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Dear Homeschool Connections Supporters,
Thank you for your willingness to let more homeschool families know about us and how we can help them. This guide is designed to help you know more about us, what we do, and how to share this information with other homeschool families. If you have any questions about anything in this document, please never hesitate to call me at 682-201-4448.
Included in this document is the following…- TO BE PRINTED OFF AND PLACED ON TABLE- Enewsletter Sign Up Form
- List of marketing materials and corresponding instructions
- List of frequently asked questions usually asked at a conference
Homeschool Connections will pay for the marketing materials to be sent back to the below address.
Homeschool Connections
221 Dunmore Ct
Keller, Texas 76248
List of Materials for Conference included in my shipment to you
The six materials below are provided by Homeschool Connections mailed in two separate packages:- Homeschool Connections banner contained in 1 round cylinder package
- to be placed across the table’s front edge
- secure with duct tape or a tape of your choosing
- to be returned to the above address
Contained in one box:- Homeschool Connections brochures (50)
- please retain or distribute all at the end of the conference
- Pencils (50)
- please retain or distribute all at the end of the conference
- eNewsletter sign up form
- please return completed form with materials to be shipped, or
- scan document and email to homeschoolconnections@gmail.com
- Live course catalog (not for sale)
- Please return catalog with returned materials
- Recorded course catalog (not for sale)
- Please return catalog with returned materials
- Franciscan University - Homeschool Connections partnership brochures (25)
Optional items you can bring:- Computer to stream a recorded course
- Click this link and log in as a Guest if you wish to broadcast a recorded course -- http://moodle.homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/course/view.php?id=370
- Click recorded courses listed in the course
Q: Do your instructors teach consistently with the Catholic Church?
A: Yes, all of our courses are taught with a strong Catholic ethos.
Q: How are high school credits applied?
A: Parents are the ultimate authority on their children’s work. We give a Suggested High School Credit for each course. This suggestion is based on the student who participates fully in class, completes all assignments, and spends time outside of class reading, researching, and writing.
Q: Is Homeschool Connections an accredited school?
A: No. For the purpose of high school transcripts, this should not be an issue. College admissions departments are used to accepting credits from homeschool families, who are of course entirely unaccredited, as well as from private Christian schools, many of which are also unaccredited. See the Table of Contents for more information: FAQ: Accreditation.
Q: Are you a full-service home study school?
A: No, we are not a school and do not provide record keeping or counseling services. Homeschool Connections was created to supplement what parents are already doing. We have families take advantage of our courses that are enrolled in Seton, Kolbe, Mother of Divine Grace, etc. We also have many families who design their own curriculum using classical, unit studies, Charlotte Mason, and other pedagogical models. We’re here to help families, from those who consider themselves unschoolers to those who follow a very strict scope and sequence. Our goal is to meet parents where they are and help them get the most out of their resources.
Q: What kind of equipment do I need?
A: Students are required to have a computer, high-speed internet, and a headset with microphone.
Q: How does a student "attend class"?
A: Students receive an email with a link to the “classroom.” Classes take place in an audio/visual classroom where the teacher and students meet in a real-time environment. The instructor converses directly with students. The student is able to see and hear the voice of the instructor. Students can respond two ways. They can type in chat or “raise their hand” to respond orally using their headset. There is an adult monitor present in addition to the instructor to help each student prepare for the class and ensure an excellent classroom experience.
Q: Your courses are very reasonable but my budget is tight. How can I save money on your live courses?
A: First, take advantage of the early enrollment discounts. They can save you $10 to $25 per course. Second, sign up for our online newsletter. We frequently offer $10 off coupons on top of the early enrollment discount.
Q: How do I get the Early Enrollment Discount?
A: All you do is enroll before the deadline. The discounted price is automatic. The price will go up the day after the early enrollment deadline has passed.
Q: Will the instructor be available outside of class time?
A: Yes. All of our instructors are available during class time through question and discussion, as well as via e-mail in between the live classes.
Q: How does my child prepare for the classes and get the most out of them?
A: There are many things a student can do to prepare for, and to take full advantage of, their courses, including:- Come to class having read or completed any assignments from the week before.
- Prepare a notebook for the course to take written notes during class and review afterward.
- Participate fully during class time by keeping chats on topic, raising his hand with questions or comments, focusing on the lecture, and avoiding distractions.
- Email the instructor in between classes if any questions arise about course content or homework.
- Go back and watch the recorded class or review the PowerPoint if needed.
- Visit the Moodle page often for additional help. (Moodle is our free educational software.)
Q: What about vacations and breaks?
A: There are no classes most holy days and holidays. Some instructors offer a midterm break. If you have a break that does not correspond with our course calendar, make sure to notify the instructor, watch the recorded class, and complete any homework in a timely manner.
Q: What if my child misses a class?
A: Classes are recorded and made available to students within 24 hours. In the case of a missed class, a student should notify the instructor then go back and watch the recorded class.
Q: What are the course terms? How long are they?
A: With the exception of summer courses, our live courses vary in length from 4 to 15 weeks.
Q: What day of the week and what time are classes held? Also, how long does each class last?
A: Classes typically meet once a week, Monday to Friday, and last between 45 and 60 minutes. However, there are exceptions. Please see individual course descriptions for specifics. Classes are scheduled between the hours of 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern to accommodate the varying schedules and time zones of homeschool families.
Q: How many students are in each class?
A: Courses vary in the number of students enrolled, from 5 to 30. We currently avg. 15 students per class.
Q: How much time per day or week will my child need to devote in order to do well in this course?
A: Generally speaking, students should allow 2 to 5 hours a week, depending on the course requirements. Of course, the amount of time spent on schoolwork depends on how much a student wants to get out of the course and learn.
Q: When should we order the course materials?
A: We do our best to keep costs down for families. Therefore, many of the course materials are available free online. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for materials that need to be borrowed or purchased.
Q: Which Latin course is right for my student?
A: Circumstances vary greatly from student to student. The course descriptions for the Latin courses include prerequisites. Also, we are available by email to help make determinations in individual cases. Additionally, if uncertainty still remains we will encourage a student to take our Latin placement exam prior to the class to determine the best fit.
Q: How does a student access the recordings and homework?
A: We use an educational software called Moodle. This software is free to our students. It is very user-friendly so you may easily access everything necessary to make your course a success. Each student is given a unique user name and password so homework assignments, recordings, and grades are kept private.
Q: How are the courses graded?
A: Parents are the ultimate authorities in grading their children. Most instructors provide graded homework with feedback. Other courses provide tests with answer keys for the parent to grade. We do not provide transcripts, so it is up to the parent to determine final grades and record them.
Q: How do I keep track of my student's grades?
A: In the case of courses that do provide graded homework, the grades are uploaded on the Moodle site and can only be accessed by you. You have access to all course materials (recordings, grades, links, tests, etc.) for 6 months after the completion of each course.
Q: What do I do if I'm unable to take a course once I've already enrolled?
A: Because of busy schedules and potential conflicts with the class times, some people may find they have to drop a course. We will refund 95% of the course fee for cancellations made up to two weeks before the first day of class. Up to 2 weeks following the first class, we will refund 80%. Written notification is required prior to the third class if you would like to receive the partial refund.
Q: Why should I pay $120 for an 8-week course when I can sign up for your Unlimited Access program of recorded courses for only $30 a month?
A: Both the live and recorded courses have their advantages but there are more benefits from the live courses. For example, they give students a real live class experience where they interact with fellow students. Students have complete access to the instructor, during and in between classes, should they have questions or would like to explore a concept more deeply. For courses with graded homework, the parent is saved that task. In addition to letter grades, instructors give comments to help the student better understand what they’re doing right or wrong.
The recorded courses are cheaper and can be taken at a student’s own pace, on his own schedule, 24/7. A younger student can take his time while an older or advanced student can accelerate his work. Plus, there is no need to fit your schedule into the instructor’s schedule.