Educating the heart, mind, and soul in the Catholic tradition with online classes

Faith ~ Excellence ~ Passion

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Winding Down the Homeschool Year


We recently received a request from a homeschool mom asking us to offer short 4- to 6-week recorded courses. She was looking for a way to help her fill in some homeschooling holes between April and June. The good news is that we were able to help immediately as we already have a great slate of such short courses.

Here is a list of 4-week and 6-week courses currently available through our Unlimited Access program (recorded courses):

Computer Skills
  • Introduction to Microsoft Word
  • Introduction to PowerPoint
Economics
  • Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching
Government
  • American Elections: Democracy in Action
  • Pro-Life Boot Camp: Learning the Facts and Effective Communication
History
  • The Life and Legacy of St. John Paul II 
  • Foundations of Christian Historiography
  • Christian Architecture through the Ages 
  • The Great Depression: 1929-1941
  • Understanding the Second Vatican Council
Latin
  • Preparing for Intermediate Latin Boot Camp
  • Preparing for Advanced Latin Boot Camp
Life Skills
  • How to Be an Excellent Student
Literature
  • Introduction to Literature: Why & How to Study Literature
  • Humor in Literature 
  • How to Read Great Literature
  • Narnia for Young Adults: The Theology of The Chronicles of Narnia
  • The Hobbit: There and Back Again
  • Lord of the Rings
  • Tolkien for Young Adults: The Theology of Middle-Earth 
  • Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
  • Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton 
  • The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton
  • The Odyssey by Homer
  • The Iliad by Homer
  • Beowulf and Christ
  • Canterbury Tales of Geoffrey Chaucer; Trust God and Tradition
  • The Merchant of Venice
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • Hamlet
  • King Lear
  • The Twelfth Night
  • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
  • Sophocles and Tragedy
  • Death Comes for the Archbishop
  • Dracula
  • Frankenstein: Misunderstood Monster 
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray
  • Redemptive Comedy of Flannery O'Connor
Math
  • Introduction to Trigonometry
Philosophy/Logic
  • Fallacies and Paradoxes
Science
  • Health, Fitness, and Wellness
Speech & Communication
  • Leadership and Interpersonal Communication
Test Prep
  • The New SAT: What you need to Know to Score Well
  • ACT Test Prep
  • ACT/SAT English and Writing Test Prep
Theology
  • Discovering Your Authentic Beauty & Making Life Full and Fun for  Middle School Girls
  • True Radiance! Discovering Your Authentic Beauty as a Young Woman
  • The Trinity Explained
  • The Mass Explained
Writing
  • Punctuation & Grammar
  • Excellent Sentences and Paragraphs
  • Excellent Paragraphs and Essays
  • Fiction Writing Series (Creative Writing)
These are all great courses to take in summer as well, especially if you want to keep learning alive between the spring and fall semesters without too big of a commitment.

Friday, April 6, 2018

Top-10 List: Using Online Classes for Summer

Top Ten List
Using Unlimited Access for Summer Learning


No matter where your children go to school in the fall and spring, you are welcomed to take classes with Homeschool Connections this summer. Whether you want your children to get a Catholic perspective on certain subjects, receive some remedial help in an area, or take an upper-level course not available at their school, we're here to help.

Homeschool Connections offers two types of courses that cover a wide span of subjects. Today, let's talk about our recorded, independent-learning courses that you can take at your own pace and on your own schedule. (If you prefer live, interactive classes for summer here is our registration page: Homeschool Connections Registration.)

There are many different ways you can use Homeschool Connections' recorded classes through Unlimited Access to keep learning alive and fun over the summer. Here are ten ideas to get you started ... 

10. Take school with you.
We've had students take classes from hotel rooms, Grandma's house, the library, the car on the road, and even the beach. However, we don't recommend taking your laptop anywhere near sand! All you need for recorded classes is a power source, internet, and a computer. You should add earbuds or a headset to the list if you need privacy.

9. Plug the computer into the television.
This is a really fun way to learn together as a family. Pick a subject that everyone is interested in learning. It may be The Hobbit or World War II or American Sign Language or something completely different. Make some popcorn and watch together. You may need an HDMI cable and a newer TV (Mac users will need a converter). Recently, my teen added Chromecast to our laptop and that's what we use.

8. Pick a time that works best for you.
Recorded classes are available 24/7. You could watch classes first thing in the morning, getting them done early so the rest of the day can be spent outdoors. If you prefer, watch classes during lunch or just before bed in the evening. Pick the time that is going to help you keep up with your work throughout the summer.

7. Audit a course.
Watch a lecture each day and forgo the homework. For example, instead of taking 12 weeks for World History: 12 Inventions that Changed the World, watch the lectures over 12 days. When auditing, pick a subject that is easy for you. 

6. Buckle down on tough subjects.
Need help with algebra? Struggled with science last year? If so, buckle down and get to work. Set aside time each and every day (Sundays off!) and stick to the schedule. Complete all of the homework before moving to the next recorded lecture. If you want extra help, sign up for the optional grading support (Instructor Access).

5. Catch up on subjects for September.
Planning on taking Latin II next year but not quite ready? Perhaps illness or something else kept you from finishing Latin I this year. Whether you simply need a refresher or need to make up for lost time, there are a number of "boot camps" available in recording (math, Latin, and more).

4. Ask yourself, "What do I love?"
For example, do you get geeked about books? If so, choose a literature course on a book you love. Reread Romeo and Juliet as you watch Professor Pearce's lectures over a couple of weeks. Or Scarlet Letter, or Jane Eyre, or Dracula. You can choose from over 50 literature courses.

3. Summer is a great time to hone your writing skills
Writing is a key skill for success in all other school subjects. Focusing on writing skills over summer will help you do better in history, literature, and more when fall arrives. Homeschool Connections writing courses range from basic, foundational courses to advanced, college-preparatory courses. Other courses that help you succeed in core subjects include: How to Be an Excellent Student and How to Use Microsoft Word.

2. Keep a schedule and keep it simple. 
How many times have we all laid out grand plans, only to forget about them as the excitement wore off? Write out a reasonable schedule on a whiteboard or print it and post it. Program your computer or phone to remind you each day. Do something tangible to keep you on schedule.

You don't need a complicated schedule to be effective. Pick just one or two subjects. For example, maybe you weren't able to make time for philosophy in the fall and spring, but you know it would help you a lot to learn it and it sounds interesting. Focus just on philosophy courses for summer.

1. Take courses that raise your heart to God. All of our courses are taught through the lens of the Catholic Church. If you'd like to get the Catholic perspective in history or literature, this is the place. We also offer a wide range of theology and philosophy courses that help students experience God's teaching.

Bonus: Unlimited Access means just that!
You have unlimited access to 275 courses for your entire family. Yes, it's true! You can't beat the price ($30 per month!!!) and you can't beat the convenience. Middle school, high school, and adult students can easily learn year round with this independent learning program. It can be as easy or as complicated as you want to make it. It's YOUR program.

To learn more about our recorded, online, independent-learning classes, click here now: