Common Core Explained in 30 Minutes (or so)

We've been getting a few questions about Common Core recently.

"Does Homeschool Connections plan to change their curriculum to align with the Common Core standards?" No.

"Will Common Core affect homeschoolers?" Yes, indirectly. At this time we are not required by law to follow the standards. However, some textbook companies plan to make changes to texts popular with homeschoolers. Also, ACT and SAT tests may also align with the standards. And, of course, it affects the society we live in as a whole.

The biggest question is, "What exactly is Common Core?" Here is a series of simple videos that explain how Common Core came about and what it is exactly:

High School Scope and Sequence: Catholic Homeschooling

Below is a very basic scope and sequence for high school. It is followed by a more detailed scope and sequence using Homeschool Connections online courses.

Basic Scope and Sequence 
for the College-Bound High School Student

GRADE 9 
Theology
Ancient Literature
Ancient History
Grammar and Composition
Algebra I
Earth Science or Physical Science
Latin I or other language

GRADE 10 
Theology
Classic Literature
European History
Creative Writing
Geometry
Biology
Latin II or other language

GRADE 11 
Theology
Modern / American Literature
American History
Vocabulary and Writing
Chemistry or elective
Algebra II or elective
Economics / Personal Finance 

GRADE 12
Advanced Theology
Advanced Literature
World History
Advanced Writing
Physics or Elective
Pre-Calculus or Elective
U.S. Government / Law 

Basic Scope and Sequence in Action
Here is one way a parent could plan their high school student's coursework using the above scope and sequence with Homeschool Connections' online courses (Unlimited Access). This can easily be adjusted to your student's needs by adding, subtracting, or substituting courses.

GRADE 9
Fall
Theology: Introduction to Catholic Apologetics
Ancient Literature: Homer's Odyssey; and Illiad
Ancient History: Ancient Greece
Grammar and Composition: Elements of Writing; and Paragraphs & Essays
Algebra: Algebra I, Part One (Saxon)
Earth Science or Physical Science: Available 2015
Latin I or other language: Latin I, Part One (Spanish and German also available)

Winter/Spring
Theology: Defending the Bible in Modern Times; or Making Sense of Mary
Ancient Literature: Sophocles; and Virgil's Aeneid
Ancient History: Ancient Rome
Grammar and Composition: Simplified Writing
Algebra I: Algebra I, Part Two (Saxon)
Earth Science or Physical Science: Available 2015
Latin I or other language: Latin I, Part Two (Spanish and German also available)

GRADE 10
Fall
Theology: Peter and the Papacy
Classic Literature: Beowulf; Canterbury Tales; and King Arthur
European History: Catholic Middle Ages
Creative Writing: Fiction Writing Series
Geometry: Geometry I, Part One (Saxon)
Biology: Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition series
Latin II or other language: Latin II, Part One (Spanish and German also available)

Winter/Spring
Theology: Advanced Catholic Apologetics
Classic Literature: MacBeth; Romeo and Juliet; and Hamlet
European History: Roots of the Revolt; and Age of Religious Wars
Creative Writing: Fiction Writing Series
Geometry: Geometry, Part Two (Saxon)
Biology: Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition series
Latin II or other language: Latin II, Part Two (Spanish and German also available)

GRADE 11
Fall
Theology: Introduction to the Bible (Old and New Testament)
Modern Literature: Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis; The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton
American History: Early American History
Vocabulary and Writing: Vocabulary and Writing; Part 1
Chemistry or elective: Chemistry I, Part One (with optional honors track); or Thomistic Philosophy, Part One
Algebra II or elective: Algebra II, Part One (Saxon); or Logic I
Economics: Economics As If People Matter

Winter/Spring
Theology: Understanding the Mass; and Understanding the Trinity
American Literature: The Scarlet Letter; and Death Comes for the Archbishop
American History: U.S. History
Vocabulary and Writing: Vocabulary and Writing, Part 2
Chemistry or elective: Chemistry I, Part Two (with optional honors track); or Thomistic Philosophy, Part Two
Algebra II or elective: Algebra II, Part Two (Saxon); or Logic II
Economics / Personal Finance: Catholic Social Teaching; and Personal Finance for Teens

GRADE 12
Fall
Advanced Theology: Theology of the Body; and Ecclesiology & Sacramental Theology
Advanced Literatur: Dante's Divine Comedy
World History: 12 Inventions that Changed the World
Advanced Writing: Advanced Rhetoric
Physics or Elective: Physics available in 2015; or Environmental Science; or Early Modern Philosophers
Pre-Calculus or Elective: Advanced Topic in Mathematics, Part One; or elective
U.S. Government: Government, Democracy, and Citizenship; and Advanced Government

Winter/Spring
Advanced Theology: Moral Theology; and Christian Anthropology
Advanced Literature: Dante's Divine Comedy continued
World History: Modern World History
Advanced Writing: Advanced Report Writing
Physics or Elective: Physics available in 2015; or Philosophy of God
Pre-Calculus or Elective: Advanced Topics in Mathematics, Part Two; or elective
U.S. Government / Law: Constitutional Law; or The First Amendment

 By following this scope and sequence, parents can be assured of a well-rounded education for their homeschooled student that will prepare them for life after high school.

We Have Winners!

Thank you to everyone who entered The Ultimate Catholic Homeschool Giveaway! The contest ended Saturday at midnight (Pacific time). All of the winners were contacted yesterday via email.

I have to tell you all that it may be more fun telling people that they won than winning yourself! Some of our book winners were just as excited as our iPad winner. There was joy everywhere!

Just because I love numbers here are all the stats ...

759 Unique entries
6  Average entries per person
4546 Entries
7921 Points (some entries got multiple points)
10.4 Average points per person

759 Easy Entries (mandatory entry)
766 Another Easy Entry (could enter daily for extra points)
845 Yet Another Easy Entry (could enter daily for extra points)
584 Join the Homeschool Connections Mailing List (5 points)
224 Leave a Comment on the Blog
19  Refer a Friend (could refer multiple friends and therefore get multiple points)
385 Like Homeschool Connections on Facebook (3 points)
281 Like Maureen Wittmann on Facebook
304 Like For the Love of Literature on Facebook
124 Follow Homeschool Connections on Twitter
255 Follow Homeschool Connections on Pinterest (2 points)

20 WINNERS!