Free Webinar: High School Writing

Addendum: Last night's webinar went fantastic! Even though you missed the live webinar, you can still watch it for FREE because it was recorded. You can either stream it live or download to your computer here:
Live Streaming: Simplified Writing for High School
Download: Simplified Writing for Middle School

Refresh! Midwinter Homeschool Conference 

Simplified Writing: What Every High School Student Needs to Know to Succeed

(click on webinar title to register) 

Date: Monday, February 4, 2013
Starting time: 8:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time
Duration: 1 hour plus Q&A
Presenter: E. B. Conroy (Erin)
Description: Every student needs to know how to write! Whether your student is going to college or simply wants to succeed in life—there are critical how-to skills for writing that get the good grade and business promotion. Come to this FREE one-hour free webinar (plus Q&A) to learn the 7 most important skills of writing—and how to easily teach them to your teen. Get inspired—and learn how to inspire your teen to love writing!

Speaker biography:
Erin is an instructor for Homeschool Connections and also a professor for Patrick Henry College. She is an author of several non-fiction books, including the recently published Simplified Writing 101: Top Secrets for College Writing Success. Professor Brown Conroy has designed four college writing courses, including an AP English Language and Composition course for PHC Preparatory Academy online. Professor Brown Conroy also speaks at conferences on the teaching of writing. A member of the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators, she is also a fiction writing coach for high school and college students and has judged writing contests. She is also a freelance professional writer and ghostwriter. Professor Brown Conroy also authored True North Reading: The Complete Mastery Reading and Spelling Program, a five-level multisensory learn-to-read program for children ages 3 to 15. Professor Brown Conroy has been homeschooling for 27 years. She enjoys her two Australian Labradoodles, playing the Irish wooden flute, and homeschooling five of her 13 children who still live at home.
Sponsor: We are very grateful to the companies who sponsor the Refresh! Conference. They partner with us to cover the expenses that accompany a conference of this magnitude. We are grateful for Celtic College Consultants sponsorship for this talk. (Thank you!) Please visit their website (by clicking on their name) to learn how you can get the best scholarships for your children.

Speakers for the Refresh! Conference

Renew! Rejuvenate! Recharge!

We have some great speakers lined up for the Refresh! Virtual Midwinter Conference. Here are their biographies:

Joseph Pearce
Professor Pearce is an internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include G. K. Chesterton: Wisdom and Innocence, Literary Converts, Tolkien: Man and Myth, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile, The Quest for Shakespeare, and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. Professor Pearce converted to the Catholic faith in 1989. As a younger man, Pearce was “extremely anti-Catholic” and even had opposed Pope John Paul II’s visits to England. His viewpoint gradually shifted as he learned more about the writings and beliefs of the literary converts he would later profile, particularly G. K. Chesterton. As Writer in Residence and professor of literature at St. Thomas More College in New Hampshire, Pearce also serves as Editor of the Saint Austin Review and is editor-in-chief of Sapientia Books. Professor Pearce shares his expertise and enthusiasm with Catholic high school students as an instructor for Homeschool Connections, teaching Shakespearean literature.

A native of Great Britain, Pearce relocated to the United States in 2001 to serve at Ave Maria University. An accomplished teacher and speaker, Pearce has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events throughout the U.S., Britain, Europe, and Canada. He has served as a consultant for film documentaries on J. R. R. Tolkien and Alexander Solzhenitsyn. His thirteen-part television series, The Quest for Shakespeare, has appreaded on EWTN.

Professor Pearce's free webinar for Refresh! is: The Catholic Revival from Newman to Tolkien (click on title to register).

Nancy Brown
Nancy is our resident expert on Frances Chesterton, wife of the British Author G.K. Chesterton. Nancy has compiled a collection of Frances's plays and poetry which was published last year, and is just finishing up her biography, which will be out either late this year or next. Frances was instrumental in Gilbert's conversion, and there are many who say that when the cause for Gilbert's canonization is opened, it should be opened together, for Gilbert and Frances, as a married couple.

Nancy also has 2 Chestertonian study guides to help high school parents introduce their teens to Chesterton, a study guide for Chesterton's biography of St. Francis of Assisi and a study guide to the first Father Brown mystery, The Blue Cross. For younger children, Nancy has adapted the Father Brown stories for ages 8 to 12 with the Father Brown Reader One and Two. Nancy works at the American Chesterton Society as their Social Media Manager. She has spoken at their conferences, and writes for Gilbert Magazine.

Mrs. Brown's free webinar for Refresh! is:  Your Own Toy Theater: G.K. Chesterton's Legacy with Children (click on title to register).

Rita Munn
Rita and her husband Ronald are the parents of 10 grown children. They have been on the homeschooling journey for approximately 20 years and have found that journey to filled with enough challenge to make it interesting and enough fun to make it joyfilled. God is good and in His gracious and abundant mercy He allows that our journey continue and remain the focus of our family life. Catholic homeschooling continues to be a very real part of our life and watching the new generation of grandchildren begin is indeed a great blessing.

Mrs. Munn's free webinar for Refresh! is: Fueling the Peace Lamp to Prevent Burnout (click on title to register).

Katherine O'Brien
Katherine is the founder and principal college planning specialist at Celtic College Consultants where she's been serving families all across the USA since 2004. As an award winning speaker who has addressed local, regional, and national educational conferences, she is known for her no nonsense style and her ability to get to the heart of the matter quickly. Katherine, a graduate of Northwestern University in engineering and Franciscan University of Steubenville with a Master's in Theology, is a seasoned home educator with over a dozen years of teaching experience. Her first book, The Ultimate Guide to Getting Top Quality College Planning is due to be released through Amazon in February, 2013. She resides in southern California with her six children and can be found online at www.CelticCollegeConsultants.com.

Mrs. O'Brien's free webinar for Refresh! is: 20 Factors Admission Committees Consider and How Students Can Develop Themselves into Excellent Applicants and College Students (click on title to register).

Mary Ellen Barrett
Mary Ellen is a homeschooling mother of eight children. She is a longtime columnist for The Long Island Catholic (Life in Our Domestic Church) and speaks on a variety of topics at Catholic conferences and parishes around the United States. Mary Ellen is currently working on two books, on about mothering a large family and the other is an Advent Books of Days. She can be found blogging at Tales from the Bonny Blue House and during the Advent season at O Night Divine.

Besides writing and blogging, Mary Ellen enjoys cooking, sewing, photography, and studying theology.

Mrs. Barrett's free webinar for Refresh! is: How to Homeschool and Not Lose Your Mind (click on title to register).

Erin Brown Conroy
Erin is an instructor for Homeschool Connections and also a professor for Patrick Henry College.  She is an author of several non-fiction books, including the recently published Simplified Writing 101: Top Secrets for College Writing Success.  Professor Brown Conroy has designed four college writing courses, including an AP English Language and Composition course for PHC Preparatory Academy online. Professor Brown Conroy also speaks at conferences on the teaching of writing. A member of the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators, she is also a fiction writing coach for high school and college students and has judged writing contests. She is also a freelance professional writer and ghostwriter. Professor Brown Conroy also authored True North Reading: The Complete Mastery Reading and Spelling Program, a five-level multisensory learn-to-read program for children ages 3 to 15. Professor Brown Conroy has been homeschooling for 27 years. She enjoys her two Australian Labradoodles, playing the Irish wooden flute, and homeschooling five of her 13 children who still live at home.

Professor Brown Conroy's free webinars for Refresh! are:
Simplified Writing: What Every High School Student Needs to Succeed 
Simplified Writing: What Every MIDDLE School Student Needs to Succeed
Healthy Mind, Happy Heart: How to Build Your Child's Attitude and Focus
Schooling Multiple Ages: Tips from a Mom of 13 (Homeschooling 27 Years and Counting)
Balanced Parenting: Real Actions that Make Parenting Easier 
(click on title of your choice to register)

Ana Braga-Henebry
Ana homeschools her seven children with her husband, Geoff Henebry, a research scientist and university professor. They live in an acreage north of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Ana has an art degree from the St. Teresa d'Avila College, Brazil, and a Masters in Humanities/Aesthetic Studies from The University of Texas at Dallas. The family has lived in Texas, Kansas, Brazil, New Jersey, and Nebraska as they followed Geoff's career in academia.  Today they are experimenting with acreage life, collecting fresh eggs daily, and attempting to care for vegetable gardens in South Dakota, which is a long way from Ana's childhood years in the very big city of Rio de Janeiro.

Ana reviewed children's and parenting materials for Parent Council, LTD. from 1994 until 2002. She has enjoyed reviewing for Love2Learn, the premier Catholic Resources reviews site, since March 2006. Ana writes a monthly feature for Faith & Family Live and has worked on a variety of writing projects. She has also been on the editorial board of mater et magista, the Catholic homeschooling periodical, writing both feature articles and book reviews, since its inception. She blogs vignettes of family and acreage life with pictures, recipes, and occasional favorite books or opinions on contemporary issues at anabragahenebrysjournal.blogspot.com.

Mrs. Henebry's free Refresh! webinar is: Twenty Years of the Henebry Homeschool; What Worked for Us (click on title to register).

Maria Rioux
Maria began her undergraduate studies at Thomas Aquinas College. There she met her husband, Jean, Homeschool Connections' philosophy instructor and chair of the philosophy department at Benedictine College (where Maria is a theology major slowly completing her degree).  Together they have been homeschooled their nine children for more than 20 years. In those early days of homeschooling there were not many resources available. As a consequence, they developed their own curriculum which reflects their love for classical education as well as their affection for Charlotte Mason.

Maria is owner and co-moderator of the yahoo group The History Place. She loves to write and is a regular contributor to mater et magistra magazine. She is also a reviewer for Love2Learn.

Maria has been a speaker at homeschooling conferences and a guest lecturer at Benedictine College. Her talks include: Living the Liturgical Year in the Domestic Church, The Woman's Role in the Church, The Best of Both: Merging a Classical Education with Charlotte Mason's Methods, The Blessings in Crosses, and Ora et Labora: Service as Prayer. Maria is a member of the planning committee which helped to develop the Charlotte Mason based curriculum, Mater Amabilis. She is a contributing author to Cay Gibson's book, Literature Alive! 

Mrs. Rioux's free webinar for Refresh! is Ora et Labora: Loving Service as Prayer (click on title to register).

Carol Reynolds, Ph.D.
Professor Carol was Associate Professor of Music History at the Meadows School of the Arts, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas for 20 years. More recently, she has served the homeschooling community through her curriculum Discovering Music: 300 Years of Interaction in Music, Arts, History, and Culture. Professor Carol will begin as an instructor for Homeschool Connections in the 2013/2014 school year.

Carol is a uniquely talented and much sought-after speaker for arts venues and general audiences. Never dull or superficial, Carol brings to her audiences a unique mix of humor, substance, and skilled piano performance to make the arts more accessible and meaningful to all. Carol has led tours to Russia, Austria, Germany, San Francisco, and Broadway on behalf of several arts organizations. Her enthusiasm and boundless energy give tour participants an unforgettable experience. She makes her home on a farm near Bowie, Texas, where, with her husband and teenage daughter, she raises La Mancha goats and soaks up the rich cultural heritage of rural America. The family maintains a second residence in Weimar, Germany — the home of Goethe, Schiller, Bach, and Liszt, and the focal point of much of Europe’s artistic heritage.

Professor Carol's free webinars for Refresh! are:
Bringing American Geography and History Alive through the Arts
Transitioning to College: Top Five Skills for Academic Success
(click on title of your choice to register).

Renew! Rejuvenate! Recharge!

 

Free Catholic Homeschool Conference Online

Renew! Rejuvenate! Recharge!

Hey! I'm totally excited to tell you about this!

First, I have to ask you ... Have you ever felt those midwinter doldrums? Does homeschooling tend to bog down for you during certain times of the year? I know it does for me. Here's something we can get excited about!

Beginning in next week, you'll get a chance to rejuvenate your spirit, encourage your heart, and feel inspired & recharged in your homeschooling with our upcoming series of FREE webinars for homeschool parents (Yes, 14 webinars that you attend from home, all free, with nationally known speakers)--all online and even recorded, spread out over the month of February, so that you can get great inspiration and ideas exactly when you need it.

Click here to see a list of all the talks and register: Refresh! Midwinter Virtual Conference. 

February is known as "Burnout Month" in homeschooling circles, and we thought it would be good to help us all get through that tough month with something extraordinary: the Refresh! Midwinter Virtual Conference.

Refresh! begins Monday, February 4, and lasts through the entire month of February with a full schedule of practical how-to helps, to keep your homeschool vital, alive, and fun! When you come, you'll join us online and have access to speakers who will do everything from encouraging you in your vocation to giving you great practical tips to apply every day.

We pray that February 2013 will be your best month ever for homeschooling and for your family--so that you no longer think of February as as Burnout Month, but instead, as Refresh! Month. Please pray for us as we organize this free online conference.

Review: The Complete Catholic Homeschool Planner

The Complete Catholic Homeschool Planner 
Review by Maria Rioux 

The Complete Catholic Homeschool Planner is just that: it organizes everything you need to plan the year, and then some. It opens with a school year calendar, for this year and for next, so one can easily determine what date one would like to start, when to schedule breaks, and when to close out the year.

I really like the simple overview, with all the dates for the whole year on one page, both sides. One can then easily determine the number of school days per month, number for each quarter, and total number of days for the year. This, of course, is essential in planning out the syllabus for each child. I've never actually planned out our school year in this way as we always follow my husband's teaching schedule, which works best for us as some of our children attend the same college were he teaches. If he were not a professor with a built in teaching schedule, this simple way to concretely plan out the year, month by month, would give me peace while also keeping me honest at those times when I would be tempted to ditch the plan.

For each child there is an opening page to help you consider the best approach/how to tailor this year to his particular strengths and weaknesses. Like the year plan, it's a simple overview: learning style, strengths, weaknesses, goals, subject to over, programs/curricula of interest, books to use, and a place for additional notes all on one page. It's a great way to reflect on the individual child before drafting a plan for him. There is then a section to, in a general way, plan out the year, then each quarter(referred to as term), followed by weekly outline forms and a page for notes. In another section there are forms for daily lesson plans, starting with an overview for the month and followed by forms for detailed daily lesson planning. There is a separate section for grading, organized by daily grades and quarter test grades. It makes record keeping a snap, with everything in one place: the yearly plan neatly broken down but tailored to each child, followed by an accounting of his accomplishments. It would give one a concrete sense of the progress the child is making, as well as a sense of where he might be struggling and what might need tweaking/extra attention.

The Complete Catholic Homeschool Planner supplies extra forms: attendance forms, and a student page I really like. I wish I had thought to do something like this when we were starting homeschooling 24 years ago. It records the height, weight, signature, likes, dislikes, and personal goals for the beginning and end of the school year, and separating the two is a spot to put a picture. It is such a lovely idea. Not only would I have treasured such a record, I think our children would have enjoyed seeing the changes over the years.

There are also forms for extracurricular activities, music, reading, audio/visual and website logs, as well as forms for planning the coming year: books and topics to consider, and notes. I like the contact pages at the end of the planner, because I could have the names, addresses, phone numbers and emails of all my homeschooling friends all in one place.

Best of all, it is wonderfully Catholic. There is a whole section titled, "For the Love of God". It begins with a list of prayers, each geared toward ordering the day to doing the will of God with love and obedience. There are those which focus upon the child, the mother, the family and one's husband, plus novenas. There are prayers I was familiar with, but some I expected to know yet had never heard before, and now plan to say at the end of each day. For example, An Act of Contrition:

Forgive me my sins, O Lord, forgive me my sins; the sins of my youth, the sins of my age, the sins of my soul, the sins of my body; my idle sins, my serious voluntary sins, the sins I know, the sins I do not know, the sins I have concealed so long, and which are now hidden from my memory. I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial, for all the sins of my childhood up to the present hour. I know my sins have wounded Thy tender Heart, O my Savior. Let me be freed from the bonds of evil through Thy most bitter passion, O my Redeemer. Amen. O Jesus, help me with Thy grace to avoid all sin. Amen.

The feast days of the saints are listed (according to the traditional calendar). There is a section for recording your prayer intentions, virtues to work on, as well as your plan to concretely work on those virtues.

Lastly, on each page of the daily lesson plans there is an inspirational quote from a saint. Some will be familiar, but some were certainly new to me and perfect for mothers, fathers, and children alike. For example:

Consider every day that you are then, for the first time, as it were, beginning; and always act with the same fervor as on the first day you began.
     ~ St. Anthony of Padua. 

The Complete Catholic Homeschool Planner supplies enough forms for five students. If that is not enough, permission is granted to print more for the school year. It is spiral bound and very sturdy.

The cover is beautiful: Mary with the Child Jesus cradled in one arm, and a spotless lamb in the other. Both the front cover and the back are of glossy card stock, and the various sections are separated by tabbed dividers for ease of use. They're strong and capable dividers, too, and will stand the test of time and use. You could take this around with you everywhere and it would hold up.

For ordering information please visit: Cascia Books

24 New Online Courses Now

Twenty Four Reasons to Try Unlimited Access! with Homeschool Connections

With the start of the Spring 2013 semester, we've added 24 brand new recorded courses to our catalog of 100 courses, bringing us to 124! Yes, 124 recorded courses for independent learning in your homeschool. The wonderful thing is that you can have Unlimited Access to all 124 courses for only $30 a month. It's the best deal in Catholic Homeschooling today. Click here: Unlimited Access to learn how.

Here are the 24 new courses:

• German I; German is Fun! Part One 
• Latin III; Wheelock, Part One 
• Spanish ½: Beginning Spanish, Part One 
• Spanish II; Intermediate Spanish, Part One 
• Constitutional Law: Supreme Court Jurisprudence I 
• Early American History (1492-1763); Discovery to the Dawn of Revolution 
• Middle School History: The American Revolution; Liberty! 
• Literature: The Hobbit; There and Back Again for Middle School 
• Literature: The Hobbit; There and Back Again for High School 
• Literature: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings for Middle School 
• Literature: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings for High School 
• Math: Algebra 2, Part One 
• Math: Geometry, Part One 
• Logic II; Advanced Formal Logic 
• Thomistic Christian Philosophy: An Overview 
• Health, Fitness, and Wellness for Middle School Students 
• Environmental Science 
• Musculoskeletal System and Nervous System (Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition) 
• Apologetics: Defending the Bible in a Modern World 
• Middle School Writing II: Essays and Papers 
• Advanced High School Writing; Rhetoric, Figures of Speech, Essays, & Papers 
• Characters and Dialogue (Write Your Own Book Fiction Writing Series) 
• Theme, Style, and Point of View (Write Your Own Book Fiction Writing Series) 
• Conflict and Creating the Breakout Novel (Write Your Own Book Fiction Writing Series) 

Next semester we will be adding another 21 brand new titles for you and your family.

Thomistic Philosophy: Independent Learning

Thomism? Thomistic Philosophy? Natural Theology? Sounds awful lofty doesn't it? Surely too heady for a high school student!

We invite you to think again as you read these comments from our Thomistic Philosophy students from the Fall 2012 semester ...

• "To me, Thomas Aquinas always seemed like a very advanced kind of theology. Only scholars ever read him. I was surprised to find how readable he was, and how simple many of his teachings were. The content was so informative." 
• "I have gone from a person who was ignorant of Thomistic Philosophy to a junior Thomist." 
• "Mr. Palmer explained Aquinas very clearly. He used lots of examples and pictures to reinforce points, and it made the material seem relevant to the modern world." 
• "The Summa Theologica seemed boring to me before and now I have a much better understanding of it and I think I will read the Summa just for fun now." 
• "I love the Summa now and the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas." 
• "The homework was very hard but it made me think differently about things in a wonderful way. Mr. Palmer, in my opinion, is a genius when it comes to explaining Thomas and the Summa." 
• "The homework for this class was very good. Mr. Palmer was enthusiastic and knowledgable. He made things easy to understand, and he was a great teacher!" 
• "If I didn't have a good grasp of something, it was sure to come out when I did the homework. It forced me to really understand the material so I could summarize it." 
• "I would like you to make Mr. Palmer do several more follow-up classes. He is a great teacher and this has been my favorite class I have ever taken." 
• "Thank you Mr. Palmer and HSC!"

Have we convinced you that philosophy can indeed be accessible to teens? Even enjoyable? If so, here is the good news ... Mr. Palmer's course on Thomistic Philosophy will be available as a recorded course through our Unlimited Access! service starting in January. To sign up click here: Unlimited Access!

More good news! If you prefer live, interactive courses Dr. Rioux is teaching Philosophy of God starting in January. Click here to register or learn more: Natural Theology; Philosophy of God. 

Latin Classes Starting Next Month

Homeschool Connections currently offers 4 levels of Latin. For beginners in middle school, we offer Latin 1/2, For our high school students, we offer Latin I, II, and III. Please click below to visit our course pages for registration and information links:  

Middle School Live/Interactive Spring 2013 Courses

High School Live/Interactive Spring 2013 Courses

Note: Students are welcomed to join us midyear even though these are two-part courses. Please feel free to drop us an email at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com to make sure your student's progress is in line with the course schedule.

We also offer recorded classes for independent learning.

Why Learn Latin?

Click on the infographic to see enlarged.

The First Amendment High School Online Classes

With the recent HHS Mandate and other assaults on our fundamental rights as Americans, this course comes at the perfect time. It is vital for our high school students to understand the American Constitution. Taught by a lawyer who has a real love for American history and the Constitution, this course will prepare your student as a citizen. Mrs. Stanley is a vibrant instructor who brings a joy of learning and an excitement of her subject matter to the classroom.

Government

The First Amendment: The Five Freedoms 

(click on the course title to register)

Class dates: Thursdays, January 17 to March 7, 2013
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 1 pm Eastern
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: Basic understanding of American government
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th
Suggested high school credit: 2/3 semester
Fee: $120.00
Instructor: Alison Stanley, J.D.
Course description: This class will explore why the First Amendment was included in the Bill of Rights and what freedoms it protects. Landmark Supreme Court cases interpreting the First Amendment will be studied to help flesh out the meaning of this critical freedom. Also, during this class, we will debate the constitutionality of the HHS Mandate.
Course materials: Instructor will provide free materials on a weekly basis.
Homework: This class will not have a significant amount of homework. Prior to each class, the student may be required to read an abridged Supreme Court opinion and answer a few questions.

Instructor's biography: Alison Stanley has a B.A. from Michigan State University and a law degree from the University of Michigan. She loves to study history, especially how it pertains to legal and political issues of today. Mrs. Stanley is a mother of five children, all who have been homeschooled at some point. Mrs. Stanley teaches law and American history for Homeschool Connections.

Equipment requirements: Classes are online, live and interactive. Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone, which can be found as cheap as $12.
Misc: Mrs. Stanley will be available via email or phone 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.

Government

The First Amendment: The Five Freedoms 

(click on the course title to register)

English Literature and Composition: Online Classes

This is an upper level English course with writing and literature that will prepare students for college.

English Literature and Composition: The Question of Evil

(click on course title to register)

Prerequisite: Experience writing formal essays, ability to read 20-25 pages per night, some high school theology
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester
Fee: $165 for all 11 classes
Duration: 1 hour
Course description: What is the capacity for good and for evil in the human heart? Are some people more prone to evil than others? This course is not for the faint of heart but for the sincerely curious, openly inquisitive, and eagerly industrious. In this class we will read works which plummet the depths of the human heart and from our discussions we will think carefully about the capacity of the virtue and vice within it. We will look at what some of the best literature has discovered in terms of free will and its difficulties. We will begin with the catechism and some short readings by Aristotle and Augustine to look toward a definition of evil and then work our way through Iago in Othello, Kurtz from Heart of Darkness, Mr. Hyde, Ralph and Jack in Lord of the Flies, and some of O'Connor's humorous but wicked villains in order to explore the twisted sinews of the heart, but also to contrast the hopeful characters which arise in all these works as antidotes to the villain. How does evil come about in a person? What choices give way to it? How is it endured? How is it avoided? These questions will be explored through study question activities, weekly lectures and small written responses (one 12 sentence paragraph-which will be taught throughout the course) as well as three papers devoted to a particular theme within these works. Though the paragraphs will be given some feedback, the three major papers will be used as their major grades for the course.

Course outline (subject to minor changes -- will confirm two weeks before the first class):
Week One: Readings from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Aristotle, and Augustine
Week Two: Shakespeare’s Othello
Week Thee: Conrad's The Heart of Darkness
Week Four: Conrad's The Heart of Darkness
Week Five: Conrad's The Heart of Darkness
Week Six: Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Week Seven: Golding's Lord of the Flies
Week Eight: Golding's Lord of the Flies
Week Nine: C.S. Lewis, Peter Kreeft
Week Ten: Faulkner short stories
Week Eleven: O’Connor short stories

Course materials: Shakespeare's Othello, Conrad's The Heart of Darkness, Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Golding's Lord of the Flies, variety of short stories by Faulkner and Flannery O'Connor, readings by Aristotle, Augustine, C.S. Lewis, and Peter Kreeft.

English Literature and Composition: The Question of Evil

(click on course title to register)

Ancient Roman History for Middle School

We have added a second middle school history course for the spring semester.

The Life and Times of the Ancient Romans

(click on course title to register)

Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade: 6th to 8th grade
Dates: Tuesdays, February 12 to May 7, 2013. No class March 26.
Number of classes: 12
Duration: 45 minutes
Fee: $160 if you register on or before December 1, 2012. $180 after Dec. 1st
Course description: This middle school class will trace the origins and development of the Roman people from their birth as an iron age tribe on the banks of the Tiber to their emergence as a world empire. Besides conventional history, the course will also look at the cultural life of the Romans (religion, art, literature) as well as show how the early Church was born out of the Roman milieu of the first, second and third centuries. Towards the last few weeks, Roman history and Church history fuse together as the world transitions from Rome to the Middle Ages.

Course outline:
Week 1: The Dawn of Rome: An assessment of the Etruscan and Greek cultures and their contribution to Rome, as well as a look at Rome's early history, both historical and mythological, through the time of the Founding of the Republic.
Week 2: The Conquest of Italy: Tracing Rome's path of conquest from its days as a small City-State to its domination of the Italian peninsula.
Week 3: Punic Wars: How Rome's expansion brought it into conflict with the maritime power of Carthage, leading to the greatest conflict of the ancient world: the Punic Wars
Week 4: Dissolution of the Republic: Rome is master of Europe, but her power has corrupted her Republican government and the Republic fails amidst the jealousies and quarrels of rival generals.
Week 5: The Julio-Claudians: Peace is restored under Augustis, the grand-nephew of Julius Caesar, who inaugurates one of the most bizarre and memorable ruling dynasties in world history.
Week 6: The Antonines: Synopsis of the century of peace under the 'Five Good Emperors.'
Week 7: Roman Culture, Religion and Society: An in depth study of Roman cultural customs relating to marriage, war, peace, commerce, slavery and much more.
Week 8: Crisis of the Third Century: The near-collapse of the Empire in the third century leaves Rome in a precarious position and ready for thje transformation that will be brought about by Diocletian, the most ambitious emperor since Trajan.
Week 9: The Glory of Constantine: The Great Persecution and subsquent legalization of the Christian Church under Constantine.
Week 10: Church and Empire: The great struggle between Church and Paganism as the Empire slowly becomes Catholic and the barbarians begin to flood in.
Week 11: The End is the Beginning: A look at the tumultuous fifth century, as the western empire crumbles and falls while the east moves out of the Latin sphere permanently.
Week 12: The Roman Contribution: despite the efforts of Justinian, the west is lost forever; yet the imperial ideal will never die, and in Rome's demise the new civil

Course materials: The Romans by Anthony Kamm
Homework: Homework will consist of readings from the text, primary sources provided online, and online quizzes done weekly. Plan on at least 1 to 2 hours per week.

Instructor biography: Phillip Campbell holds a BA in European History from Ave Maria University and a license in Secondary Education through Madonna University (2010) with majors in Social Studies and English. He has a background in youth ministry and currently teaches history for the St. Augustine Homeschool Enrichment Program, as well as Homeschool Connections. Mr. Campbell and his wife of eleven years home school their four children. He is also Mayor of his hometown of Howell, MI. Mr. Campbell teaches history and economics.

The Life and Times of the Ancient Romans

(click on course title to register)

You Too Can Refute Richard Dawkins

Watch and learn how you too can refute Richard Dawkins:

 

To register or learn more please click here:

Philosophy: Natural Theology (Philosophy of God) 

American Sign Language Online Class

NEW! Our ASL I course this semester has been going splendidly! Next semester, we'll be offering both ASL I and II. Here is all the scoop on ASL I starting in January 2013. I hope you'll be joining us!

Foreign Language 

American Sign Language (ASL) I 

(click on the course title for registration)

Note: This is a 2-part course. We will be offering ASL II immediately following this course if there is an interest. 
Class dates: Tuesdays, January 15 to March 5, 2013.
Instructor: E. B. Conroy
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 11:00 am Eastern (10:00 am Central)
Duration: 50 minutes
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 6th to 12th -- appropriate for ALL beginners!
Fee: $100 if you enroll on or before December 1, 2012. $120.00 after Dec. 1 for all 8 classes.
Course description: This course is a beginning American Sign Language (ASL) course for those who would like a strong foundation in learning to communicate with American Sign Language. Students will learn and practice fingerspelling, identifying and signing words used in everyday life; asking questions; special structure of sentences in ASL; the role of expression (non manual markers) in communication; the foundations of ASL’s history; Deaf culture; and practice words and sentences. IMPORTANT! This course is a video course; it is a requirement that you have a web cam, so that you can interact and sign within the course learning time—with immediate feedback and encouragement.
Course outline:
Class 1: Fingerspelling and Greetings
 Class 2: The Family and Deaf History
Class 3: Around the House and Deaf Culture
Class 4: Numbers and Time
Class 5: Questions
Class 6: Building Vocabulary: Nouns
Class 7: Building Vocabulary: Verbs
Class 8: Conversations
Course materials: A working web cam is required (most newer computers have them built in). Everything else is provided FREE online from Professor Brown Conroy
Homework: Weekly practice of the signs and conversations covered in the course, watching videos of signing, and review within signed conversations during class time.

Foreign Language 

American Sign Language (ASL) I 

(click on the course title for registration)

The Hobbit: Recorded Courses

Just in time for the movie!

Addendum: This is a 6-week course. If you would like to end your classes on December 14th, opening day of the movie, then you should begin on November 9th. (The classes could be accelerated if you've already read the book.)

Coming to a theater near you December 14, 2012

Our live middle school and high school courses on J. R. R. Tolkien's book The Hobbit have come to a completion. They are now available as recorded courses through our Unlimited Access! service.
These six-week courses take students deep into the book. They will begin by learning about Tolkien himself and then explore the beauty and meaning of the story. There is also discussion of the Hobbit movie coming out in December.

Both courses cover the same material, only at the appropriate grade level. Adults wanting to take the classes, should choose the high school course. This is an timeless story to be shared with readers of all ages! If you would like to enjoy the lectures as a family, you can hook your computer to the TV, make popcorn, and watch together.

To learn more about our recorded courses, please visit: Unlimited Access!, email us at info@homeschoolconnections.com, or leave a comment for us below.

Here are the basic details of the courses:

The Hobbit or There and Back Again as Gateway to J.R.R.Tolkien

Total classes: 6
Duration: Middle school - 45 minutes each. High school - 1 hour each.
Prerequisite: Ability to read the book with pleasure at about 3 chapters per week.
Suggested high school credit: ½ semester. Follow with the Lord of the Rings series for a full school year.
Instructor: Henry Russell, Ph.D.
Course description: Tolkien’s The Hobbit was written as a children’s story and retains much of the clarity and light-heartedness of its kind. But Bilbo Baggins’ world is slowly made richer and deeper both by the author’s use of the Catholic elements from the great medieval saga of Beowulf and the background world of Tolkien’s deepest Elvish imaginings. By the end of the novel, Tolkien’s life-long themes of 1) a long-fought history that shapes the needs of every modern day; 2) the need for heroism from simple people; 3) the necessity for constant moral vigilance by those who are destined to lead; 4) the conquest of charity over greed; and 5) the sorrow and beauty created by these first four themes, have penetrated to the heart of the reader. The success of this novel convinced Tolkien and his wise and humane publishers, Allen and Unwin, that the modern world was ready to hear more of the complex moral and supernatural world which Tolkien once thought was of interest mostly to scholars of the ancient like himself.
Course outline:
Class 1: An Unexpected Party—A Short Rest
Class 2: Over Hill and Under Hill—Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire
Class 3: Queer Lodgings—Flies and Spiders
Class 4: Barrels out of Bond—On the Doorstep
Class 5: Inside Information—Fire and Water
Class 6: The Gathering of the Clouds—The Last Stage
Course materials: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Homework: One to one and one-half hours per week. Weekly quizzes and final exam. Answer keys provided for parental or self grading.

Unlimited Access

Recorded courses for an independent learning experience.

24/7 access to more than 80 courses!

Rule of Life for Teens

In this upcoming course, high school students will write a Rule of Life for themselves. This is a course that will help teens take their theology lessons and apply them to their everyday lives.

Catholic Living for Young People 

(click on course title to register)

Class dates: Thursdays, Jan. 31 to Mar. 21, 2013
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 10:00 am Eastern (9:00 Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 11th to 12th
Suggested high school credit: ½ semester
Fee: $95 if you register on or before Nov. 1, 2012. $110 if you register after Nov. 1 for all 8 classes.
Instructor: Robert F. Gotcher, Ph.D.
Course description: In our complex and changing world, with its serious cultural challenges, how does a young person structure and organize his life so that he can grow in his relationship with the Lord and be a fruitful apostle? Themes covered include prayer, study, social life, recreation and entertainment, technology, and decision-making. Lecture and discussion.
Course materials: Provided by the instructor.
Homework: Readings. The student will compose a rule of life tailored to his own situation. Ungraded.

Catholic Living for Young People 

(click on course title to register)

Philosophy of God: Online High School Classes

Many people who reject the traditional arguments for the existence and attributes of God have a very poor understanding of them. This is can even be true of many people who support them. Three main questions explored in this course will be: How is it possible to prove the existence of God? Exactly how does St. Thomas argue that God exists? How do God's attributes (unity, perfection, goodness, and so on) follow from these proofs? 

Philosophy: Natural Theology (Philosophy of God) 

click on course title to register 

Class dates: January 10 to April 11, 2013 (no class on 3/7 nor 3/28)
Total classes: 12
Starting time: 4:00 pm Eastern (3:00 Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: none
Suggested grade level: 12th grade or advanced 11th grader
Suggested high school credit: one full semester
Fee: $160 for all 12 classes
Instructor: Dr. Jean Rioux
Course description: Natural Theology (also called Philosophy of God or Philosophical Theology) is that part of philosophy which addresses what we can know of divine things using unaided reason. Learning what we can of the existence and attributes of God is our primary objective. To do that well, however, we must first acquaint ourselves with the method of natural theology, especially insofar as it differs from that of revealed theology. While the focus of this course is upon coming to know God and His attributes, we will be looking at some arguments against the existence of God (atheism) or against our capacity to know God through reason (agnosticism|fideism). There is a good amount of fairly difficult reading required for this class. Weekly homework will consist of your careful responses to one or two summative essay questions on material covered in a previous class.

Course outline (week by week):

January 10 What is Natural Theology?; Plato, Meno 96d-100b; Summa Theologiae I 1 1 and 8; Summa Contra Gentiles I 1-9
January 17 The Logic of Existence; Aristotle, Posterior Analytics II.1-2; Aristotle, Posterior Analytics I.13
January 24 Ontological Arguments; Anselm of Canterbury, Proslogion 2; Gaunilon, Pro Insipiente; René Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy V; Summa Theologiae I 2 1; Summa Contra Gentiles I 10-11
January 31 Fideism and the Wager; Blaise Pascal, Pensées III: Of the Necessity of the Wager; Summa Theologiae I 2 2; Summa Contra Gentiles I 12
February 7 Other Forms of Agnosticism | Atheism; David Hume, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion 8; Ludwig Feuerbach, The Essence of Christianity 1
February 14 Other Forms of Agnosticism | Atheism (continued);  Ludwig Feuerbach, The Essence of Christianity 1; Bertrand Russell, Why I Am Not A Christian
February 21 Teleological and Cosmological Arguments, Summa Theologiae I 43 2, Summa Contra Gentiles I 13
February 28 Teleological and Cosmological Arguments (continued); Summa Contra Gentiles I 13; Summa Theologiae I 2 3
March 7 No class today
March 14 Teleological and Cosmological Arguments (continued); Summa Theologiae I 2 3; John Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding IV 10; William Paley, Natural Theology 1-2; Michael Behe, Molecular Machines: Experimental Support for the Design Inference
March 21 Teleological and Cosmological Arguments (continued); William Paley, Natural Theology 1-2; Michael Behe, Molecular Machines: Experimental Support for the Design Inference
March 28 No class today
April 4 Understanding God’s Nature and the Divine Attributes; Summa Contra Gentiles I 14-102 (skim readings, selections to be announced)
April 11 Understanding God’s Nature and the Divine Attributes Summa Contra Gentiles I 14-102 (skim readings, selections to be announced) 

Course materials: Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles, Book I: God, University of Notre Dame Press (click on the book title for ordering information). Selected Readings in Natural Theology, provided FREE as a downloadable pdf by the instructor.
Homework: Weekly homework will consist of students' careful responses to one or two summative essay questions on material covered in a previous class. Most of students' out-of-class time will be devoted to a careful reading of the assigned material, but they should expect to spend an hour or so writing up their weekly essays.

Philosophy: Natural Theology (Philosophy of God) 

click on course title to register 

Instructor's biography: Dr. Jean Rioux is a professor and chair of the philosophy department at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he has taught for 26 years. A graduate of Thomas Aquinas College, he completed his graduate work in philosophy at the Center for Thomistic Studies in Houston, earning his M.A. Ph.D. in 1990. Specializing in the thought of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas, Dr. Rioux has published textbooks in logic and natural philosophy, as well as articles on the philosophy of mathematics in the Thomist and the Aquinas Review. He came to Benedictine with a love for the study of primary texts, as well as a keen interest in what computers might bring to that study. His contributions to the philosophical life of Benedictine College range from Great Books Sequences in philosophy and theology to 3D software for students of logic. He and his wife, Maria have been designing their own curricula and educating their nine children at home for over 20 years.

Equipment requirements: Classes are online, live and interactive. Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.

Misc: Dr. Rioux will be available via email or phone 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.

Philosophy: Natural Theology (Philosophy of God) 

click on course title to register 

Theology of the Body for High School Students

Our Theology of the Body for High School Students series continues with Theology of the Body, the Church & the Sacraments starting October 30, 2012.

You can jump into this series anytime, so no worries if you didn't take the course from September.. There is no prerequisite. We would love for you to join this great group of Catholic homeschooling students. Monica Ashour is the kind of teacher who can bring understanding to the most complicated theological truths. The students love her, partly due to her gift of for that reason, but also because they can see her joy for her subject matter -- Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body!

Theology of the Body, the Church and the Sacraments (Ecclesiology & Sacramental Theology)

(click on course title to register)

Class dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 30 to Dec. 18, 2012
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 1:00 pm Eastern (Noon Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Fee: $90 for entire 8-week course.
Instructor: Monica Ashour, MTS; M Hum
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th
High school credit: ½ semester credit or full semester with extra reading
Course description: The students in this course will study the nature of the Church, that is, how She is in the “nature of a sacrament” (Lumen Gentium), along with all of her other aspects from the perspective of Pope John Paul’s Theology of the Body. We will examine the thoughts of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, who has written extensively on the Church and on the Liturgy.
Course outline:
Class 1: Course expectations and overview
Class 2: The source of Revelation
Class 3: The Marks of the Church
Class 4: Recapitulate ecclesiology
Class 5: The Sacraments
Class 6: The role of the Holy Spirit
Class 7: The Mass and liturgy
Class 8: Recapitulation of everything
Course materials (All can be found FREE online -- links will be provided to students):
1. The Bible—The Institution of the Last Supper in all 3 synoptic Gospels and John’s Washing of the Feet; all of the book of Ephesians; Hebrews 5-13
2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church
3. The Documents of Vatican II, especially Sacrosanctum Concilium and Lumen Gentium
4. Ecclesia de Eucharistia (Pope John Paul’s encyclical on the Eucharist and Its relationship to the Church—Read 6 paragraphs a week)
5. The short essay “The Weight of Glory” in the longer collection with the same name: The Weight of Glory and short essay “Man or Rabbit”, both by CS Lewis.
6. Fr. Godfrey Diekmann’s “Two Approaches to Understanding the Sacraments”
Homework: Weekly quizzes, a major project, & final exam: Answer keys provided for parental or self grading. A minimum of 30 minutes a day suggested for study, reading, quizzes, project, and final Note that the pressure is not great, as rarely is there discussion over the reading assignments. Rather, Miss Ashour gives the reading list to help the students find good resources and to promote exploring their faith on their own as they grow into adulthood.
Note: Please email homeschoolconnections@gmail.com for a complete syllabus.

Advanced Catholic Apologetics for High School

Advanced Catholic Apologetics

(click on course title to register)

Class dates: Wednesdays, Jan. 23 to Apr. 10, 2013. No class Feb. 13 and Mar. 27.
Total classes: 10
Starting time: 10:00 am Eastern (9:00 Central)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Prerequisite: Defending the Bible in the Modern World, Introduction to Apologetics, Apologetics Boot Camp, OR equivalent.
Suggested grade level: 9th to 11th
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester with extra reading.
Fee: $140 if you register on or before Nov. 1, 2012. $160 after Nov. 1 for all 10 classes
Instructor: Gary Michuta
Course description: Learn how the Protestant Reformation happened in Europe and England, the major divisions within Protestantism, what are their major objections to Catholicism and how to answer them.
Course outline:
Class 1: Martin Luther and the birth of Protestantism in Germany
Class 2: Justification by Faith Alone, Purgatory (objections, answers, mock dialog)
Class 3: The Birth of Reformed Protestantism (Calvin, Zwingli)
Class 4: Real Presence in the Eucharist / Sacrifice of the Mass / Priesthood (objections, answers)
Class 5: Radical Reformation (Anabaptists / Baptists)
Class 6: Baptism, Confession (objections, answers, mock dialog)
Class 7: The English "Reformation" (Anglican / Episcopalians)
Class 8: Papacy and Apostolic Succession (objections, answers)
Class 9: Non-denominationalism, restoration movements, and mega-churches
Class 10: How to Share and Defend Your Faith Without Making Enemies

Course materials: All reading provided FREE by Mr. Michuta. For those who want to delve deeper into the subject, Mr. Michuta recommends: The Gospel According to James McCarthy by Gary Michuta [Grotto Press] and Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating [Ignatius Press].
Homework: Weekly quizzes graded by the instructor.
Note: Mr. Michuta will also teach Making Sense of Mary: Biblical Background for Marian Apologetics  in the spring semester.

Instructor's biography: Gary Michuta is the author of Why Catholic Bibles Are Bigger: Did the Catholic Church Add Books to the Bible? and How to Wolf-Proof Your Kids: A Practical Guide to Keeping Your Kids Catholic. Mr. Michuta's newest book Making Sense of Mary is due for release in a few months. Mr. Michuta was also the co-host of the radio show Hands on Apologetics Live. He is a frequent guest on various Catholic radio and television shows, and he also worked as an uncredited consultant for Steve Ray’s Footsteps of God video series. Since 2003, Mr. Michuta has developed apologetic material for the Eastern Church Re-Evangelization Commission (E.C.R.C) to aid the Chaldean Catholic Dioceses. Gary currently offers classes on Apologetics to Catholic parishes around the country.

Advanced Catholic Apologetics

(click on course title to register)

Equipment requirements: Classes are online, live and interactive. Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.
Misc: Mr. Michuta will be available via email or phone 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.

High School Apologetics: Marian Theology

NOTE: This live, interactive course is completed. HOWEVER, it is now available as a recorded course through Unlimited Access. Click here now to learn more: Unlimited Access to Catholic Homeschooling Online Courses (Independent Learning).

Making Sense of Mary: Biblical Background for Marian Apologetics 

(click on course title to register) 

Total classes: 10
Starting time: 10 am Eastern Time (9:00 am Central)
Dates: Jan. 17 to Mar. 21
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 semester credit with extra reading
Fee: $120
Instructor: Gary Michuta
Course description: Making Sense of Mary is not your average apologetics class. Instead of memorizing proof-texts, we are going to uncover how Scripture and the early Christians understood Mary’s role in God’s perfect plan of redemption beginning in Genesis with Adam, Eve, and the Serpent and tracing the prophetic echoes of that event all the way to the Book of Revelation. We’ll see why Mary plays such an important and indispensible role in God’s plan. How the Kingdom of David sheds light on Mary’s mission both on earth and in Heaven. How being members of the Body of Christ affects our relationship to Mary and finally what the “Woman clothed with the sun” in Revelation 12 tells us about Mary and our battle against the Evil One. The class will be based on Gary Michuta’s upcoming book, Making Sense of Mary.
Course outline:
Class 1: The Temptation and Fall of Adam and Eve
Class 2: Mary’s Role in God’s Perfect Plan of Salvation
Class 3: The First Gospel
Class 4: Old Testament Prophecies about Mary
Class 5: Mary: The Queen mother of the Kingdom
Class 6: One Christ: Head and Body
Class 7: Daughter Zion
Class 8: The Woman of Revelation 12
Class 9: Apologetics
Class 10: Who were the “brothers of the Lord”?

Course materials: Making Sense of Mary by Gary Michuta (Grotto Press)
Homework: Weekly reading assignments.
Special note: Mr. Michuta will also teach Advanced Apologetics in the spring semester.

Instructor's biography: Gary Michuta is the author of Why Catholic Bibles Are Bigger: Did the Catholic Church Add Books to the Bible? and How to Wolf-Proof Your Kids: A Practical Guide to Keeping Your Kids Catholic. Mr. Michuta's newest book is Making Sense of Mary Mr. Michuta was also the co-host of the radio show Hands on Apologetics Live. He is a frequent guest on various Catholic radio and television shows, and he also worked as an uncredited consultant for Steve Ray’s Footsteps of God video series. Since 2003, Mr. Michuta has developed apologetic material for the Eastern Church Re-Evangelization Commission (E.C.R.C) to aid the Chaldean Catholic Dioceses. Gary currently offers classes on Apologetics to Catholic parishes around the country.

Making Sense of Mary: Biblical Background for Marian Apologetics 

(click on course title to register)

Equipment requirements: Classes are online, live and interactive. Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.
Misc: Mr. Michuta will be available via email or phone 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.

Other theology courses offered by Homeschool Connections for the spring 2013 semester (click on course titles to learn more):
Advanced Catholic Apologetics with Gary Michuta
Theology of the Body; How Shall I Live (Moral Theology) with Monica Ashour
Natural Theology: Philosophy of God with Dr. Jean Rioux