they pertain to the written arts. Dr. Gotcher graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in the Program of Liberal Studies. He received his M.A. in Theology of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul and his Ph.D. from Marquette University. Dr. Gotcher teaches literature, theology, writing and logic.

Equipment requirements: Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.
Misc: Dr. Gotcher will be available via email in between classes for questions and comments.
Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.
Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.