High School Online Class: Advanced American Government

Update: This live course has concluded and is available now as a recorded course through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows. To subscribe or learn more:Adult and High School Catholic Online Classes

Government: Advanced American Government

(click on above title for registration)

Class dates: Fridays, September 10 to November 5, 2010
Total classes: 9
Starting time: Noon Eastern (11:00 am Central) Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Fee: $160 for entire 9-week course. $20 Early Registration Discount before August 1, 2010
Instructor: Ed Rivet
Prerequisite: Government, Democracy, and Citizenship (recorded) or other introductory American government course.
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th
High school credit: 3/4 of a semester credit. To give full credit, add reading assignments from Mr. Rivet's supplemental reading list plus an essay on the book(s).
Course description: Building on the fundamentals from the prerequisite course, this course will delve deeper into political and economic theory. There will be a deeper review of constitutional (common) law developed by our courts and a deeper exploration into the legislative process. There will be more emphasis on class participation each session, with less straight lecturing.
Course outline:
Class 1: The Interrelationship of Legal-Political-Economic Theories
Class 2: Marxism-Communism and Socialism
Class 3: Democracy - Greek, Roman, American, Parliamentary
Class 4: Constitutional Rights Revisited - Due Process of Law
Class 5: Law & Order: Crime, Punishment & Justice
Class 6: Impact of Litigation - Public & Private
Class 7: Legislative Roles and Authorities
Class 8: The Heart of Making Laws
Class 9: Synthesis of Theory & Practice
Homework: Much more essay-based assignments than prerequisite course - analysis and articulation that shows a grasping of the subject matter. Students will study specific pending legislation in detail and propose their own bills.
Course materials: Online resources, a couple books that are readily available in libraries or cheap on Amazon, etc. (TBA August 1, 2010)
Equipment requirements:
Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.
Misc:
Mr. Rivet will be available via email in between classes for questions and comments.
Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.
Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.

Government: Advanced American Government

(click on above title for registration)

High School Theology: The Trinity

Update: This live course has concluded and is available now as a recorded course through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows. To subscribe or learn more:Adult and High School Catholic Online Classes

Theology: The Trinity

(click on title for registration)

Class dates: Fridays, September 10 to October 15, 2010
Total classes: 6
Starting time: 10:00 am Eastern (9:00 am Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Fee: $120 for the entire 6-week course.
Instructor: Robert Gotcher, Ph.D.
Prerequisite: none
Suggested grade level: 11th to 12th
High school credit: 1/2 semester
Course description: The reality of the Trinity, whom we worship, permeates all reality, including all human history. We are destined to spend eternity sharing the life of the Trinity. In order to love God more fully, this class will help you know who God is as Trinity. What is the content of the Church’s teaching? How did the Church receive it? What does it mean for me in my life?
Course outline:
Class 1: Who is God?
Class 2: The Trinity in the CCC
Class 3: The Trinity in the Bible
Class 4: The Trinity in the Theologians
Class 5: The Trinity in the World
Class 6: The Trinity in the Liturgy
Homework: Online readings from CCC, Bible, Church Fathers, Aquinas, the Liturgy of the Mass. There will be a short online quiz after each class period based on reading and class material. Final exam.
Course materials: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Bible, and a Missal. Other incidental readings are available free online
Equipment requirements:
Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.
Misc:
Dr. Gotcher will be available via email in between classes for questions and comments.
Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.
Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.

Theology: The Trinity

(click on title for registration)

Historiography Reading List for High School

The Historiography summer course went great. The students loved Mr. Campbell and the course. So much, they asked for an additional reading list. So here's some interesting stuff to read on Historiography recommended by Mr. C. Keep in mind, some are written by secular authors, so read with a grain of salt.

"Historiography: An Introduction" by Ernst Breisach

"History and Historians" by Mark Gilderhus

"The Discoverers" by Danile Boorstein (this book has a bit of an anti-Christian bias, but if you look up just the section on time it is pretty good - talks about how people have looked at time and history throughout the ages)

Villehardouin's "Conquest of Constantinople," an example of a medieval chronicle.

Joinville's "Life of St. Louis IX," a great example of a medieval vita.

Kate Turabian's "A Manual for Writer's of Research Papers, Theses and Dissertations."

St. Augustine's "City of God", especially Book IV, V and XI

This should keep the students busy for awhile!

High School Theology: Ecclesiology I (The Study of the Church, Part 1)

Update: This live course has concluded and is available now as a recorded course through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows. To subscribe or learn more:Adult and High School Catholic Online Classes

Theology: Ecclesiology I (The Study of the Church, Part 1)

(click on title for registration)

Class dates: Tuesdays, Sept. 7 to Sept. 28, 2010
Total classes: 4
Starting time: 1:00 pm Eastern (Noon Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Fee: $75 for the entire 4-week course. $15 Early Registration Discount before August 1, 2010
Instructor: Monica Ashour, M.T.S., M.Hum.
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th
High school credit: 1/3 semester credit. For a full semester credit in Theology then enroll in 2 more of Miss Ashour's 4-week courses.
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 her other aspects, particularly how the Church is Body and Bride of Christ, “the most apt” description of herself (Lumen Gentium). Once we have established Jesus Christ as the Bridegroom of His Body-Bride, the Church, and the consequences arising thereof, we then move naturally to theological ramification of dogmatic teachings such as the 4 Marks of the Church, authority (especially infallibility) and hierarchy, and Mariological teachings. A particular focus will include Pope Benedict’s writings about ensuring that the Church’s feminine qualities be of primacy to ensure that the Church is not seen merely in a “masculine, structural, purely theoretical way” but that the Marian “mystery exists” (Mary: The Church at the Source).
Course goal: The final goal of this course is for each student to glorify the Father as a person “fully alive” (Ireneas) as he/she grows in his/her encounter with Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, and with the Holy Spirit, the Soul of the Church, for all of time and eternity. The proximate goal is for the student to see the wondrous gift of the Catholic Church so as to become resolute in his/her lifelong commitment to Jesus’ Body-Bride.
Course outline: To be announced
Homework: None
Course materials: Optional reading assignments will be provided

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

Theology: Ecclesiology I (The Study of the Church, Part 1)

(click on title for registration)

High School Theology: Church History; Trinitarian

Update: This live course has concluded and is available now as a recorded course through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows. To subscribe or learn more:Adult and High School Catholic Online Classes

History: Church History; Trinitarian

(click on title for registration information)

Class dates: Tuesdays, August 17 to September 7, 2010
Total classes: 4
Starting time: 1:00 pm Eastern (Noon Central) NOTE: The Sept. 7th class will take place at 11:00 am Eastern instead of 1:00 pm.
Duration: 1 hour
Fee: $75 for entire 4-week course. $15 Early Registration Discount by August 1, 2010 Instructor: Monica Ashour, M.T.S., M.Hum.
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th
High school credit: 1/3 semester credit for history or theology. For additional credit, see Dr. Gotcher’s Theology: The Trinity course (Fall 2010)
Course description: “*Christ’s kenosis and appointment of apostles, evangelists, pastors, or teachers (Eph 4:7-11)] illuminates the change in Christ’s life from being formed by history to forming history. All existences, both before him and after him, receive their meaning from Christ’s existence” (Von Balthasar, A Theology of History, 76). As such, in this course, the students will explore the historical and transcendent aspects of the Church from its inception “in the heart of the Father” (Catechism of the Catholic Church) to its eschatological—its end of time—existence.
Course goal: In this, the first part of a series of Church History courses, the student will examine Trinitarian Theology (the Church that was “in the heart of the Father”), through the Church’s preparation in the Old Testament, to Jesus’ founding and His sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The student, moved by such knowledge of God’s love for His people, will, in turn, be devoted even more readily to the Church.
Course outline: To be announced
Homework: None
Course materials: Optional reading assignments will be provided
Equipment requirements:
Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.
Misc:
Miss Ashour will be available via email in between classes for questions and comments.
Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.
Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.

History: Church History; Trinitarian

(click on title for registration information)

Win a Free Catholic Homeschool Magazine Subscription

You can win a free one-year subscription to mater et magistra! This is an awesome magazine for any Catholic homeschooler. (If you win and already subscribe, you'll get an extra year for free.)

To enter is real simple. Become a Facebook fan of Homeschool Connections and then leave a political joke in the comments. The winner will be chosen by random.

The contest ends Monday, June 21 2010.

All this is designed to help out our government instructor Ed Rivet. Mr. Rivet ends every class with good, fun political joke for the kids. Well, Mr. Rivet is already busy creating his lesson plans for his Advanced American Government classes for the fall and he needs some new jokes. Lots of new jokes.

So, help out Mr. Rivet as well as give yourself a chance to win a great magazine by heading over to the fan page now.

Paying for College: Plans for Families with Young Children

UPDATE: The webinar went great! You can watch the free recorded event here: Paying for College: Plans for Families with Young Children.

Katherine O'Brien, MA CCPS of Celtic College Consulting has presented several free webinars for Homeschool Connections in the past and she is a treasure trove of information when it comes to information regarding planning for college funding.

This particular free webinar will deal specifically with how create a college plan while your children are young.

Paying for College: Plans for Families with Young Children

(click on title to register)

Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Starting time: 8:00 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (7:00 pm, Central)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Presenter: Katherine O'Brien, MA CCPS
Description: College costs are daunting! We will address some of the pitfalls of saving for college and outline effective ways to save. It is important to maintain financial aid eligibility AND save. Knowing how to save makes all the difference. Katherine is eager to share her knowledge and experience with other Catholic families, especially those interested in sending their children to the Newman Guide schools. So, get a cup of tea and a pad of paper, hear some stories, learn a lot, and get inspired to create a college fund for your children.
Presenter biography: Katherine O'Brien has a BS in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and an MA in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is also a certified College Planning Specialist with five years' experience helping families prepare for college. As a mother of six, she understands the need to save for college - and the challenge to do it! With eleven years' homeschooling experience, she also understands the homeschooling lifestyle.

New England Catholic Homeschool Conference This Weekend!

If you're wondering where you can find Homeschool Connections this weekend, just look east.

Our anatomy & physiology professor, Kris Corriera, will be giving a workshop on Homeschool Leadership. She'll also be manning the Homeschool Connections vending table answering questions about Catholic online education.

This is sure to be a wonderful conference with a nice lineup of speakers, including Susie Lloyd.

Here are the details:

June 5, 2010 (Sat.)
2nd Annual New England Catholic Homeschool Conference
St. Stanislaus Basilica & School
534 Front Street
Chicopee, MA 01013
9 AM - 7 PM
Info: Call Mary 413-533-0045 or Christine 413-315-9999

SAT and ACT Prep Courses

Update: This live course has concluded and is available now as a recorded course through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows. To subscribe or learn more:Adult and High School Catholic Online Classes

I am so very excited to announce that Homeschool Connections will be offering SAT/ACT preparatory classes this summer.

We are offering a two-part series. You can take Prep I for an introduction or take both Prep I and Prep II for an in-depth study that will fully prepare you for both the SAT and ACT. The maximum number of students for Prep I is 30 and the maximum for Prep II is 20 so seating is limited and you should register as soon as possible.

Please see below for full descriptions of both courses as well as links to register:

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

SAT & ACT Prep I: The Test and the Strategies

(click on the title above to register)

Class dates: Monday & Thursday—July 19, 22, 26, 29
Total classes: 4
Starting time: 7:00 pm Eastern Time (6:00 pm Central)
Duration: 2 hours
Fee: $80 for entire 2-week course.
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 10th, 11th, and 12th grade
Course description: This course aims to provide the student with a thorough introduction to the format and content of the SAT and ACT as well as to introduce him to the key strategies to use when approaching the various types of problem that he will encounter. The course will be intensive, requiring a significant amount of work outside of class (1–2 hours per day). Class time will involve the systematic presentation of test sections and the strategies necessary for them followed by limited practice problems as time allows. Methods will include everything from solving the problems using traditional means to the various ways of “gaming” the questions, answering using strategies that are more cognizant of the special format of the tests. Homework will include practice problems and vocabulary acquisition. Once completed, the course will provide the student with a thorough knowledge of exactly what is on the test and the various theories to use in approaching the test.
Course outline: (Tentative)
Session 1: Overview, Essay Writing, Science Section
Session 2: Math Section
Session 3: Reading Section
Session 4: Writing Section
Homework: Practice Problems and Vocabulary
Course materials:
If you plan to take only the SAT or only ACT, you need only purchase that particular test book.
ACT: The Real ACT Prep Guide, 2nd edition
and
SAT: The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd edition
Available new and used through many providers, or your library.

SAT & ACT Prep II–Practicum

(click on the title above to register)

Class dates: Monday & Thursday—August 2, 5, 9, 12
Total classes: 4
Starting time: 7:00 pm Eastern Time (6:00 pm Central)
Duration: 2 hour
Fee: $90 for entire 2-week course.
Prerequisite: SAT & ACT Prep I
Suggested grade level: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Course description: This course aims to provide the student with extensive practice in the use of strategies introduced in part one. The course will be intensive, requiring a significant amount of work outside of class (1–2 hours per day). Class time will be spent working through problems as a group, especially those that have proven troublesome in the homework prepared for the session. Methods will include everything from solving the problems using traditional means to the various ways of “gaming” the questions, answering using strategies that are more cognizant of the special format of the tests. Homework will include practice problems and vocabulary acquisition. Test sections will be graded by the students; those problems that the students miss will be communicated to the instructor prior to class to aid him in preparing. Two practice essays will be graded by the instructor. Once completed, the course will provide the student with a real, hands-on familiarity with all of the content and strategies involved.
Course outline: (Tentative)
Session 1: Science and Math Sections
Session 2: Math Section
Session 3: Reading Section
Session 4: Writing Section
Homework: Practice Problems and Vocabulary
Course materials:
If you plan to take only the SAT or only ACT, you need only purchase that particular test book.
ACT: The Real ACT Prep Guide, 2nd edition
and
SAT: The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd edition
Available new and used through many providers, or your library.

Seven Reasons to Learn Latin

Latin is the one subject I've always had to seek out help to teach. I know the importance of teaching it to my children but I have a mental block when it comes to foreign language, especially Latin. If you'd like some help teaching Latin, Homeschool Connections is offering a series of high school and middle school Latin courses for summer, fall, and spring. But first, let's talk about Why Latin?

1. It's the official language of the Church. As Edward Peters has stated, "A working knowledge of Ecclesiastical Latin affords one direct access to nearly two millennia of accumulated Christian wisdom"
2. Higher SAT scores. Latin students score 160 points higher than non-Latin students in the verbal section of the SAT. They also have significantly higher scores in math. An investment in Latin can translate into college scholarships!
3. Builds character. Learning Latin can be challenging. It takes perseverance and dedication.
4. Builds vocabulary. At least 60% of words in the English language are derived from Latin, often through middle French, 30% of English words are of Anglo-Saxon origin, and 10% from Greek and other languages.
5. Scientific and medical terminology often come from Latin. Did you know that most, if not all, of the 206 bones in your body are Latin words?
6. English grammar. To learn Latin well, you must learn the grammar. In Latin the word order won't help you as it is a highly inflected language with lots of endings to learn.
7. Logic skills. Latin trains your mind and memory. Translating a Latin sentence is an exercise in logical thinking.

To learn more, please visit our website or drop us an email. All of our online courses are interactive -- the student sees and hears the professor. The student easily communicates verbally or through chat. Homework is graded for you or an answer key is provided. Plus, the professor is available between classes for help. The summer camps are a great way to keep Latin alive during the break so you don't spend weeks in review come fall.

Foreign Language and SAT Scores

We've all heard how the study of foreign language increases SAT and ACT scores. Are high test scores our end all goal in homeschooling? Of course not, but they sure are helpful when it comes time to apply for college and scholarships. Also, higher scores tell us that our children are learning which is the end all goal.

The chart linked here shows the difference foreign language makes in the verbal portion of the SAT. It's pretty significant -- up to 25% higher.

Studies conducted by the Educational Testing Service show that Latin students consistently outperform all other students on the verbal portion of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
Year: 2004
All students 508
Latin 674
French 642
German 627
Spanish 575
Hebrew 630

This summer and next school year Homeschool Connections will be offering Latin and German for middle to high school students. As you can see from the chart above, Latin students average 166 points higher on their SAT and German students 119. That's a nice plus in addition to all the other benefits to learning languages.

Online Classes: Job Search Skills

Update: This live course has concluded and is available now as a recorded course through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows. To subscribe or learn more: Adult and High School Catholic Online Classes

As a former Human Resource Manager and Corporate Recruiter, I cannot stress enough the importance of good job search skills. During my career I saw a lot of wonderful individuals go unemployed or underemployed because they did not have strong job search skills. There is not a lot to learn but it is all important. From being able to create an eye-catching resume to standing out in a job interview to getting that interview in the first place, and more.

This is ever so much more important in the current job market. This 4-day course will teach a high school and college students the skills necessary to put them in the driver's seat of their future.

Life Skills Camp: Job Search Skills

(Click on title for registration information)

Class dates: Monday through Thursday, May 24 to May 27, 2010
Total classes: 4
Starting time: 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight (7:00 pm Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Instructor: Derek Prentice
Fee: $60 for entire 4-week course
Recommended Age: 10th grade to college
Homework and Course Materials: Mr. Prentice will provide free online resources. There will be no graded homework but to make the most of this course you will want to practice the techniques learned in class on your own. Mr. Prentice will be available via email to help you with questions.

Course description:
Be a Beacon of Light in the Workplace!

Obtaining victory in an employment world that is full of Serpents and Traps. Are you prepared for the challenge? Your parents have given you a great education in your homeschool. Some of you may be on your way to college. Are you ready to take your education and skills to the workplace? Join Mr. Prentice and Homeschool Connections to learn how to find and get your dream job.

Have you ever wondered "How in the world did that person get that job?" or "Wow, that is the coolest job in the world. I would have never thought that a person could get paid to do that!" Find out how you can be that person. The mainstream media continues to tell us that the "Sky is Falling!" Well if you like to follow the "Pied Piper" and listen to the symphony of employment destruction ... be my guest. However, if you have the "No Guts, No Glory!" attitude, then read on and seriously consider joining us in this career search course.

In this course you will learn about:
-- Resumes / Electronic resumes
-- Applications (90% are now online)
-- Interview skills (How to become an expert at phone and face to face interviews)
-- Online Job Boards such as Monster, Career Builder, Indeed and many others
-- Social Media and how it can be used for and against you
-- Reputation Management and Networking
-- Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, etc.
-- Questions potential employers like to ask
-- Confrontational Interviewing and other types of interviews you may encounter
-- Other Grassroots / DYI marketing yourself ideas
-- Creating your own Unique Selling Proposition

Course Outline:
Class 1) Overview of the current market and how it is changing
Class 2) Commonsense and Mistakes that Kill
Class 3) How to create a great marketing blitz – for yourself
Class 4) How to utilize social media and what not to do.

Presenter's biography:
Derek Prentice is a graduate of Hope College with a B/A in Communications, Business and Art. An accomplished and integrity-driven professional with over 14 years of business success with Fortune 500 organizations and start-up companies, specializing in technology, automotive, power sports and consumer electronics.

Equipment requirements:
Attendees are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.

The Cost of a Quality Catholic Online Education

Homeschool Connections Fees

Live courses:
Prices vary from $40 to $180 for individual courses. The price is based on several factors:

• Length of the course
• Whether or not homework is graded by the instructor
• The instructor’s degree and experience
• Whether or not you take advantage of the Early Enrollment Discount

Prices are shown with each course listing in the course catalog.

Recorded courses (Subscription Service):
Our 200+ hours of classes plus content are available for only $1 for the first seven days and then only $30 per month thereafter. The subscription fee is an automatic deduction each month. You can cancel anytime, subscribing for as long or as short as you need. During your subscription period you have unlimited access to all of the available recorded courses and supporting materials. Live courses become available to subscribers 3 to 6 weeks after their last class, so new content is always being added.

Course materials:
To help you keep your costs down, we provide most of our materials free online or as a PDF file. In the case of the literature courses, the books should be easily available from your library. A few courses do require the purchase of lab materials or a textbook. In those cases, we provide information to find them inexpensively or used. See individual course listings for required course materials.

Equipment:
Students are required to have high speed internet (not dial up) and a headset with a microphone. Headsets can be found for as cheap as $11. However, we recommend a quality headset that plugs into your USB port. These run about $30.

Additional fees:
None. We do not charge registration fees, late enrollment fees, or any other extra fees.

Early Enrollment Discount:
We do provide a discount for early enrollment. Early enrollment helps our instructors plan their courses more efficiently. The discount ranges from $10 to $30. The discount for individual courses is found in the course catalog under each course listing. The deadlines are:

• Fall: August 1
• Spring: November 1
• Summer: April 1
  

Homeschool Planning

It's that time of year again. Many of us are looking back over the school year and thinking about our plans for the next. Some have already laid their 2010/2011 plans in stone. Others are putting it off until September.

In a beautiful effort to help us all with this task (that some of us love and others of us loathe) Jenny Bales presented a webinar series on the topic last year. Those webinars were recorded and can help you get it together this year. Prayerfully.

Jenny's homeschool group holds a Day of Reflection for moms in preparation for planning the next school year. They developed a self-evaluation survey for the mothers to complete with questions covering personal spirituality, successes and struggles from this year, and goals for the next year.

Jenny brings that experience to the entire Catholic homeschool community via two free webinars. These are ones well worth your time.

Prayerfully Reflecting on Last Year
Here is a chance to really step back from the busy-ness of family life and pause to reflect on the previous academic year's highs and lows. The focus will be to take some time to ponder our personal spiritual growth and our successes and challenges from the past year of homeschooling with a goal to prayerfully discern what, if anything, needs to change for next year. Participants are provided with a thorough self-evaluation survey at the close of the webinar to complete on their own time, which has been an inspiring process for all who have done it, so far! This webinar is part one of a two part series, continuing with Prayerfully Planning for Next Year but one can be attended without the other, if desired.

Prayerfully Planning for Next Year
Regardless of what stage of planning for next year moms have completed, this will be an opportunity to consider our plans in light of God's will through prayerful discernment. Having evaluated the previous academic year in the webinar Prayerfully Reflecting on Last Year, our goals for this discussion are to ask the Lord for guidance in choosing materials and preparing lessons for next year and setting some goals for ourselves, our family, and each individual child that truly reflect our priorities. This webinar is part two of a two part series but one can be attended without the other, if desired.

Presenter's Biography
Jenny is a richly blessed homeschooling mother of two children, with a baby boy due in June. Her daughter is finishing second grade and her son is finishing pre-Kindergarten. Previously a middle school and high school English/Language Arts teacher, youth retreat director, and strategic planning consultant (among other things), her enthusiasm for and experience with personal and curriculum planning has been a great asset to her own homeschooling way of life. She cannot wait to share with you the process she developed with her local homeschooling group to evaluate each homeschooling year and make plans for the next year all focusing on God's will for our families and raising holy children in Christ-centered homes!

Discount for Summer Camps Ends Today

Homeschool Connections is offering a series of summer school courses. They're designed with summer fun in mind. Little to no homework. Earlier in the day so the kids can get to their summer activities. (Exception: Job Search Skills is in the evening.) They meet 4 days a week for 1, 2, or 3 weeks so that you don't have to schedule your entire summer around school. This is a great way to polish skills, prepare for the next school year, and focus on a favorite subject. These are live, interactive classes.

There is a very generous Early Enrollment Discount ($10 to $30) if you register by the end of today (Friday).

Please don't hesitate to to leave a comment with any questions or suggestions.

Information on individual camps is below. You can learn more or register at
http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/online-catholic-course-catalog/live-interactive-high-school-courses/summer-2010-courses/

Please feel free to share this information with others ...

Job Search Skills Camp
Class dates: Monday through Thursday, May 24 to May 27
Total classes: 4
Starting time: 8 pm Eastern (7 pm Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Fee: $60 for entire 4-class camp. $20 Early Registration Discount before April 30, 2010
Instructor: Derek Prentice
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 10th grade to college level

Apologetics Camp
Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, June 7 to 17, 2010
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 10:00 am Eastern (9:00 am Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Fee: $100 for entire 8-class course. $20 early registration discount before April 30, 2010
Instructor: Gary Michuta, author Why Catholic Bibles are Bigger
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th

History Camp: Foundations of Christian Historiography
Class dates: Monday to Thursday, June 14 to June 17
Total classes: 4
Starting time: Noon Eastern (11:00 am Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Fee: $50 for entire 4-class course. $10 Early Registration Discount before April 30, 2010
Instructor: Phillip Campbell
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th

Latin I Camp: Introductory Level
Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, June 21 to July 1, 2010
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 10:00 am Eastern (9:00 am Central)
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Fee: $120 for entire 8-class course. $20 early registration discount before April 30, 2010
Instructor: Alecia Rolling and Kenneth Rolling
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 7th to 12th

Latin II Camp: Grammar Intensive
Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, July 5 to July 22, 2010
Total classes: 12
Starting time: 10:00 am Eastern (9:00 am Central)
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Fee: $180 for entire 12-class course. $30 early registration discount before April 30, 2010
Instructor: Alecia Rolling
Prerequisite: The student who wishes to enroll in this camp has at least learned the 1st through 3rd noun and adjective declensions as well as the 1st through 4th conjugations of the present tense. If the student has not learned this, he or she is encouraged to take Latin I Camp or enroll in Latin II camp with the understanding that it will be difficult and fast-paced.
Suggested grade level: 7th to 12th

Latin III Camp: Translation Intensive
Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, July 26 to August 12, 2010
Total classes: 12
Starting time: 10:00 am Eastern (9:00 am Central)
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Fee: $180 for entire 12-class course. $30 early registration discount before April 30, 2010
Instructor: Alecia Rolling
Prerequisite: The student who wishes to enroll in this camp has at least learned the 1st through 5th noun and adjective declensions as well as the 1st through 4th verb conjugations in all tenses (active and passive) or has successfully completed Latin Camp II.
Suggested grade level: 7th to 12th

Win Free Stuff

To celebrate 5 years in the blogosphere, Alicia Van Hecke is giving away loads of free gifts including:

1. Subscriptions to mater et magistra magazine (Catholic homeschooling magazine): (3 copies)

2. I Remember Mama - Irene Dunne, 1948 (3 copies)

3. Christmas in Connecticut - Barbara Stanwyck, 1945 (3 copies)

4. Books by Melissa Wiley (3 books)

5. The Kitchen Madonna by Rumer Godden (1 copy)

6. The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary by Karen Edmisten (1 copy)

7. The Catholic Homeschool Companion, edited by Maureen Wittmann and Rachel Mackson (1 copy)

8. Homeschool Connections Subscription Service (1 month free subscription)

Check out Studeo to learn all the details.

Saving on Post Secondary Online Education

I read in the Wall Street Journal this weekend that the average state university charges $8,000 in yearly tuition. Add to that another $10,000 in state funding per student. Yet, only $3,000 of that $18,000 goes directly to instruction. Think about how much $$$ we could all save with a move to online education.

New Epic Fantasy for Young Adults

Homeschool Connections instructor Phillip Campbell is also an accomplished author. His new novel, Tale of Maneath, has been receiving rave reviews all over the Internet. Here are just a few:

The Curt Jester (Jeff Miller)
Gloria Romanorum (Tony Shiavo)
Maureen Wittmann

Congratulations Mr. Campbell!

Catholic Daily Planner (School Year)

Michele Quigley's Family-Centered Press Catholic planners are ready to order for the 2010/2011 school year. You may recall that Michele was our presenter for the free webinar: Time Management for Moms 101.

If you're in the market for a school-year planner, you should check these out. They now include both the Ordinary (New) and Extraordinary (Traditional) Forms of the Liturgy with the liturgical colors proper to the day. They are very nice! And, you can choose from nine different covers. You do need to pre-order so visit Family-Centered Press's website to learn more.

The student planners should be available soon as well.

Free Webinar: What is Online Education?

UPDATE: The webinar went great! You can watch the recorded event here: Advantages of Online Education.

Maureen Wittmann will be our presenter for the upcoming free webinar: Online Education vs. Distance Learning.

The internet, used correctly, can be a big plus for your homeschool. This webinar will focus on online education but will also explore other internet resources including research options for students, finding homeschool support, and money saving deals.

Distance learning has been around for over a century. Studies show that distance learning is as effective as classroom instruction. Today we have a new model of education coming to the forefront: Online Education which is interactive and goes beyond distance learning. New studies indicate that online education is leaving classroom instruction in the dust.

Join us for this free and informative webinar to find out why and how. See firsthand the future of education. Attendees will get to personally tryout some of the online educational options. If you own a headset with a microphone, plug it in before entering the webinar and we'll let you use to experience one of the interactive parts of online education.

Bring all of your questions as there will be a Q&A segment.

Date: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Starting time: 8:00 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (7:00 pm, Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Presenter's biography: Maureen Wittmann is co-founder of Homeschool Connections along with Walter Crawford. They are bringing online education to homeschoolers around the globe in an effort to help parents provide a faith-filled, world-class education to their children. Maureen is also the author of For the Love of Literature and co-author of The Catholic Homeschool Companion. She and her husband Rob homeschool their seven children in Michigan.