Homeschooling Grade School with Unlimited Access

Grade School Unit Study Program
3^rd Through 6^th GradeCourse of Study Description
Recorded, Independent-Learning with Unlimited Access

2020-2021 School Year

Welcome!
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 recorded class to watch together.

How it Works
The full year course is segmented into three parts (Course 1, 2, and 3), hours usually taken 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.

 CLICK HERE FOR A FREE INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

Your Program DescriptionThe Four-Year Sequence
The entire program, currently under development, will span a four-year sequence based on the four volumes of TAN Books’ History series, The Story of Civilization. The four years of study are...

            Ancient History (TSoC, Volume 1, Year One), Currently Available in Unlimited Access
            Medieval History (TSoC, Volume 2, Year Two), Available starting Mid-February 2021
            The Modern World (TSoC, Volume 3, Year Three), Available starting Mid-February 2022
            US History (TSoC, Volume 4, Year Four), Available starting Mid-February 2023

Your Learning and Course Formats

Your Yearlong, Three-Part Ancient History Program:
The yearlong grade school unit study program is taught in three parts: Part One (13 weeks); Part Two (12 weeks); and a short Part Three (4 weeks). Take all three parts, to create a complete year of learning.

Lesson Plans for Daily Activities

Families are provided with daily lessons, checklists, and other resources and learning materials.

The Grade School Unit Study Program uses a four-day-week course of study: families work together on interactive lessons (guided materials and instruction) and watch a weekly class together. The fifth day can be a free day for museum visits, nature walks, co-op classes, play dates, etc.

Subjects
Your List of Subjects Scheduled for the Four School Days (Per Week) 

* History (30-60 minutes per day) 

* Literature Read-Aloud (30-60 minutes per day) 

* Greek & Latin Roots (10-15 minutes per day) 

* Poetry Memorization (10-15 minutes per day) 

* Creative Writing (Odd weeks, 60-90 minutes per week)

* Science (Even weeks, 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
Getting Your Texts/Books
The same texts are used for all three parts of the series.

●      New or used copies of the texts will work for use in this course. See BookFinder.com for the best prices.

●      Choosing Prices: The price range after each title reflects the lowest price (Kindle edition or used edition) to the highest price range (new and/or hardback edition).

Your Book List

Purchase or borrow the following books for the school year (required):

1.     The Story of Civilization (TSoC), Volume 1: The Ancient World by Phillip Campbell, (ISBN- 10: 1505105668; ISBN-13: 978-1505105667) (*New $20; pre-owned $12) (Used All Year) Note: Supplementary TSoC Student and Teacher texts and Audio/Video products are optional. Depending upon your budget, we recommend adding supplementary texts as tools for further engagement.

2.     Archimedes and the Door of Science, by Jeanne Bendick. (ISBN- 10: 9781883937126; ISBN-13: 978-1883937126) (*New $13; pre-owned $5) (Used Part One)

3.     D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths, by Ingri and Edgar d’Aulaire (ISBN- 10: 9780440406945; ISBN-13: 978-0440406945 (*New $14; pre-owned $5) (Used All Year)

4.     Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints, by Ethel Pochocki (ISBN- 10: 1932350268; ISBN-13: 978-1932350265) (*New $15; pre-owned $14) (Used All Year)

5.     Detectives in Togas, by Henry Winterfeld, (ISBN-10: 0152162801; ISBN- 13: 978-0152162801) (Fall 2019) (*New $7; pre-owned $3.50) (Used Part One)

6.     St. Paul the Apostle, by Mary Fabyan Windeatt (ISBN: 9780895554260) (*New $16; Pre-owned $8.50 BF) (Used Used Part Two and Three)

7.     Galen and the Gateway to Medicine, by Jeanne Bendick (ISBN: 9781883937751; ISBN-10: 1883937752) (*New $15; pre-owned $9.50) (Used Part Two and Three)

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS AND START LEARNING TODAY

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. Guide students with art and science projects.

3. Grade some student work (approximately 30-60 minutes per week, depending on family choice of enrichment activities).

4. Watch recorded class sessions 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. Computer-graded quizzes, project work instructions (science, art, history), and creative writing assignments.

3. A suggested daily schedule for the four-day school week. 

4. A list of optional supplementary books for solo reading for multiple grade levels.

5. A recorded class each week with the instructor.

Is Instructor Access offered for this course?

Yes! Mrs. Jackie de Laveaga is available for grading assistance. The course plan for each semester includes eight to ten assignments that are designed to be submitted for instructor grading. These assignments are in addition to the auto-graded quizzes and parent-graded assignments which are in the course. These instructor-graded assignments include science and history assignments, and art projects as well as creative writing assignments. Instructor Access is an optional service for parents who would like additional help for a fee.

Can I sign up for this course with Single Access?

Since the Grade School Unit Study Program is made up of multiple subjects, it is not eligible for the single-course price. It is available through Unlimited Access and can be used with multiple children.

Can my preschool to 2^nd grade children join in this course with older siblings?

Yes! Younger children can participate in read aloud time and activities with older brothers and sisters. Parents can adjust projects to a younger child’s ability. We recommend For the Love of Literature by Maureen Wittmann (Homeschool Connections Co-Founder) for picture books from the era. (www.beholdpublications.com/wordpress1/product/love-of-literature/?v=2320522a6676).

Can I coordinate the grade school program with your middle and high school courses?

Yes! Your older students can also get both LIVE, interactive courses and/or recorded, independent-learning 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.

When you give your middle and high school students courses in the same areas of History, Literature, Science, and more, you create a full, multi-grade study of the same era in your homeschool. Visit “The Four Year Cycle” article for more information on matching courses here:  http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.blogspot.com/search/label/4-Year%20Cycle.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS AND START LEARNING TODAY

Your Instructor
Jackie de Laveaga, M.Ed.

Your instructor for the Grade School Unit Study program is Mrs. Jackie de Laveaga.

Mrs. de Laveaga holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English and Secondary Education and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree with an emphasis in Language Arts Instruction. Her career and her experience include teaching online middle school and high school courses in writing, journalism, and humanities – as well as teaching live courses in literature, history, composition, and drama to students in grades 1 through college. Mrs. de Laveaga loves homeschooling and learning alongside her five children; two have graduated from college and married, one is in college, and two of her children are at home. You can reach Mrs. de Laveaga by email at delaveaga.hsc@gmail.com.

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!

 CLICK HERE FOR A FREE INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

Homeschooling Grade School, 3rd to 6th Grade

GRADE SCHOOL UNIT STUDY PROGRAM
3rd Through 6th Grade

Course of Study Description

CLICK HERE FOR A FREE INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR.

Welcome!
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 four years of study include...

                  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)

Year One, Ancient History, is Available in Recording
All three parts of the Ancient History year will be available in recording as an independent-learning unit beginning on June 15, 2020, for 24/7 Unlimited Access.

This School Year: Medieval History
Your 2020/2021 Grade School Unit Study Program focuses on Medieval History.

The 2021/2022 school year will cover the Making of the Modern World, and the 2022/2023 school year will be built around US History.

Coordination with the Middle and High School Programs
Coordinate Learning, Simplify Teaching
Your older students can also get both LIVE, interactive courses and/or recorded, independent-learning 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.

All Students, Same Subjects
Follow the resources provided here to make learning more concise, focused, and unified across all of your family’s learning experience. When you give your middle and high school students courses in the same areas of History, Literature, Science, and more, you create a full, multi-grade study of the same era in your homeschool. For choosing middle and high school courses, guidance is given for what courses “match” and what courses are available in both LIVE and recorded formats.

Visit “The Four Year Cycle” article for more information on matching courses here: http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.blogspot.com/search/label/4-Year%20Cycle.

Your Learning and Course Formats
Your Year-Long, Three-Part Program
The yearlong program 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.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? CLICK HERE FOR A FREE INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR.

Choosing Your LIVE Class Time
Your Class Times and Schedule (choose one)
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) 

OR

11:00 AM Eastern (10:00 Central; 9:00 Mountain; 8:00 Pacific)

OR

1:00 PM Eastern (Noon Central; 11:00 Mountain; 10:00 Pacific)

Part One
Fall 2020 -- Medieval History Unit Study (Part 1 of 3)

(13 weeks)
Class Dates: Classes begin September 14, 2020, and continue through December 14, 2020;
No class November 23, 2020
Mandatory Parent Meeting: September 14, 2020

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 registering on or before July 15, 2020. $279 after July 15 for all 13 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.)

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.)

Part Three
May 2021 -- Medieval History Unit Study (Part 3 of 3)

(4 weeks)
Class Dates: Classes begin May 3, 2021, and continue through May 24, 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: $89 if you register on or before November 15, 2020. $109 after Nov. 15 for all 4 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.)

 READY TO REGISTER? CLICK HERE FOR HOMESCHOOL CONNECTIONS REGISTRATION PAGE.

Your Instructor
Jackie de Laveaga, M.Ed.

Your instructor for the Grade School Unit Study program is Mrs. Jackie de Laveaga. Mrs. de Laveaga holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English and Secondary Education and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree with an emphasis in Language Arts Instruction. Her career and her experience include teaching online middle school and high school courses in writing, journalism, and humanities – as well as teaching live courses in literature, history, composition, and drama to students in grades 1 through college. Mrs. de Laveaga loves homeschooling and learning alongside her five children; two have graduated from college and married, one is in college, and two of her children are at home. You can reach Mrs. de Laveaga by email at delaveaga.hsc@gmail.com.

Subjects
Your List of Subjects Scheduled for the Four School Days (per week for 19 weeks)

* 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
Getting Your Texts/Books
The same texts are used for all three parts of the series.

●      New or used copies of the texts will work for use in this course. See BookFinder.com for the best prices.

●      Choosing Prices: The price range after each title reflects the lowest price (Kindle edition or used edition) to the highest price range (new and/or hardback edition).

●      Total Price: The low-cost options for these books can total approximately $79 and the highest cost options (all new/hardback) would cost approximately $200.

●      Text and Year Overlap: Some of the Medieval books will also be used in Year Three (Making of the Modern World).

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).

READY TO REGISTER? CLICK HERE FOR HOMESCHOOL CONNECTIONS REGISTRATION PAGE.

Let us know if you have any questions: Contact us here.

Four-Year Cycle Homeschooling

Four Year Cycle Utilizing Homeschool Connections

with UNLIMITED ACCESS

If you follow a four-year cycle, such as that used with Story of Civilization by Phillip Campbell, you can use recorded, independent-learning courses with Homeschool Connections for your 5th through 12th grade curriculum.

Here is a list of recorded courses through our Unlimited Access program that are currently available to you ...

MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ancient 

• Literature: Greek Mythology with Emily Henry (10 weeks)
• History: Dawn of History: Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Persia with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• History: The Glory of Ancient Greece with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• History: Res Publica Romana with Alison Stanley (10 weeks)
• Language: Middle School Latin, with Emily Henry Parts One and Two (12 weeks each)
• Language: Intermediate Middle School Latin Parts One and Two with Emily Henry (12 weeks each)
• Language: Biblical Greek, Parts One and Two with Dan Egan (13 and 14 weeks)

Medieval

• Literature/History: Living History Through Literature: Medieval History 1: Big John’s Secret with Jackie de Laveaga (6 weeks)
• Literature/History: Living History Through Literature: Medieval History 2: The Door in the Wall with Jackie de Laveaga (6 weeks)
• Literature/History: Living History Through Literature: Medieval History 3 Saint Joan, The Girl Soldier with Jackie de Laveaga (6 weeks) (available 7/15/19)
• Literature/History: Living History Through Literature: Medieval History 4: Red Hugh, Prince of Donegal with Jackie de Laveaga (6 weeks) (available 7/15/19)
• History: The Crusades: On A Quest for Christendom with Alison Stanley (10 weeks)

Renaissance through Modern 

• History: The French Revolution: “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, or Death” with Alison Stanley (10 weeks)
• History: The Life and Legacy of St. John Paul II with Kevin O'Brien (6 weeks)
• Literature: Anne of Green Gables, Part One with Emily Henry (12 weeks)
• Literature: Anne of Green Gables, Part Two with Emily Henry (12 weeks)
• Literature: Anne of Avonlea with Mrs. Henry (12 weeks)

American

• Literature/History: Living History Through Literature: American History 1: Kat Finds a Friend with Jackie de Laveaga (6 weeks)
• Literature/History: Living History Through Literature: American History 2 Thomas Finds a Treasure, a Saint John Neumann Story with Jackie de Laveaga (6 weeks)
• Literature/History: Living History Through Literature: American History 3 The Orphans Find a Home, A St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Story with Jackie de Laveaga (6 weeks) (available 7/15/19)
• Literature/History: Living History Through Literature: American History 4 Willy Finds Victory, A Blessed Francis Seelos Story with Jackie de Laveaga (6 weeks) (available 7/15/19)
• History: Middle School U.S. History: Part 1 (1492-1847) with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• History: Middle School U.S. History Part 2 (1847-1990) with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• History: The American Revolution; Liberty! with Alison Stanley (10 weeks)
• History: History: The Civil War with Alison Stanley (10 weeks)
• History: World War I; What Price Glory with Alison Stanley (9 weeks)
• History: World War II; Allies vs. Axis with Alison Stanley (10 weeks)
• History: U.S. History: The Age of Exploration to Modernity, Parts One and Two with Christopher Martin (14 weeks each)
• History: The Rise and Fall of the Missions of Alta California, Parts One and Two with Christopher Zehnder (12 weeks each)

HIGH SCHOOL
Ancient 

• History: Dawn of History: Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Persia with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• History: The Glory of Ancient Greece with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• History: The Life and Times of the Ancient Romans with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• History: Ancient Rome: Republic, Empire and Collapse with Christopher Martin (14 weeks)
• History/Archaeology: Archaeology of the Ancient World with Phillip Campbell (13 weeks)
• History/Archaeology: An Archaeological Survey of the Old and New Testaments with Phillip Campbell (10 weeks)
• Language: wide variety of Latin courses with Emily Henry (12 to 14 weeks each)
• Language: Biblical Greek, Parts One and Two (14 weeks each)
• Literature: The Iliad by Homer with Joseph Pearce (6 weeks)
• Literature: The Odyssey by Homer with Joseph Pearce (6 weeks)
• Literature: Sophocles and Tragedy with Henry Russell (6 weeks)
• Literature: Virgil’s Aeneid; The Founding of Nations in the Will of God with Henry Russell (7 weeks)

Medieval

• Philosophy: An Introduction to The Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas, Parts One and Two with Dave Palmer (12 weeks each)
• Philosophy: St. Thomas on the Human Person with Jean Rioux (12 weeks)
• History: The Crusades: Defending Christendom with Alison Stanley (12 weeks)
• History: Catholic Middle Ages with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• History: The Rending of Christendom (1415-1648) with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• Literature: Anglo-Saxon England: Bede and Beowulf with Joseph Pearce (6 weeks)
• Literature: Canterbury Tales of Geoffrey Chaucer; Trust God and Tradition with Henry Russell (4 weeks)
• Literature: Medieval Literature for Modern Catholics with Henry Russell (12 weeks)
• Literature: St. Francis, Asceticism and Mysticism with G.K. Chesterton with Dale Ahlquist (6 weeks)
• Literature: Dante’s Inferno; Purgatorio; and Paradiso with Henry Russell (11-12 weeks each)

Renaissance through Modern 

• Philosophy: Introduction to Early Modern Philosophy with Jean Rioux (12 weeks)
• Philosophy: Revolution: The Progress of Liberalism with Phillip Campbell (14 weeks)
• Psychology: Modern Psychology with Julian Ahlquist (12 weeks)
• History: Early Modern Europe: 1648-1789 with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• History: Modern European History; 1789-1991 with Phillip Campbell (14 weeks)
• History: Understanding the Second Vatican Council with Phillip Campbell (4 weeks)
• History: Totalitarianism in the 20th Century: Nazis and Soviets with Christopher Martin (14 weeks)
• Literature: A wide variety of Shakespeare courses
• Literature: Dracula by Bram Stoker with Eleanor Nicholson (6 weeks)
• Literature: The Victorian Detective with Eleanor Nicholson (12 weeks)
• Literature: Frankenstein: Misunderstood Monster with Joseph Pearce (6 weeks)
• Literature: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte with Eleanor Nicholson (6 weeks)
• Literature: The Nineteenth-Century Novel with Eleanor Nicholson (12 weeks)
• Literature: The Picture of Dorian Gray with Joseph Pearce (6 weeks)

American

• History: Early American History (1492 to 1763); Discovery to the Dawn of Revolution with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• History: US History: Revolution, Republic, and Union (1763-1865) with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• History: Modern American History; 1865 - 2000 with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks) (with optional Honors)
• History: Contemporary U.S. History (1988-2016) with Phillip Campbell (12 weeks)
• History: The Great Depression with Phillip Campbell (4 weeks)
• History: U.S. History: The Age of Exploration to Modernity, Part One with Christopher Martin (14 weeks)
• History: U.S. History: The Age of Exploration to Modernity, Part Two with Christopher Martin (14 weeks)
• History: The American South: "To Live and Die in Dixie" with Christopher Martin (14 weeks)
• History: A Nation Made by Conflict: America's Wars with Christopher Martin (14 weeks)
• History: Civil Rights in America, 1863-1968: Setbacks, Struggles, and Shockwaves with Christopher Martin (14 weeks)
• History: American History: Lands of Hope and Promise, Part One with Christopher Zehnder (12 weeks)
• History: American History: Lands of Hope and Promise, Part Two with Christopher Zehnder (12 weeks)
• History: American History, Part One: Age of Exploration through the Civil War and Reconstruction with John C. "Chuck" Chalberg (12 weeks)
• History: American History, Part Two: Reconstruction through Present Day with John C. "Chuck" Chalberg. (12 weeks)
• History: The History of Latin America with Phillip Campbell (13 weeks)
• History/Government: A History of Government in Europe and America, Parts One and Two with Christopher Zehnder (11 and 12 weeks)
• Government: American Elections: Democracy in Action with Ed Rivet (6 weeks)
• Government: Government, Democracy, and Citizenship with Ed Rivet (9 weeks)
• Government: American Democracy and Government with Ed Rivet (12 weeks)
• Government: The Federalist Papers with Alison Stanley (12 weeks)
• Government: Advanced American Government with Ed Rivet (9 weeks)
• Government: U.S. Citizenship and Civics with Jason Negri (12 weeks)
• Government: U.S. Government and Politics, Parts One and Two with Alison Stanley (12 weeks each)
• Literature: Scarlet Letter with Henry Russell (7 weeks)
• Literature: Death Comes for the Archbishop with Henry Russell (6 weeks)
• Literature: The Stories and Letters of Flannery O’Connor with Kevin O'Brien (8 weeks)
• Literature: American Literature, Part One: Age of Exploration through Reconstruction with Jackie de Laveaga (12 weeks)
• Literature: American Literature, Part Two: Reconstruction through Present Day with Jackie de Laveaga (12 weeks)

We are currently creating new grade school (3rd through 6th grade) courses based on TAN Books Story of Civilization and will be available in the future.

Please let us know in the comments if you have any questions. We also invite you to call or email us: CONTACT.

4-Year Cycle: Ancient History

ANNOUNCING Homeschool Connections' new four-year cycle for live, interactive courses ...

In response to requests from students and their parents, Homeschool Connections has organized a four-year cycle of coordinated courses for all students in your family, third through twelfth grade. This is so your entire family can learn about the same era at the same time, making life easier for parents and making school more fun for children. (We also offer alternate courses, not in the cycle.)

The four-year cycle includes:

• Grade-school unit studies (3rd through 6th grade)
• Middle-school history and literature courses (6th through 8th grade)
• High-school history, literature, and philosophy courses (9th through 12th grade)

The four eras in the cycle are:

• Ancient (starting Fall 2019)
• Medieval (starting Fall 2020)
• Renaissance through Modern (starting Fall 2021)
• American (starting Fall 2022)

NOTE: This is already available through our Unlimited Access program. We have recorded, independent-learning courses available for fifth through twelfth grade for all eras.

For the 2019/2020 school year, here are the live, interactive courses that are available utilizing the new four-year cycle ...

-- Grade School. Homeschool Connections has developed a brand new, online grade school unit study program based on Story of Civilization by Phillip Campbell (TAN Books). The unit study is geared for third through sixth grade and will include religion, history, language arts, and science. Taught by Jackie deLaveaga. Registration is open HERE.

-- Middle School. Click on the course title to learn more or register:

• History: The Ancient World, Part One. Fall 2019 taught by Phillip Campbell (12 weeks).
• History: The Ancient World, Part Two. Spring 2020 taught by Phillip Campbell (12 weeks).
• Literature: The Golden Goblet: Living History Through Literature (Ancient Era 1). Fall 2019 taught by Jackie deLaveaga (6 weeks).
• Literature: Black Ships Before Troy: Living History Through Literature (Ancient Era 2). Fall 2019 taught by Jackie deLaveaga (6 weeks).
• Literature: Victory on the Walls: Living History Through Literature (Ancient Era 3). Spring 2020 taught by Jackie deLaveaga (6 weeks).
• Literature: The Bronze Bow: Living History Through Literature (Ancient Era 4). Spring 2020 taught by Jackie deLaveaga (6 weeks).

-- High School. Click on the course title to learn more or register:

• Philosophy: Early Greek Philosophy. Fall 2019 taught by Julian Ahlquist (15 weeks).
• Philosophy: Virtue and Vice: Ancient Philosophy for Modern Catholics. Spring 2020 taught by Sam Nicholson (12 weeks).
• History: The Dawn of History: The Ancient World. Fall 2019 taught by Phillip Campbell (12 weeks).
• History: Christ and Caesar: The Ancient World and the Founding of Christendom. Spring 2020 taught by Phillip Campbell (12 weeks).
• Literature: The Theban Plays of Sophocles. Fall 2019 taught by Joseph Pearce (6 weeks).
• Literature: Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. Spring 2020 taught by Joseph Pearce (6 weeks).
• Literature: Iliad: The Glory and the Will of God. Fall 2019 taught by Henry Russell (12 weeks).
• Literature: Odyssey: The World Without Fathers. Spring 2020 taught by Henry Russell (12 weeks).

We also offer all levels of Latin. Search our registration page to find the right course for you or email us for a free Latin placement test.

ADDENDUM: Make sure to include your pre-k to 2nd grade children too! Here is a great picture book list for the Ancients (and accompanying podcast) from Sarah Mackenzie of Read-Aloud Revival, https://readaloudrevival.com/108/. Have your older children read aloud to your littles for a win-win homeschool day (lessons reinforced for the bigs, littles are included, Mom gets a break).

16 Easy Chapter Books to Encourage Emerging Readers

WHEN YOUR GRADE SCHOOL CHILD WANTS TO READ HIS OR HER OWN BOOKS
by Maureen Wittmann

I've written a few booklists recently that went viral. Booklists of read alouds for young boys and girls. But what about books children can read on their own? Chapter books that make them feel a little more grown up?

Those of you who know me, know I have a special love for picture books. I believe they have great value and they should not be put aside even when our little children become big children. However, many picture books are created to be read by parents, not grade school children themselves. Today, let's focus on some easy books that our emerging readers can hold in their hands and feel confident. Let them read aloud to you for a change.

Make sure to mix it up -- hard books interspersed with easier books. The hard books will challenge them and the easy books will give them confidence. End any lesson with the easy book so that your child finishes feeling upbeat about reading.

Start with phonetic readers (first three on the list below) as they will tie into your phonics / phoneme lessons. Only follow with easy chapter books after your child has a solid foundation of reading skill. This is because you don't want to train them to be "sight readers". If their books include too many words they can't yet sound out, you could end up discouraging them instead of encouraging them.

Many of the books on this list can be found easily at the public library. When picking your books from the library shelf, check out similar titles. Most of these books are just one of a series -- see what else is in the library from a favorite series. This way your child can actively choose books to read on her own, and will take a more active (and fun!) role in her education.

Some of these are fairly long and your child may only read a portion of the book at each sitting. Don't go too long if your child is struggling. Get a special bookmark to save your child's place. This is good practice for future reading. (PS I would not buy these as digital books as the illustrations may not be included or may be of lower quality.)

If you click on the book titles below, they will take you to reviews and order information. (Some contain affiliate links.) If you end up purchasing online through these links, check the ordering pages for "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought" or check out other books by the same author. This way you can discover even more book ideas for your child.

PS If you're looking for a good reading program, especially if you have a struggling reader, I highly recommend True North Reading. 

We'll start with a few, simple phonetic readers and then move to easy chapter books, which are listed in order of difficulty.

16 EASY BOOKS FOR NEW READERS

Bob Books by Bobbie Maslen [Scholastic Books]
You don't get more basic than Bob Books. They are perfect (IMO) for children just learning how to read. These were especially helpful for my struggling readers as they are so very simple.

Little Stories for Little Folks by Nancy Nicholson [Catholic Heritage Curricula]
I'm a CHC and Nancy Nicholson fan. Stories are printed on 8½"x11" sheets your child can fold into little booklets. I would reward my child by letting him color the booklet once he mastered reading it. Note: It appears that you can no longer purchase just the readers and have to buy the whole phonics program.

Little Angel Readers by Linda Bromeyer [Stone Tablet Press]
These are personal favorites of mine. They are very colorful and faith-filled. I used Little Angel Readers with all seven of my children and plan to pass them down to my grandchildren.

Hop on Pop (I Can Read It All By Myself) by Dr. Seuss, 72 p.
Dr. Seuss's first published book, The Cat in the Hat, like Hop on Pop, was a beginning reader, designed to be read by the child, not the parent. It was one solution to the ever-boring Dick and Jane books. They were intended to promote the "Look-Say" method of reading. I'm no a fan of look-say, but Hop on Pop, The Cat in the Hat, Fox in Socks, One Fish Two Fish ... and Seuss's other beginning readers still have a place on my shelf.

Go, Dog. Go! (I Can Read It All By Myself, Beginner Books) by P.D. Eastman, 72 p.
I still remember reading this and Are You My Mother as a child. They were my favorite books and P. D. Eastman probably played a part in my love of the written word. Published in 1961 it still plays well today. Other Eastman titles include Big Dog Little Dog, The Best Nest, and Flap Your Wings.

Dig, Dogs, Dig: A Construction Tail (I Can Read Level 1) by James Horvath, 32 p.
Cute little chapter book for your animal lover or LEGO builder.

I'll Teach My Dog 100 Words by Michael Frith, 36 p.
This one is illustrated by P. D. Eastman, though not authored by him. It's a fun rhyming book that also covers the importance of vocabulary and learning new things.

Henry And Mudge First Book by Cynthia Rylant, 40 p.
Part of the Ready to Read series and first in Rylant's Henry and Mudge series. Sweet story about a boy and his dog.

Kate Skates (Penguin Young Readers Level 2) by Jane O'Connor, 32 p.
If you're a Wittmann, you skate. So, this was one of the first easy chapter books assigned to my children in grade school.

Adventures of Frog and Toad (I Can Read Series) by Arnold Lobel, 76 p.
A collection of stories about best friends. A classic that's been around almost 50 years.

Adventures of Little Bear (An I Can Read Book) by Else Holmelund Minaret, 160 p.
This is a collection of three Little Bear stories. This was a definite favorite when my children were little. If you're a fan of the TV show, it's a must to own.

Adventures of Amelia Bedelia (I Can Read Series) by Peggy Parish, 64 p.
I still laugh every time I think of Amelia Bedelia. These easy chapter books are simply a hoot. Amelia is silly and fun. And, boy, can she make a great pie!

Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, 80 p.
This is the story of "the world's greatest detective". It's a fun introduction to mystery stories for grade school children. Today Nate. Tomorrow Father Brown.

A Bargain For Francis (I Can Read Level 2) by Russell Hoban, 64 p.
A sweet little story about what it means to be a friend, a real friend.

Lewis and Clark: A Prairie Dog for the President (Step into Reading, Step 3) by Shirley Raye Redmond, 48 p.
A fun book that combines American history with reading practice. Other American history titles in this series, and at Level 3, we enjoyed are Abe Lincoln's Hat and Sam the Minute Man.

Greg's Microscope (I Can Read Level 3) by Millicent E. Selsam, 64 p.
I originally bought this book for no other reason than my emerging reader at the time is named Greg. However, it turned out to be a nice book to supplement our science lessons in addition to providing reading practice. 

So, there you have it. These are just the tip of the iceberg -- please share your favorites in the comments below.

A side note on audiobooks: I'm a big fan of audiobooks. However, I would not invest the time or money in audio editions of these books unless you'd like your child to listen while they read the physical book. The suggested books here do not bring great literary value to the table. They are simply useful for reading practice. Personally, I save my audio budget (or time borrowing from the library) for Narnia and Middle Earth.