Some homeschool programs seem to take a full day to get through. It seems that CHC has a somewhat shorter day. Is it possible to have a program that takes less time but still 'covers all the bases'?

Yes! It is CHC's belief that, when solid academics are offered in a gentle, flexible manner, the vast majority of children will blossom spiritually, emotionally, and academically. An exhausted child is not going to be as receptive to learning as is the child who is engaged in his subjects and not overwhelmed. CHC's educational approach lays a joyful foundation, resulting in children who achieve at and above grade level, do not 'burn out,' and instead 'learn how to learn.'

Are CHC materials "light"?

Thanks be to God that CHC materials are "light"!

Light: "1. not heavy, or burdensome; 2. illuminating, not dark and dreary. 3. 'For all of you are children of the Light...' 1Thess.5:5."

Those are exactly the qualities that CHC seeks to promote in its approach to homeschooling!

"Mother-friendly" materials are generally "child-friendly" materials as well. Programs that make teaching difficult often make learning onerous, too. Thus, it is CHC's goal to provide materials that facilitate both teaching and learning experiences.

In addition, CHC recognizes that secular society pushes children to a "premature puberty," that robs children of the simple joys of childhood and family. Similarly, overwhelming young students with hours and hours of school each day can also result in robbing them of their childhood, and discourage them from ever wanting to learn anything. It is CHC's belief that, when solid academics are offered in a gentle, flexible manner, the vast majority of primary children will blossom spiritually, emotionally, and academically. This educational approach lays a joyful foundation, resulting in children who achieve at and above grade level, do not 'burn out,' and instead 'learn how to learn.'

CHC materials are solidly Catholic, but do more than just teach the Faith; they teach the child how to LIVE his Faith, in the context first of his family, and then of society.

CHC materials have been designed specifically to save preparation time for the teacher, and facilitate presentation. Homeschooling is not the same as classroom schooling. CHC workbooks are not identical to classroom texts geared to teach a large group of children at varying levels of ability.

Rather, CHC materials are designed for a one-on-one approach that, after a brief presentation of the lesson, allows the student to work far more independently than do most standard texts. This presentation not only allows the student to work independently, but also frees the teacher to give attention to other students or tasks.

Yet, one might note that CHC materials uphold solid academic standards as well. For example, parents have reported that their students, upon completion of CHC's spelling series, were two years ahead of their grade level in spelling.

One might also compare CHC's well-received Language of God series with other programs at the same level to find that virtually identical topics are covered. (Both the Language of God and My Catholic Speller series are currently in use in some Catholic schools.)

In summary, dieticians agree that balanced servings of protein, cereals, fruits, and vegetables at every meal will result in a healthy child. However, if an apple a day keeps the doctor away, it does not necessarily follow that twenty apples a day will be an improvement on the one. In the same way, CHC strives to offer balanced "servings" of all essential core subjects, with ample enrichment activities, yet without overwhelming the student or his teacher. In all this CHC strives to build souls and families, being ever mindful that parents are, first and foremost, educating for eternity!

How do I know if I'm covering enough material? Often I feel pressured to meet other's demands.

You can be assured that you are teaching the right amount of material by following the lesson plans. Being overwhelmed with work is not 'proof' that work is academically challenging.

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Is CHC accredited?

We are occasionally asked if we are an accredited school. Catholic Heritage Curricula is not a school; therefore, we cannot be accredited.  Rather, CHC operates under the philosophy that your home is your school; as Catholic parents, you should have complete control over what is taught in your home.  CHC facilitates your vision for your own Catholic homeschool, based on the needs of your family.  Our modern, Catholic materials are based on accepted sequences used commonly in public and private schools across the nation prior to the ‘dumbing down’ of texts.  CHC facilitates your homeschooling by providing online support and Catholic materials based on sound academics, by which your children may learn without burnout.

How important is accreditation and is CHC accredited?

Catholic homeschoolers for years have been accepted without accredited diplomas, not only at noted institutions like Franciscan University of Steubenville and Thomas Aquinas College, but in secular colleges across the United States and Canada. In place of a diploma, institutions measure ability by PSAT, SAT, and ACT scores, and gather information on student coursework, transcripts, accomplishment, and community volunteer activity documented in portfolios provided by the family. While admission requirements differ among colleges, both Canadian and U.S. homeschooled students are routinely accepted into college based on these test scores and family-provided proof of education.

U.S. and Canadian universities also accept students who, instead of presenting a high school diploma, demonstrate their ability to compete at college level by successfully completing a few classes at a local community college before transitioning to university.

In addition, not all students are college-bound; some are gifted in carpentry or construction, and would thrive in an apprenticeship that transitions to a desired profession. Catholic homeschoolers are transitioning into the workforce through both formal and informal apprenticeships. Thus, a student who demonstrates interest and skill in auto mechanics might apprentice himself, gain credit hours toward graduation with hands-on training, and finish high school with a trade.

An 'activity and project' portfolio is an effective means of documenting accomplishment not only to a potential employer, but also for high school graduation and community college admissions, coupled with SAT/ACT scores. [Colleges often view an impressive history of volunteer service in the community and other significant experiential education, coupled with average SAT/ACT scores, as favorably as high SAT/ACT scores coupled with little or no community service or activity.]

Another alternative for transitioning from high school used by Catholic homeschoolers, is the GED. Graduates have used the GED, in conjunction with SAT/ACT scores and without, as a springboard into the armed forces, vocational schools, community colleges, and university.

Students who prefer to do so may earn an accredited diploma, using CHC's High School of Your Dreams, under the 'umbrella' of Clonlara School, or North Atlantic Regional High School. High School of Your Dreams' required subjects for high school graduation match Clonlara requirements. North Atlantic Regional High School's course requirements differ slightly but, since they require significantly fewer hours and credits, utilizing High School of Your Dreams' program to earn NARHS's diploma is equally simple. Both Clonlara and North Atlantic Regional High School are completely compatible with the format, freedoms, and flexibility afforded by High School of Your Dreams, but with diploma added.

For students who wish to earn a diploma from Clonlara or NARHS, these organizations do charge an annual fee, and a have a few additional requirements including portfolios and documentation of hours earned through High School of Your Dreams. More information can be obtained by contacting Clonlara School at www.clonlara.org, #1-866-859-0777, or North Atlantic Regional High School at www.narhs.org, #207-753-1522.

Thus, Catholic homeschooling students have numerous, routinely used options for demonstrating completion of high school requirements and readiness for college or career, including the earning of an accredited diploma, but also through testing [SAT, ACT, GED], community college classwork, and apprenticeships. Remember that an accredited diploma alone is no guarantee that a student will be accepted by a college; conversely, the student with solid SAT scores and a portfolio brimming with evidence of a motivated young adult will likely be welcomed at university, diploma or not.

Our family would use CHC in a heartbeat, but my husband insists that we use an accredited program that grants a high school diploma.  So we are paying a lot of money to be registered with another school, when we'd rather use CHC.  Will you be accredited soon?  Help!

You can use CHC and receive accreditation and a diploma as well, by using all of CHC materials under an umbrella school.   Our children and other CHC families have followed this approach, primarily for high school, as it is rarely necessary to use an accredited program prior to that time.  Clonlara School allows students to 'sign on' as late as the beginning of their senior year, and still receive an accredited diploma, as long as the student can document his previous high school studies.  By taking this route, families can save a tremendous amount in registration fees over thirteen years of schooling!  [However, if you decide to register with Clonara only for senior year, it is best to contact them at least six months ahead of time.]

Briefly stated, Clonlara is an accredited, non-sectarian school that doesn't supply you with materials or lesson plans, but instead allows you the freedom to teach your children with CHC lesson plans and materials, almost exactly as you would if you weren't registered with them.  [They do require minimal record-keeping so that they might issue credits for your student's school year.]  See: http://www.clonlara.org/home_based

While lack of accreditation is not a problem in most states, and college can easily be accessed without an accredited diploma, some do prefer to register with an umbrella school.  Registering with Clonlara's umbrella school program allows you the freedom to use CHC, but within an accredited school, and at a great savings if you choose to register for high school only.

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One family shares: "Homeschooling with a newborn is very realistic! We had a 3-month-old the summer we began to homeschool, and a 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th grader (and no teaching credentials). Yet, it only took us a month to know that none of us wanted to 'go back' to public school. The children began to be friends, rather than divided by peer pressure to only associate with children of their own age. That is a nice 'extra' with homeschoolers. They are socially well-adjusted, communicating and interacting well with both children and adults. There is a peace and wholeness to homeschooling, rather than that fragmentation often experienced with each going here and there.

"It is a blessing for families to work together to get things done. This is how the children learn to be responsible and active members of the family. Our older children loved cuddling and strolling the baby while I worked with another child. They learned to work independently in many subjects. Later, they enjoyed taking a 10 minute break from their schoolwork to give the ever-active toddler a 'lesson' in singing, jumping, painting, quiet reading (so many skills - communicating, patience, listening, setting a good example - are best learned by teaching another!). We found rotating chore charts very helpful; they included laundry, dishes, cleaning a room of the house, emptying trashes, cooking meals, and anything else that needed to be done..."

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Where do I start? How do I begin?

Just beginning the homeschooling adventure? CHC is here to help! While we charge no tuition, we nevertheless offer 'CHC family' support for your homeschooling journey. Our staff of experienced homeschooling moms and teachers is waiting to answer your questions and lend a hand. Visit Mom-to-Mom Connections!

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We are new to CHC and homeschooling. How do I know what materials to purchase?

If you are just starting the homeschooling journey, or have never purchased core curricula from CHC before, CHC offers a one-time 'Taste and See Beginner's Special.'  This offer includes discounts on grade-level kits and free shipping on core CHC curricula, the foundational texts that provide a rock-solid foundation for your child's academic future. Visit Discounts and Giveaways for details!

While we charge no tuition or enrollment fees, we nevertheless offer 'CHC family' support for your homeschooling journey.  Our staff of experienced homeschooling moms and teachers is waiting to answer your questions and lend a hand.  Visit Mom-to-Mom Connections or submit a question.

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Often, the reason that children seem to need remedial help and motivation is because they have become discouraged by the pace and amount of work demanded. Having the freedom to set the pace for your homeschool and for your children can take the pressure off and allow you to give the children time to catch up. Testing may reveal that your children are not far behind at all, but are rather discouraged by the hours required to finish needless assignments given by people who don't know your children.

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CHC is committed to keeping prices as low as possible for families on one income, which leaves no room for the usual discount to bookstores, which then mark the price up so that they might have a profit also.

Further, customer purchases from CHC are what enable us to invest in the development and production of Catholic materials. Quite simply, if CHC were not in business, CHC materials would not be available to Catholic homeschoolers. Some providers produce no materials of their own, but instead re-market materials produced by other publishers, such as Saxon. If a Catholic provider who used Saxon materials went out of business, Catholic homeschoolers could still purchase Saxon books elsewhere. However, if CHC were not in business, CHC's exclusive materials would not be available at all. Thus, customers' direct purchasing from CHC benefits not only CHC, but the customer as well.

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CHC recognizes that secular society pushes children to a 'premature puberty' that robs children of the simple joys of childhood and family. Public school is replete with its own challenges, both of a spiritual nature and academically as well.

Similarly, overwhelming young students with hours and hours of school each day can also result in robbing them of their childhood, and discourage them from ever wanting to learn anything. CHC offers a balance of all core, essential subjects and ample enrichment activities, without overwhelming the student or his teacher. Still, for families who are experiencing a new baby or other unexpected demands on their school time, CHC suggests a focus on 'core' subjects, which are clearly labeled in CHC's grade-by-grade lesson plans. CHC's flexible program allows enrichment activities to be returned to the schedule as time permits; the focus on 'core' subjects assures that the student will be exposed to all that is necessary for his grade level, without placing undue demands on student or teacher.

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While it is true that there are no 'Catholic' spelling or grammar rules or geography, CHC materials are similar to the endearing and faith-filled Catholic materials used in Catholic schools in years past. As Catholics, our Faith should permeate every facet of our lives. George Weigel wrote in his biography of John Paul II, Witness to Hope, "Nothing in his life happens outside the truth of the 'more excellent way.' His faith is not one facet of his personality or one dimension of his intellect. His faith IS Karol Wojtyla, at the most profound level of his personhood."

When religion is taught only as a separate subject, the subtle message given is that religion does not permeate our lives; it is only something we learn in this class, and/or live at Holy Mass. Nothing could be further from the truth, or from what we wish our children to be.

Rather, it is absolutely possible to teach grammar and geography, handwriting and phonics, with a solid academic base while at the same time training children to live their Faith within the microcosm of their families and within the larger world. For example, CHC's phonics program teaches reading in the context of Catholic family life, including engaging stories about obedience, thoughtfulness, helpfulness, and the sanctity of human life.

CHC materials, in a gentle, often subtle and happy way, recognize that our Faith is not a separate component of our lives, but rather who we are and Who we wish to be transformed into.

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The idea that one can somehow use Protestant materials and just tell the children that the book is wrong, or that "Luther was a false prophet" seems at first glance to solve the problem. However, one cannot teach truth by simply pointing out error. An example: If your child tells you that 6 x 4 is 12, how far will his understanding of multiplication advance if you just tell him that his answer is wrong? Error must not only be refuted but the truth must be taught in its place. That is the key problem with using protestant materials, and why we strongly advocate the use of Catholic materials! When our Faith and salvation are at stake, is it enough to say that Luther was wrong? How does that teach and convince the child of the eternal truths of Holy Mother Church? One cannot learn them by osmosis. . . As Christians we are called to be signs of contradiction. We are not merely called to avoid error but to live and teach Truth.

Some maintain that, after the student reads the non-Catholic text, the lesson can be supplemented with Catholic teaching. However, not only has the false idea already been planted, but the teacher must find time in the school day to add that teaching to the schedule. How much better then, rather than carving out additional time to teach the Catholic perspective on the topic and/or risking that the student will be taught doctrine that runs counter to our Catholic Faith, to simply teach one lesson that contains the Truth, all within the context of the solid academics found in the Catholic text.

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My family follows a general Charlotte Mason Education approach, yet would like to incorporate CHC materials into our schooling. Is this possible?

Would you be surprised to learn that a number of Catholic homeschooling families follow a Charlotte Mason approach yet also pull many of their materials from CHC? One family shares how they accomplish this:

CHERYL, JAPAN: "One of the things I love most about CHC is that it is so "light" that you can implement the Classical or Charlotte Mason method even while following the CHC plans to the tee! I love History, so I add History starting in 1st grade as a read aloud. We also add living books for Religion, Nature Stories, and Nature walks and drawings as well. CHC blends so nicely with these two methods that even at the end of our school day I am not burned out from school, only from my sweet little monkeys climbing on me for playtime! ...  We have been using CHC for a little over 6 years now and we all LOVE IT."

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We suggest one easy step: try a lesson plan and a spelling and/or grammar workbook to get a good feel for CHC's gentle approach and to gain confidence that, as it has for thousands of other families, the CHC approach will work for you, too. Try a few lessons with the children and see how they respond. Some families like to do a 'mini-school' session in early summer [if they are public schooling] or take a break from their current homeschool approach for a few weeks and try a bit of CHC. The cost is small, and you will already have a beginning for your homeschooling adventure with CHC!

Perhaps the most informative approach would be to peruse CHC's Grade-by-Grade Guides at www.chccatalog.com. Click on the grade-appropriate guide. From this bounty of detailed sample pages, one will be better able to assess the materials.

Next, click on Exclusives on the home page, then select a subject area, such as Language of God series. That will open to reveal more buttons from View Details, which will lead to even more buttons such as Learn More, View Samples, and Related FAQs. Hidden behind each of these buttons is a veritable wealth of information!

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Some programs, in an honest effort to provide a complete education, end up overwhelming young students with hours and hours of school each day, and discourage them from ever wanting to learn anything.

It is sometimes mistakenly thought that if a child is not struggling or spending at least five or six hours a day on school, that his education must be deficient. In most cases, just the opposite is true. CHC elementary materials are designed as bite-size lessons so that a child can easily absorb and understand the concepts. Bogging the child down with unnecessary busy work and repetition causes burnout and eventually the child shuts down. Students who follow the scheduled studies suggested in CHC's Lesson Plans and complete the assignments will have a positive educational experience, without the frustration and burnout.

CHC offers a balance of all core, essential subjects and ample enrichment activities, without overwhelming the student or his teacher. CHC's flexible program allows enrichment activities to be returned to the schedule as time permits; the focus on 'core' subjects assures that the student will be exposed to all that is necessary for his grade level, without placing undue demands on student or teacher.

Further, CHC-produced materials are designed to be self-teaching insofar as possible, to free the teacher for other tasks, and encourage the student to think and work independently.

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I am drawn to the classical approach - what do you think of all the different homeschooling methods?

Different methods are fine. After all, each one of us is unique! However, method is not as important as are the subjects taught. We do need to be careful to teach our children subjects that will be useful. Latin is helpful, yes, but perhaps we go easy on some of the classical approach. Greek mythology is good to a point, as it is part of our culture, but we need to ask if the time expended on an in-depth, lengthy study will necessarily give back in equal measure.

Something else to remember is that we are not teaching our children just for the sake of learning - it also has to be for doing. Their education must ultimately serve a useful purpose and prepare them for productive adult years. What will they be able to do with their education?

Would you be surprised to learn that a number of Catholic homeschooling families follow a general Classical Education approach yet also pull many of their materials from CHC? A few families have shared how they accomplish this:

JENN, INDIANA: "We have 5 children ranging in age from high school to toddlers and follow a Classical Model of school.  We do history and science on a revolving 4 year cycle, teach Latin, and strive to challenge each child at their own level.  CHC is a WONDERFUL resource to help us accomplish these goals. They've all learned to read with a mixture that includes Little Stories for Little Folks.  Some of the children love My Catholic Spellers so much that they ask to do them in summers.  The additional activities in A Year With God really help cement their understanding of what it means to live a Catholic life, along with the saint stories from CHC and growing in virtue along with the children in Bigger Stories for Little Folks and Devotional Stories for Little Folks.  My children have thought CHC's Latin Readers were a fun supplement and I've been able to give A Garden of Puzzles to younger children who wanted to do Logic with their older siblings.  In the early years the Language of God grammar series has been just what each child needed, although we don't necessarily follow the suggested grade levels for every child.  The children have been well-prepared to begin challenging grammar studies in middle school after starting their journey with the Language of God series.  Language of God allowed them to see the beauty of our language while laying the ground work in grammar studies.  The middle school years' extra lesson plans for All Ye Lands and From Sea to Shining Sea help drive the information home.  We use these middle school textbooks as our spine, hopping through parts of each chapter following the information chronologically.  This means we use All Ye Lands over 2-1/2 years and From Sea to Shining Sea over 2 years.  This allows us to use a Catholic spine while adding in living books at the child's level. The literature analysis of good Catholic literature CHC provides for high school also fits well with our Classical Method of schooling.  Surprisingly to me, High School of Your Dreams has been a fantastic resource for my Classically educated children.  As each child expresses an interest, I can utilize High School of Your Dreams and tailor electives for a wonderful variety suited to each child, or while they take a high school major in classical literature, they can have a high school minor in any topic of their choice and I don't have to wrack my brain to get them started on something I have no knowledge or interest in -- High School of Your Dreams already did that for me!  What a wonderful transcript at the end of a classical education CHC has enabled us to give our children."

DIANE, WASHINGTON: "I consider myself to be a Classical homeschooler of sorts.  I think the term "Classical" can be broad in our homeschooling sphere, so let me narrow down some of what we do. I follow the trivium taught in most classical approaches, teaching according to developmental stages, CHC does this perfectly for our children.  Dictation is also a part of the classical approach and I like the way CHC reminds me and helps me to use dictation in the Language of God series for the primary grades.   The hands-on work throughout social studies and history helps make a dull subject "living" and more easily retained.  In following Easy 1,2,3 in the primary grades and encouraging nature study, science becomes engaging and focused.  I feel the Greek and Latin roots in the spellers are important, not so because it is a "classical" method, but more so because it helps understand language.  We use the Little Latin Readers for read-aloud time.  My children will study the words on their own one day, the next day read to me the story. One memory gem is read every morning for one week following the lesson plans.  When certain behaviors pop up, I find myself remembering a memory gem and reciting it to my children to help with improvement of this behavior.  In summary... CHC is the right Classical method for our family."

CHERYL, JAPAN: "One of the things I love most about CHC is that it is so "light" that you can implement the Classical or Charlotte Mason method even while following the CHC plans to the tee! I love History, so I add History starting in 1st grade as a read aloud. We also add living books for Religion, Nature Stories, and Nature walks and drawings as well. CHC blends so nicely with these two methods that even at the end of our school day I am not burned out from school, only from my sweet little monkeys climbing on me for playtime! ...  We have been using CHC for a little over 6 years now and we all LOVE IT."

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An interesting book that will provide you with encouragement and support is Homeschooling for Excellence by David and Micki Colfax. This is the story of a family that homeschooled their four sons with the philosophy that "children will learn, will aspire to excellence, if we recognize and respect their different interests and abilities and give them a chance to develop them." Their boys went on to graduate from Harvard.

If a student is motivated to learn, and read and writes reasonably well, he will succeed at the college level. College courses are less demanding than they once were, because high school courses are less demanding than they once were.

Ninety-five percent of college preparation is preparing the child for learning, i.e., teaching the child how to learn. Is it necessary first to teach him economics if he is going to major in that field in college? No, just equip him with a good foundation in language arts - vocabulary, spelling, reading and writing - the ability to study, and self discipline. He will succeed.

Yes, it is good to take math if you are going into economics, and biology if you are going into a medical field, but it is not impossible to give the child those basics at home. The motivated student can pick up a biology book and prepare himself well for basic college biology without any other input. And Saxon Math can take the mathematically gifted child through calculus, etc. [But don't worry if your child isn't taking trig, if he doesn't plan to go into a field that will require it!]

Most majors are chosen because the student has an interest in that field; someone who hates math and has only taken general math in high school probably isn't planning on an engineering degree anyway.

CHC's approach offers the academics but allows the child to explore, too. This approach is more helpful than just pushing everyone into a pre-formed college track. With a little guidance and prayer, the explorer will find a niche and prepare himself.

In a word: no.

Rather than focusing on formal transcripts and diplomas, most colleges and universities instead examine a prospective student's SAT and ACT scores, and look for a clear sense of intellectual growth and a quest for knowledge as reflected in their high school studies and activities.

The majority of institutes of higher education look favorably on homeschoolers, particularly those who have done well in their high school studies and hence on their SATs and ACTs.

The following links provide some idea of the scope of quality schools that welcome homeschoolers, and college-related information for homeschoolers.

http://learninfreedom.org/colleges_4_hmsc.html
http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000000/CollegeExcel07.pdf

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Not at all. The vast majority of homeschooling teachers today were educated in public or parochial schools, and are thus accustomed to the idea that grade level and age are inextricably linked. If a child turns five by August 31st, then he must be ready for Kindergarten, but not so if his birthday is September 1st. As you undoubtedly see with your own children, age is a somewhat arbitrary - and often inaccurate - means of determining academic readiness. Some children, for example, are ready and eager to read at age four; others may not be ready until age seven or eight. If, in your assessment, the two boys could benefit from placing them both in the same grade, you are free to do so.

Certainly.

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First, all of CHC's K-4 Lesson Plans and Guides for Middle School and High School fit together to provide a solid, complete, family-friendly K-12 Catholic education. Adding enrichment materials is unnecessary, because enrichment activities are already included in CHC Plans. However, one of the many benefits of homeschooling is that families can add materials if their child has a special interest. Therefore, if the child has extra time and the addition of 'extras' will not cause an added burden and 'burnout' for either parent or child, CHC's programs do allow families the freedom to add materials as desired.

Yes! CHC offers solid academics, but without the 'burn out.' CHC's approach provides a sound education, while training a child to 'learn how to learn.'

CHC materials are centrally balanced between the 'too rigorous approach' and 'too lax approach,' with materials and lesson plans that offer sound academics spiced with plenty of fun and enrichment to keep burn-out at bay.

In addition, requirements differ from school to school and state to state. Even Catholic providers differ in their approaches, schedules, and curricula! Remember that perhaps half the hours a student spends in public school are filled with moving from classroom to classroom, listening to the teacher try to maintain order, hearing directions repeated for those who weren't listening, recess, presentations, etc. Be aware, also, that most public school teachers are unable to finish textbooks assigned to that grade within the school year! Thus, it is almost impossible for a dedicated homeschooling family NOT to provide the student as good an education as he would receive in a public school. Case after case bears this out: 'unschooled' students who went on to graduate from Harvard; Abraham Lincoln who, with about three months of formal education, became a lawyer and then President of the United States. Nationwide testing of homeschoolers reveals that homeschoolers score at about the 87th percentile on achievement tests, compared to the 50th percentile score of public schooled children. Significantly, less than one-fourth of all homeschooling families use a pre-packaged curriculum.

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Will CHC be present at any Catholic homeschool conferences this year?

After prayer and careful planning, CHC has developed an alternate means of displaying our exclusive materials online in lieu of conferences. If you have always wanted to browse CHC materials at a conference, but were unable to attend because of distance, time, or family constraints, we invite you to visit our 365-days-a-year, free Virtual Conference. Enter the conference here. Be sure to check out the Discounts & Giveaways!

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In truth, very often it isn't the material that is the problem - it's the child who whines and doesn't want to do the work. It is easier to blame the materials than it is to face the challenge of training the child, who has long since learned how to get his way. In reality, there are only two courses open to our children: to be God-centered or to be self centered. Original sin inclines us to seek the satisfaction of our selfish whims. We want to encourage our children to be God-centered [which translates into others-centered]! Please see Discipline for more information.

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A generous copyright was previously extended to families for the spellers, grammar, phonics, science worktexts, and lesson plans. However, it was frightfully abused by many who copied indiscriminately, often not only for themselves but for friends and even entire homeschool groups! When the one book sold by CHC becomes three or four or six books through photocopying, customers do save a small amount of money. However, their savings, because of the cost of printing and development for CHC, comes at the price of loss for CHC and, ultimately, for the customers. If no photocopying took place, and all those who use CHC materials actually purchased them from CHC, we would be able to print in larger quantity. Printing in larger quantity would lower our costs; this savings would benefit not only CHC, but allow us to keep our prices lower for the customer as well.

As of Fall 2002, all newly-published materials fall under standard copyright law, which doesn't allow copying of the material. A Year with God and CHC Lesson Plan Guide for the Middle School Years are the exceptions as they are fully reproducible for your family's use. CHC strives to aid large Catholic families by keeping costs waaay low, but the Catholic homeschooling market is still quite small and when folks "share," or pay for one copy but transform it through photocopying to more than one, it suddenly becomes very small indeed. We want to be here in the future serving your family - please help us make this possible by helping all to honor copyright law. In a sense, one might envision all who are connected with CHC - writers, artists, and Catholic families - as an united force cooperating for the good of all our families and ultimately, Church and society.

Yes, this would violate the copyright law, which is in place to protect the copyright holder's work, investments, and income. To copy pages from the lesson plans would undermine the CHC apostolate by causing financial loss to the artists and authors, who depend on the royalty from each sale for their income. CHC is a team effort: We expend a great deal of personal and financial sacrifice in the apostolate to write and publish materials which are affordable, easy to use, flexible, solidly Catholic, and full of ready-to-go ideas for living the Faith. We truly appreciate your understanding and cooperation by purchasing the group copyright on any materials you wish to share with a group, thus enabling CHC to continue publishing!

Large, nationally recognized book publishing corporations enjoy the luxury of wide advertising and name recognition. Their products, which might range from cookbooks, to Wiccan philosophy, to dog obedience books, are available at bookstores in shopping malls across the nation. Thus, publishers are able to print thousands and thousands of copies. By printing in such enormous quantity, the cost to the publisher per copy of each book is low, enabling them to make a reasonable profit on sales. In contrast, CHC prints for a very specific and narrow market: Catholic homeschoolers. CHC's one and only outlet is located in our small warehouse. Because we are a small family business, we are unable to print in the quantity that would allow for a comfortable profit. However, by careful stewardship, we are able to continue to serve your family. Please pray that, as Catholic homeschooling grows and demand for CHC products increases, we might be able to print in the larger quantity that would benefit both CHC and the families whom we serve.

We often receive questions regarding CHC's copyright on the lesson plans. The copyright on lesson plans, in the current editions, is a standard copyright, which allows unlimited use of the material as long as copies are not made of the work. If families were to photocopy the plans for more than one child - for all the children in the family - then the price of the plans would have to be much higher. The price is extremely low for all that is included: besides lesson plans, each is packed with enrichment projects and supplemental courses. The additional bonus to using one lesson plan per child is twofold: You will enjoy writing in the plans and having a permanent record to look back on, and we are constantly updating and adding new materials and ideas when we reprint each lesson plan. We both win when the copyright law is honored; CHC and its authors and artists receive payment they have earned, which in turn enables CHC to continue to publish more materials for your growing family!

When book users write to publishers or authors for permission to copy, those requests customarily are to copy a passage or page, generally for use as a quotation in an article or a book. It would be extraordinarily unusual, for example, for someone to ask Ignatius Press' permission to make copies of two or three of their books specifically because they didn't want to purchase a copy, and even more unusual for Ignatius Press to grant permission.

Imagine someone stepping into Walden Books and asking permission to copy one of their novels instead of buying it. If permission were granted, not only would the bookstore go out of business, but so would their publishers and authors. In essence, asking permission to copy an entire book is the same as asking a business to give away free copies.

Again, permissions to copy are generally granted for brief passages used as quotations in articles, or in other books.

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We are new to dictation this year, and I'm not exactly sure how it works. The 3rd grade lesson plans suggest dictation from the Language of God grammar book. I thought I was supposed to read a sentence to my daughter and she would write it. But she is not a good speller, so she asks me how to spell most of the words. Rather than spell them all to her, I just gave her the book so she could copy the sentence. I'm not sure what the goal of dictation is. Will this approach of letting her copy achieve the goal of dictation?

Your instincts are good! By instructing your daughter to copy a selection from the book, you are preparing her for the next step, which is dictation.

Copywork and dictation improve retention, writing, and listening skills; copywork and dictation are particularly useful for spelling and grammar practice, as they utilize a multi-sensory --auditory, visual, and tactile-- means of learning.

A simple approach to copywork and dictation would be to pick a simple sentence from her grammar or spelling book, then discuss the nouns, verbs, punctuation, capital letters, and/or spelling.

Next, instruct the student to copy the sentence from the book. After she completes this exercise, she can check her own work by comparing it to the sentence in the book and correcting any errors.

The next day, you might briefly look at and discuss the sentence again, praising your student's spelling, penmanship, or other good points, while at the same time issuing a gentle reminder to watch for any possible points of difficulty. Then instruct the student to listen carefully while you dictate the sentence to her.

If, using this method, you find that the dictation itself is still a bit too advanced for your student, and that she continues to want help with spelling most words, she might focus on copywork alone for a few months, until she becomes a bit more comfortable with dictation.

You may also wish, in a casual manner, to dictate spelling words to her on non-test days, perhaps while driving to the store, to help her begin to hear and mentally visualize individual words. Praise her when she spells words correctly and point out that she is doing well with simple dictation.

Over time, exposure to words, sentences, and paragraphs through copywork and dictation will significantly improve your daughter's grasp of grammar and spelling. By assigning copywork as you have been, you are laying a good foundation for English composition!

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First, 'being behind' in one subject doesn't necessarily mean that your child is behind overall in her grade. Remember that in the average public school classroom, approximately half of the students are 'ahead' of the curve in any given subject, and half are 'behind.' Three of the great benefits of homeschooling are that 1. your child can work at his own pace, 2. the one-on-one that you give your child will help him catch up in time, and 3. generally, after a few years of homeschooling, most students score above grade level on standardized tests.

Core subjects are the 'basic essentials' of education, often thought of as the 'Three R's.' CHC offers a balance of all core, essential subjects and ample enrichment activities, without overwhelming the student or his teacher. Still, for families who have just started homeschooling a discouraged child, or who are experiencing a new baby or other unexpected demands on their school time, CHC suggests a focus on 'core' subjects. 'Core subjects' are clearly labeled in CHC's grade-by-grade lesson plans, making it delightfully easy to trim the day's schedule as needed. CHC's flexible program allows enrichment activities to be returned to the schedule as time permits; the focus on 'core' subjects assures that the student will be exposed to all that is necessary for his grade level, without placing undue demands on student or teacher.

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We are educating for eternity, and our materials reflect that goal.  Catholic content in CHC offerings is not ‘in addition to,’ but interwoven in the subjects, as naturally as our Holy Faith is, or should be, woven into daily life.  When our children search to identify nouns within an amusing story about brothers and sisters helping one another with family chores, our Faith is presented as naturally on the page as it is within our family dynamics.
 
Secular materials reflect secular mores and a secular outlook on life.  Catholic materials reflect Christian morals and a Christian outlook on life.  A youngster watching Mama tenderly nursing the new baby is experiencing a gentle teaching on the Gospel of Life.  Similarly, in a natural way, CHC lessons and stories gently witness to the beauty of God, eternally present in hearts, home, and all of Creation.  To the believer, all life and all creation, every moment speak His Name.  Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever.

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We are new to dictation this year, and I'm not exactly sure how it works. The 3rd grade lesson plans suggest dictation from the Language of God grammar book. I thought I was supposed to read a sentence to my daughter and she would write it. But she is not a good speller, so she asks me how to spell most of the words. Rather than spell them all to her, I just gave her the book so she could copy the sentence. I'm not sure what the goal of dictation is. Will this approach of letting her copy achieve the goal of dictation?

Your instincts are good! By instructing your daughter to copy a selection from the book, you are preparing her for the next step, which is dictation.

Copywork and dictation improve retention, writing, and listening skills; copywork and dictation are particularly useful for spelling and grammar practice, as they utilize a multi-sensory --auditory, visual, and tactile-- means of learning.

A simple approach to copywork and dictation would be to pick a simple sentence from her grammar or spelling book, then discuss the nouns, verbs, punctuation, capital letters, and/or spelling.

Next, instruct the student to copy the sentence from the book. After she completes this exercise, she can check her own work by comparing it to the sentence in the book and correcting any errors.

The next day, you might briefly look at and discuss the sentence again, praising your student's spelling, penmanship, or other good points, while at the same time issuing a gentle reminder to watch for any possible points of difficulty. Then instruct the student to listen carefully while you dictate the sentence to her.

If, using this method, you find that the dictation itself is still a bit too advanced for your student, and that she continues to want help with spelling most words, she might focus on copywork alone for a few months, until she becomes a bit more comfortable with dictation.

You may also wish, in a casual manner, to dictate spelling words to her on non-test days, perhaps while driving to the store, to help her begin to hear and mentally visualize individual words. Praise her when she spells words correctly and point out that she is doing well with simple dictation.

Over time, exposure to words, sentences, and paragraphs through copywork and dictation will significantly improve your daughter's grasp of grammar and spelling. By assigning copywork as you have been, you are laying a good foundation for English composition!

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We understand your concerns regarding college and accreditation, and encourage you not to worry. First, a diploma isn't necessary until 12th grade. Second, the primary reason for a diploma is fear of college rejection. However, there are many Catholic colleges that accept homeschoolers without any diploma at all! In addition, in lieu of a diploma, highschoolers can begin taking college-level courses at a community college, and then transfer from that point to a four-year college, again, without a diploma. Be assured, the good SAT and ACT scores most homeschoolers earn will go far in gaining admission to college.

However, does it not seem that the measure for success is often whether or not everyone feels totally drained from using a program/schedule that is too demanding? We know of a young man who was more or less 'unschooled,' finished high school without a diploma, and went on to a Catholic college. He is very motivated, a hard worker, has a great love for Jesus - and was also able to complete college courses well enough to be accepted into Ave Maria School of Law.

In addition, another acquaintance was homeschooled K-12 [not through CHC], had very little exposure to science (no biology or chemistry at all), small exposure to the writing/composition so necessary for college, but with a strong faith and willingness to work. She recently graduated from the nursing program at Franciscan University of Steubenville - a tough course even for those who are well prepared. So, the character formation and work ethic cultivated in the home count as much or more than the academics themselves.

Students who prefer to do so may earn an accredited diploma, using CHC's High School of Your Dreams, under the 'umbrella' of Clonlara School, or North Atlantic Regional High School. High School of Your Dreams' required subjects for high school graduation match Clonlara requirements. North Atlantic Regional High School's course requirements differ slightly but, since they require significantly fewer hours and credits, utilizing High School of Your Dreams' program to earn NARHS's diploma is equally simple. Both Clonlara and North Atlantic Regional High School are completely compatible with the format, freedoms, and flexibility afforded by High School of Your Dreams, but with diploma added.

For students who wish to earn a diploma from Clonlara or NARHS, these organizations do charge an annual fee, and a have a few additional requirements including portfolios and documentation of hours earned through High School of Your Dreams. More information can be obtained by contacting Clonlara School at www.clonlara.org, #1-866-859-0777, or North Atlantic Regional High School at www.narhs.org, #800-882-2828.

Another alternative for transitioning from high school used by Catholic homeschoolers, is the GED. Graduates have used the GED, in conjunction with SAT/ACT scores and without, as a springboard into the armed forces, vocational schools, community colleges, and university.

Thus, Catholic homeschooling students have numerous, routinely used options for demonstrating completion of high school requirements and readiness for college or career, including the earning of an accredited diploma, but also through testing [SAT, ACT, GED], community college classwork, and apprenticeships. Remember that an accredited diploma alone is no guarantee that a student will be accepted by a college; conversely, the student with solid SAT scores and a portfolio brimming with evidence of a motivated young adult will likely be welcomed at university, diploma or not.

In the final analysis, a child's motivation and a nurturing, Catholic environment appear to be the real determinate factors for success, not whether or not he has a diploma. And it is difficult for a burned-out child to feel either motivated or nurtured (and difficult for a burned-out parent to nurture!)

In a word: no.

Rather than focusing on formal transcripts and diplomas, most colleges and universities instead examine a prospective student's SAT and ACT scores, and look for a clear sense of intellectual growth and a quest for knowledge as reflected in their high school studies and activities.

The majority of institutes of higher education look favorably on homeschoolers, particularly those who have done well in their high school studies and hence on their SATs and ACTs.

The following links provide some idea of the scope of quality schools that welcome homeschoolers, and college-related information for homeschoolers.

http://learninfreedom.org/colleges_4_hmsc.html
http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000000/CollegeExcel07.pdf

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The truth is 'absent discipline equals absent learning.' CHC's materials reinforce good behavior and contain many positive and helpful character-building tips. You may also find helpful the media kit You're a Better Parent Than You Think. It is produced by Dr. Ray Guarendi, a Catholic psychologist and homeschooling father of ten [all adopted] who often speaks on methods of discipline.

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I'm discouraged! Do you have any suggestions?

What do you think is the greatest ‘drag’ on homeschooling?  Teaching higher level math, or science?  Nope; the greatest ‘drag’ on homeschooling is the discouragement virus.  Some of the symptoms sound like this:  “Am I depriving my child by teaching him at home?” “I have no patience.”  “I feel like I’m trying to cover too much, and doing a poor job at all of it.”

The inoculation against this deadly ‘discouragement virus’ begins with the realization that we aren’t homeschooling alone.  God is with us; our homeschools are His work, too.  View homeschooling progress as God views spiritual progress: from the scope not of one day, but from eternity.  If our Father delights in our toddling spiritual steps toward Him, we don’t need to judge ourselves more harshly than He does.

What period of time elapsed between your baby’s first self-feeding and the time he could neatly feed himself with silverware and no bib?  A week?  A month?  A year, or two?   As we can see the long-range perspective, and exercise so much patience with progress in self-feeding, we can have the same patient perspective with academics, both with our children and with ourselves.

As with self-feeding, neither measure progress by the day or week, nor focus on every single spill.  Rather, compare work on a quarterly basis, and focus on what the child is doing right.  Yes, correct where correction is needed, but spend even more time noting what the child has learned.   Take photos; keep portfolios of work, and then go over them with your children every three or four months.  You will be surprised at how much you have all progressed!.

When the ‘discouragement virus’ begins to lurk, banish it with the knowledge that Our Lord is at your right side as your helper; He delights in you and the eternal gift that you are giving your children through Christ-centered homeschooling. 

On a related note, one common problem that leads to discouragement is trying to teach older siblings while the toddler destroys the house.   One solution is to rotate schedules so that each older child is assigned a time to play with the toddler while mom is teaching.  In other words, during John’s math instruction time, Gina automatically plays with the toddler.  When it’s Gina’s turn for math, John automatically knows that it’s his turn to keep the toddler occupied.

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I am confused as to what an e-book really is. How do I access it? Will I be able to "read" it more than once?

There are several ways to download your e-book, two of which were available at the time of your order (clicking on the e-book link given on your confirmation page and "order success" page), but there are three other ways as well:
 
1. Have you received the auto email sent at the time of your order? This email contains a quick link to download your e-book.
 
2. Log on to your CHC online profile by clicking "My Account" on the homepage or https://www.chcweb.com/catalog/login.php. Type in the email address and password which was used to open your online account and place your order. If you can't remember the password, or you placed your order by phone, please click the "Password forgotten?" link to reset your password. Once in your account, click on the E-book download link provided directly below the order you just placed. This link is also available in the "My Orders" section. Click on this link to open Adobe Acrobat Reader and print your book.
 
3. Follow the instructions above to access your account. Click on the "View" button beside the order you just placed. This opens up a web version of your invoice. Below the name of your e-book will be a download link. Click on this to open Adobe Acrobat Reader and print your book.
 
I hope this download information is helpful. If you see only a blank page, it is possible that your computer may be fighting the Adobe Acrobat software. In this case, you want to double-check that you have the newest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 9). Usually difficulties like this are resolved by upgrading to the newest version at http://get.adobe.com/reader/.
 
What is an e-book? It is actually an electronic version of a conventional book. The benefits of e-books are many:

• The e-books CHC offers contain the same text as the original book, and they are provided as PDF files. Books formatted as PDF files retain all the original formatting, no matter what type of computer you are using.
  
• PDF files are Mac and PC compatible.
  
• You can zoom pages to a comfortable reading size without the type looking fuzzy.
  
• You can print one page, or all the pages.
  
• You can view/read it on your computer or print it to bring to a copyshop for binding.
  
• You can search for words and phrases in the document, finding what you want much faster than with an index!
  
• You can print pages double-sided or two to a sheet (select this option in the pop-up menu after you click on "Print" in the file menu) to save paper.
  
• You can use thumbnails of the pages to find the section you want.
  
• You can bookmark pages you want to return to.
  

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Enrichment materials that are sold individually in the catalog are sold separate from the lesson plans; yes.

Enrichment materials that are included in the lesson plans are not sold separately, as they are part of a shrink-wrapped unit that is not taken apart for sale as individual pieces.

After several surveys and customer commentary, CHC has learned that most are looking for books that are complete in themselves for individual purchase where desired; lesson plans with enrichment and extra guidance included, for those who want a complete program; and as much curriculum for the cost as possible. So, CHC has tailored its offerings to fit those customer desires, offering a complete program that is less expensive than most on the market.

Despite the fact that we are blessed to count thousands of ‘members’ in the CHC ‘family,’ CHC is actually a very small family-operated business. With your input, we have created curricula, tested by thousands of families, that is Catholic, affordable, and flexible enough to fit almost every need. Because we are a small family business, we simply lack the resources at this time to divide complete programs into smaller units for individual sale. [For a rough comparison, think of going into a mom-and-pop grocery store hoping to buy a replacement lid to a can of coffee, or perhaps one coffee filter from a full box of coffee filters.]

Another reason that the lesson plans are not broken down into separate pieces for each subject is that printing and carrying so many small, individual units would drive up the customers’ cost. By including a wealth of enrichment and additional guidance all in a one-volume lesson plan, we are able to provide a good deal more to the customer, at a lower cost than they would expend if they had to purchase three or four workbooks, three or four guides and plans for those workbooks, and three or four answer keys. If one is looking for the ‘extras’ for more than one book, in the long run, it is actually less expensive to purchase the entire lesson plan, even if one plans to use only two or three of its sections.

In addition, although our Lesson Plans are lengthier and therefore more expensive than our workbooks, it is worth noting that CHC charges no tuition or 'leasing' of lesson plans.  Since lesson plans don’t need to be returned, you can keep what you have paid for.  Thus, they are still a bargain!

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First, all of CHC's K-4 Lesson Plans and Guides for Middle School and High School fit together to provide a solid, complete, family-friendly K-12 Catholic education. Adding enrichment materials is unnecessary, because enrichment activities are already included in CHC Plans. However, one of the many benefits of homeschooling is that families can add materials if their child has a special interest. Therefore, if the child has extra time and the addition of 'extras' will not cause an added burden and 'burnout' for either parent or child, CHC's programs do allow families the freedom to add materials as desired.

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I have bought [a used book], but found out that part of it is missing. Is there some way that I can buy missing pieces of your materials?

How frustrating! We do encounter this dilemma from time to time, as many of our materials include additional activities for practice and reinforcement of the skills taught in the body of the program. (For example, CHC Second Grade Lesson Plans include a thick appendix for the ever-popular First Holy Communion prep; Character Building Cards are an important segment of the First Grade Lesson Plans; Little Stories for Little Folks phonics, in addition to the readers, includes a Parents’ Guide, flash cards, and Silly Willy Sentences that teach reading as well as introduce simple grammar, and all of our workbooks include Answer Keys at the back.) Sadly, it isn’t unusual for ‘parts’ to turn up missing as materials are passed from one person to another. It is perfectly understandable that you would like to have the complete program that you paid for, so your student has thorough exposure to the subject!

Because CHC is a small, family-operated home business, we operate under a tight budget. This means that we must print relatively small quantities of our materials, as complete units. The only way that we could provide the missing parts would be to take apart a complete, new set, and then throw away the remainder. (Imagine someone going to Walden books and asking them to tear out a section of recipe cards from a brand new cook book that the customer had bought used elsewhere. That is more or less the position we are in.) We are truly, truly sorry that someone has taken advantage of you in selling their used materials. In all fairness, the seller should refund your money.

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By clearly prioritizing core, non-core, and optional enrichment activities, families can easily accommodate their busy schedules with CHC's academically excellent and affordable lesson plans. Each lesson plan is designed around key features: flexibility, ease of use for the busy mom, incorporation of the Faith with practical living, and enrichment activities.

Our 30-36 week plans are based on a four-day week, with Wednesdays left open in the primary grades. This weekly 'flex-day' can be used for extra-curricular activities, Mass attendance, or appointments.

The benefit to having flexibility in designing your own curriculum is that the student is naturally more motivated to learn those things that most interest him. A guided, self-designed curriculum allows the teacher to use the child's interest to motivate his learning, not only in those subjects that come easily to him, but also in those subjects which he tends to avoid! (Does she like shopping but 'hate' math? Assign her the 'game' of adding up all the purchases at the grocery store before you reach the check-out counter. Does he like baseball but 'hate' research and writing? Have him research his favorite ballplayer and write a short paper, or give a short oral report.) This flexibility can only come from a self-designed curriculum.

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Aren't you glad to be homeschooling? Imagine having a child in this predicament in public school. It's not hard to imagine, because the vast majority of children fits one of these two descriptions! One of the great benefits of homeschooling is that classes can be made to fit the student, instead of placing impossible demands on a struggling child or boring an 'overachieving' child to tears. CHC's lesson plans are flexible enough that a child can be placed in the grade which most closely suits his abilities, while changing only that subject in which he is behind/ahead. [E.g., a third-grade student who is ahead two grades in language arts might continue using third grade lesson plans in all areas except language arts. For language arts, he might be assigned CHC's Language of God, Level D, for fifth grade work.]

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Grading services often require homeschool teachers to save and mail student work to the organization. This record-keeping can be burdensome, and is not particularly necessary.

In addition, there is a danger in delegating the grading to someone outside the homeschool. When the homeschooling parent grades the child's daily work, he is immediately aware of both weak and strong spots in his child's performance. Based on that knowledge, practice can immediately be assigned to address weak areas, or eliminate unnecessary 'busy' work in those subjects that the child has already mastered. While waiting for a grading service to return the grades, the child continues to falter in weak areas, or suffer boredom from undue assignments in areas mastered. Turning the task of grading over to someone else robs the parent of the immediate feedback that genders the 'perfect fit' for your own program.

Further, because the homeschooling parent is already acutely aware of the student's performance, many homeschool families don't keep grades at all. However, for those who desire a permanent record of work, CHC suggests creating a portfolio of 'best work' for each school year, and the use of CHC report cards.

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Yes, CHC offers a four-year high school program that can be made to fit the student, not one in which the student is made to fit the program. A course of study designed to 'fit all' often fits none.

The High School of Your Dreams allows a wide course selection, broad choice of texts and materials reflecting the abilities and 'educational track' of the student from the college-bound to those seeking apprenticeships, and coursework that can be modified for students who struggle with academics but shine in practical skills.

High School of Your Dreams is flexible in its presentation, including the option of an experiential, rather than textbook, approach.

CHC encourages those planning to use High School of Your Dreams to begin early, perhaps in late winter or early spring of the student's eighth grade year. Early planning helps the student focus his goals, builds excitement for the coming high school years, and allows time for course and material selection.

Is the high school student ‘enrolled’ in CHC? What about accountability? Is there a way to view a sample course, and how challenging are the courses? Who is responsible for record keeping and transcripts for High School of Your Dreams?

As with all CHC lesson plans and guides, High School of Your Dreams requires no enrollment or enrollment fees. Students are accountable to themselves, to their parents, and to God; academically, professionally, and spiritually, the student must ultimately take responsibility for himself.

HSYD courses are as challenging as students and parents together wish to make them; HSYD suggests coursework, which is then selected by student and parents according to the interest and abilities of the student. [Hence, there is no one ‘sample history course,’ for example, because of the multiple combinations from which the student and parent choose the coursework.]

HSYD provides credit and transcript forms, which may be completed by the users.

For further information on High School of Your Dreams and its approach, please see ‘Learn More,’ ‘Related FAQ,’ on the High School of Your Dreams page.

We have been using another program for high school for the past two years, but would like to switch to High School of Your Dreams, as it seems a better fit for us. Can we do this without losing credit or having to start all over again?

Absolutely. Any credits earned thus far may be applied to HSYD for complete credit. It’s as simple as including all previously-earned credits in your student’s high school transcripts when he begins High School of Your Dreams.

Does High School of Your Dreams offer course work that provides suitable preparation for college and college testing?

Yes. High School of Your Dreams offers three basic 'study tracks': College Track: Flexible Textbook Approach; Community College/Vocational School: Independent Study Approach; Apprenticeship/School-to-Work: Experiential Approach.

Does High School of Your Dreams offer course work that provides for those who aren't on the 'college track'?

Yes. Recognizing that Our Lord has created each student to be an unique individual, and in response to requests from Catholic homeschoolers, High School of Your Dreams was developed as an approach to high school that can be tailored to fit virtually any learning style and goal. This approach 'works' not only for those whose career track demands a college degree, but also for those whose ambitions necessitate a training program not offered in college. Regardless of their ambitions, students in the High School of Your Dreams have the freedom to select materials most appropriate to their educational track, interests, and abilities.

What text does High School of Your Dreams recommend for each course?

Each course offers different approaches that are adapted to the abilities and interests of the student. Students may select from suggested texts that range from college-prep to vocational levels, audio books, research projects, hands-on activities and projects, research papers and essays, and volunteer positions, in any combination that interests the student and will still meet the requirements for course credit. If your student doesn't like having to fit a pre-packaged mold, this program will probably be a good fit.

Is all the class work laid out in High School of Your Dreams, so we can just look at the schedule and do the work, or am I going to have to do some planning myself?

Whether a family uses a pre-packaged curriculum or completely puts together their own program, it is rare that the day's or week's assignments are not adjusted in some form or another. In the case of a pre-packaged program, perhaps the assignment is too difficult for the student, or burdensome and unnecessary busy work, or totally outside the interests of the student. All of these reasons might result in the parent's trimming, eliminating, or adding to the assignment.

High School of Your Dreams is an 'academic buffet.' Students headed for college, community college or vocational school, or school-to-work apprenticeships may select from suggested texts, audio books, and other materials directed at those levels. Course-related research projects and assignments, hands-on activities geared to the specific course, and volunteer opportunities within the local community are just some of the avenues for academic study presented in High School of Your Dreams. Like a buffet, High School of Your Dreams allows parent and student to select a 'nutritious, balanced, inviting meal' suitable to the tastes [and 'food allergies'!] of the student. Is there some planning involved? Yes, because there is choice involved, choice that engages and invites the student to learn.

How does High School of Your Dreams compare with a pre-packaged curriculum?

Think of a pre-packaged curriculum as dinner at a friend's house, and High School of Your Dreams as a buffet. At the friend's house, you and your family are served liver and onions, parsnips, peanut butter on whole grain bread, and coleslaw. Your husband is delighted with the liver and onions, but dutifully wades through the parsnips. Your daughter gags at the sight of liver, while your son has an allergic reaction to the peanuts, and dinner comes to a close with a visit to the emergency room. The dinner was balanced and nutritious, but not suited to the individual tastes and needs of your family. On the other hand, a buffet also offers a balanced and nutritious dinner, but you have control of the selections, according to the individual tastes and special needs of each member of your family. In the first case, you are saved the work of making selections, but the lack of choice ends up creating more work and headaches in the long run. In the case of the 'High School of Your Dreams Buffet,' there is some initial planning and selection, but the end result is a more satisfactory academic 'fit.'

Why does the student need internet access to use High School of Your Dreams?

Internet access in some form is necessary to gain maximum use of High School of Your Dreams. In addition to suggested texts, audio books, and other resource materials, each course references an extensive listing of web-based resources that may be used by the student for research and supplemental purposes. In addition, young adults will be entering college and a work force that require familiarity with the internet.

Would you be able to put up some sample pages of High School of Your Dreams?

High School of Your Dreams contains lengthy, detailed instruction for tailoring courses to three vocational ‘tracks’: the college-bound student, the student on a community college/vocational school ‘track,’ and an apprenticeship/school-to-work ‘track.’ The quantity of information encompasses so many pages that it really isn’t possible to get an ‘overview’ of the volume’s educational approach with a few sample pages.

However, most courses in High School of Your Dreams suggest several texts, and also offer contact information, links, and/or suggestions for hands-on, experiential learning within your own community, as well as hands-on projects designed to appeal to students who prefer ‘living experiences’ to texts. For example, HSYD's Criminal Justice/Forensic Science course offers suggestions and/or contact information for Law Enforcement Explorer Posts by state, and cadet programs for the student to join within the community. Virtually every course contains detailed essay and research topics or assignments. Activities within each course encompass fields of interest both to the college-bound student, as well as to those students on different educational ‘tracks.’ In addition, instructions are given for tailoring each course to the interests, needs, and abilities of your student.

A glance at the Canadian Government course, for example, reveals that students may choose from three different texts, and are presented with a number of possible essay and research topics, including but not limited to:

‘Every citizen is expected to play his part in the formation of public opinion. If needs be, he must do this through representatives who reflect his own views.’ Pastoral Instruction on the Means of Social Communication [Communio et Progression] #28, Documents of Vatican II, Vol. 1. Read CCC #1902-1903. Each day for a month, follow Canadian legislation and current events. Take note of legislation that is in direct conflict with the moral teachings of Jesus Christ as expressed through His Church. On the same website [see reference], use the links to federal and provincial leaders to identify your own representatives. Write a charitable essay explaining your opposition to the legislation. Include in your essay reference to CCC #1902-1903.’

Links for Church teaching and internet sources for assigned documents are included, along with possible field trips to governmental bodies, as well as hands-on projects for students who prefer projects to essays.

Again, the volume contains such a quantity of details to the various approaches that it really isn’t possible to get an accurate and thorough ‘overview’ with a few sample pages.

Is High School of Your Dreams just a resource or similar to your other lesson guides? Does it just suggest curricula or are there included materials?

High School of Your Dreams presents three detailed approaches or ‘tracks’ to tailor your student’s high school education to his/her own interests, abilities, and goals.

The volume details an organized approach and contains forms for planning your student’s high school years, as well as transcript and credit forms.

In addition to suggested curricula, High School of Your Dreams is chock-full of hands-on projects, essay and research questions, links to free resources and research material, locations and suggestions for experiential learning, and much more.

What is the cost of the HSYD program?

The cost of the HSYD program is determined by the sum total of the materials you select and purchase. There is no other fee. Since you may select materials either from those suggested in the text, or from your own list of favorites, you have a great deal of control over the cost. One tip: by purchasing from used book dealers listed in HSYD, your total costs can be relatively low. In addition, once purchased, the books do not need to be returned to a provider, because they are yours!

I have been considering using High School of Your Dreams. My question is how do I know if my child is truly learning the material using the various methods you have described?

This is an excellent question, that is, how one might determine whether or not learning is really taking place when using non-traditional approaches to coursework.

First, High School of Your Dreams offers a wide variety of materials and approaches, from traditional texts with answer keys for those who desire that approach, to books, articles, internet research, videos, hands-on projects, and experiential learning e.g., volunteering in a veterinary office, for those who would prefer more engaging means of learning.

Traditional education relies heavily on testing, but testing is only one of many methods that may be used to determine if learning has taken place.

For example, if someone wanted to prove that they knew how to make a cake, they could certainly study the process and fill out answers in a workbook, or sit down for a written test. E.g., At what temperature should the cake be baked? For what length of time? List the ingredients and their amounts. How are the ingredients assembled? How is 'doneness' of the cake determined?

However, someone could also prove that they knew how to make a cake by baking a cake!

Which method of 'testing' actually proves mastery of cake-making skills? Which testing method would the student prefer and find motivating? That's one of the numerous gratifying aspects of homeschooling; there are many ways to demonstrate learning and earn a grade.

Other means of 'testing,' or proving knowledge of a subject, include:

• talking about what has been learned, from dinner table discussion to giving a speech or presentation, to family [Grandma and Grandpa] or to a group
• writing about what has been learned, from creative writing 'Heidi's Twin Kids' to reports of various lengths -- 'Gestation and Birth in Dairy Goats' to keeping a journal of events and what has been learned 'April 5: Today Heidi seems to be eating more as the kid/s grow inside her. She is in her 43rd day of gestation, which means that the kids weigh about____ and are ___inches long, according to my research taken from goatbabies.com.'
• projects, such as entering Heidi in the county fair and journaling about the experience, or creating a portfolio filled with detailed, labeled illustrations of Heidi's skeletal structure, heart, eye, etc.

This approach to learning seems almost foreign to us now, but in times past it was the primary means of training for most occupations. From cooks to silversmiths to surveyors, training progressed from hands-on apprenticeship to hands-on journeymen to hands-on professional work.

Overall, High School of Your Dreams is designed to 'fit' your child's interests and goals, providing many different 'avenues' to learning, without being burdensome beyond the abilities of the student or family.

Does High School of Your Dreams include lesson plans for all the catalog-listed books CHC offers for high school? I am confused as to whether to purchase HSYD alone, or skip it and purchase your other books for high school. I also went to the Clonlara website. Is the difference between the two a diploma, counseling, grading, etc?

Because High School of Your Dreams lists so many different options for each subject, including the option of using a favorite text that might not be listed in HSYD, it simply would not be possible to include pre-made lesson plans for each and every text included in the book.

Further, the intent of HSYD is to offer a wide variety of options so that each student using the program truly receives a unique education, tailored to fit his/her interests, needs, and abilities. Because of this, it would literally be impossible for the volume to include detailed lesson plans for each student ever to use the book.

Rather, HSYD includes detailed instructions for the student himself to assess his goals, select materials that capture his interest for the classes he has chosen, and then create his own lesson plans with the forms included, all with the guidance of the parent.

Clonlara charges annual tuition, offers a diploma issued by Clonlara in place of a diploma issued by your family, and some guidance as to what you may wish to study. They provide no lesson plans, texts, study guides, or teaching or grading services. While Clonlara leaves course, texts, and lesson plans up to the individual, students who sign on with their program are required to meet a list of requirements including mandatory volunteer hours, record-keeping, portfolio, and open-book exit exam, all submitted to Clonlara. Clonlara does not issue grades, but rather creates a transcript based on the grades that you assess and provide to them.

HSYD, on the other hand, includes no charge beyond the initial purchase of the book. Because a diploma alone, whether issued by private, public, or home school, is no longer an indicator of achievement, most universities now put greater stock in SAT scores and a solid record of high school courses and activities than they do in a diploma. HSYD allows you either to provide your own diploma, from the form included in the book, or to use Clonlara or NARS as an umbrella school with diploma, for those willing to meet their requirements. HSYD suggests volunteer hours, but does not require them, and provides credit and transcript forms, with instructions, to complete with the information that you would otherwise provide to Clonlara.

One certainly could purchase only CHC's catalog-listed books for high school, if those books are precisely the ones that you and your student wish to study for high school. However, if you would like a little more guidance than the books alone would provide, HSYD contains far more than a list of books, including a wealth of references, suggested 'plans of attack' for courses to truly engage the student, sources for free and low-priced used materials, study topics, essay topics, Church teaching, hands-on projects, and experiential learning. HSYD also offers a system for selecting and creating a high school program that is a good fit for your student, one that will help prepare him/her for college, vocational school, or a school-to-work program.

My child is clamoring to attend public/private high school. I don't know which way to turn. Can you give me some guidelines that will help in the decision-making?

Will the school design a curriculum around your student, or force your child into classes that are unnecessary and/or detrimental?

Will the school in question offer as much one-on-one as a homeschool format does?

If your child is seeking more 'socialization':

• will the school provide positive or negative socialization?
• is your child strong enough to resist the intense peer pressure and still retain a focus on Godly principles, or will he/she value socialization more than academics and his/her soul?
• is there another, non-school avenue for socialization, such as 4-H, community music, arts, or sports programs, parish youth activities, Catholic homeschool groups, or through volunteer work at hospitals, crisis pregnancy centers, as aide in primary parochial school classroom, etc.?
• is socialization the primary goal or is an academic education the goal? What is the key purpose for attending public/private school?

If there is a concern about the ability to teach higher-level subjects, is there a way that your child can receive these classes:

• as part of a homeschool group
• through private tutoring [contact high schools for tutors, or retired or substitute teachers]
• at a community college
• by taking that class ONLY at a local school

Might the child be enrolled ONLY in one challenging class - e.g., math, to allow him/her to demonstrate his/her ability to deal both with academics and socialization?

[Experiencing reality for one class may give the child a different picture of public/private school than he/she imagined.]

Should the parent, who sees a far broader picture than a child, make the final decision, or should it be left to a child who cannot yet rightly discern the impact of the decision?

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I'm wondering what to do for high school.

We can help you formulate a plan, using High School of Your Dreams.   First, please view the HSYD video, then carefully read the description of HSYD, as an introduction to this unique and effective high school program.  Then, to help you get started, please read and answer the 'profile' questions, below.

After you have answered the profile questions, submit their answers, along with your specific questions about implementing HSYD with your own children, to our staff at hsyd@chcweb.com.

Profile Questions:

1. How old is your student?
2. Boy or girl?
3. Interests and hobbies?
4. Hands-on learner or 'book learner'?
5. Auditory learner, or visual?
6. Reading ability strong, average, or weak?
7. Writing ability strong, average, or weak?
8. Favorite subjects?
9. Strong subjects?
10. Weak subjects?
11. Grounding in Christ and His Church strong, average, weak?
12. Career goals?
13. Vocational goals?
14. Does student plan to take SATS and/or ACTs and/or a few community college classes to establish eligibility for college in lieu of high school accreditation?  {Students do have the option of amassing credits  with HSYD, but also registering with an accredited 'umbrella' program, separate from CHC, for accredited transcripts.]
15. Have you watched the HSYD video?
    
16. Have you read the HSYD description?
    

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Certainly! If you have two students who are fairly close in age, you may also at times wish to place them in the same grade for subjects such as science and history. CHC allows you the flexibility to adjust your studies to fit the needs of your student and family, as long as those core subjects are still covered at some point in your students' education.

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What are the regulations for homeschooling in my state?

Homeschooling regulations, listed by state, can be found on the Home School Legal Defense Association website.  [HSLDA also provides legal defense for homeschooling families.  For more information about their services, see HSLDA website.]

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp

 

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This is our first year of homeschooling.  Would it be better to design our own curriculum, or use lesson plans?

One hallmark of CHC is its flexibility; with CHC, your choices are as varied and individual as the personalities gathered around your dining room table.   For some, this means pulling together their own unique curriculum from CHC materials; for others the flexibility begins with friendly lesson plans, completely prepared for you, but that can be happily trimmed at will.
 
In the early years of homeschooling, uncertainties may abound: am I covering all the bases? If I pull together my own curriculum, might I accidentally overlook an important educational concept?  Will my child really be ready for the next grade in particular or adulthood in general?  Am I asking too much of my child, or perhaps too little?  How in the world can I schedule everything that my child needs without either underwhelming or overwhelming him?  Does this sound familiar? Believe me, we have all—us, too!—asked ourselves these questions at one time or another.
 
For first-year homeschoolers, CHC’s lesson plans can lift the anxiety of planning.  By using a complete, prepared curriculum, you have the assurance that ‘all bases are covered,’ so that you can relax and enjoy sharing in the academic discoveries that are presented to your children.
 
Experienced homeschoolers know that just doing workbook pages and no more is a poor substitute for the richness that can be home education.  While all of CHC’s workbooks are complete if they are used according to instructions, those instructions [from the introductory pages] call for activities to be used in conjunction with workbook exercises.  It is not difficult for parents to incorporate those suggested activities into the subject on their own, but a small amount of thought and planning is required.  If the thought of developing and then scheduling those suggested activities ‘on my own’ seems too overwhelming, then it is best to use the lesson plans.  The lesson plans provide those engaging exercises and activities, planned and scheduled for you, to complete the subjects taught via workbook.
 
And that’s why we encourage lesson plan use for those who are new to homeschooling. It’s all there; you don’t have to worry.  Just open the lesson plans and dive into the day!
 
As families transition from ‘newbie’ to ‘experienced veteran,’ some then choose to design and schedule their own plans, using CHC materials.  On the other hand, some find that the lesson plans’ ease of use, completeness, and gentle flexibility are sound reasons to continue their use throughout their homeschooling years.  To LP or not to LP:  what works best for you?

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Many families enjoy using the lesson plans for Kindergarten over a two-year period. This allows greater flexibility to work at your child's pace. The exact schedule will be determined by your child's interest and ability level.

The Kindergarten Lesson Plans introduce an 'Around-the-Clock Learning Idea' each week. This hands-on method of exploration is so important at this age level! Many families focus on these activities, together with daily read-aloud time, for most of the preschool year. This gently instills a love for learning which is the best foundation for the upcoming years! Click here for more information about CHC's Kindergarten program.

Beginning kindergarten students should have a basic grasp of counting, be able to count up to five objects, have a good pencil grip and control of a pencil, be able to trace over lines and squares, and draw circles free-hand.

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