Using Recorded Courses for Summer Enrichment
No matter where your children go to school in the fall and spring, you are welcome to take classes with Homeschool Connections this summer. Whether you want your children to get a Catholic perspective on certain subjects, receive some remedial help in an area, or take an upper-level course not available at their school, we’re here to help.
Homeschool Connections offers two types of courses that cover a wide span of subjects. Today, let’s talk about our recorded, asynchronous courses that you can take at your own pace and on your own schedule. (If you prefer LIVE, interactive classes for summer, here is our registration page: Homeschool Connections Registration.)
There are many different ways you can use Homeschool Connections’ recorded classes through Unlimited Access to keep learning alive and fun over the summer. Here are ten ideas to get you started …
10. School On the Go!
The great thing about recorded courses is they can be done anytime and anywhere. We’ve had students take classes from hotel rooms, Grandma’s house, the library, the car on the road, a coffee shop, and even the beach (although you definitely want to keep your laptop away from the sand). All you need for recorded classes is a power source, internet access, and a computer. You should add earbuds or a headset to the list if you need privacy.
9. Watch Classes on Your Television
Laptops can be plugged in or cast to your TV to turn HSC classes into a “show.” This is a really fun way to learn together as a family. Pick a subject that everyone is interested in learning. It may be The Hobbit or World War II or History of Australia, or whatever strikes your fancy. Make some popcorn and watch together.
8. Make it Work on Your Schedule
When you’re signed up for Unlimited Access, recorded classes are available 24/7. You don’t have to stick to a rigid schedule. You could watch classes first thing in the morning, getting them done early so the rest of the day can be spent outdoors. If you prefer, watch classes during lunch or just before bed in the evening. Pick the time that is going to help you keep up with your work throughout the summer.
7. Audit a Course
Summer is a great time to audit courses that there is no time for during the academic year. When you audit, you simply watch the class lectures and forego the homework. For example, instead of taking 12 weeks for World History: 12 Inventions that Changed the World, watch the lectures over 12 days. When auditing, pick a subject that is easy for you and that interests you. Rekindle the joy of learning without the burden of homework.
6. Dig Into Tough Subjects
Summer is a good time to get extra help in difficult subjects. Need help with algebra? Struggled with science last year? If so, buckle down and get to work. Set aside time each and every day (Sundays off!) and stick to the schedule. Complete all of the homework before moving to the next recorded lecture. If you want extra help, sign up for the optional grading support (Instructor Access).
5. Freshen Up Before September
It’s always amazing how lazy summer days have a way of making you forget what you learned the previous year! Why not use the time to stay fresh in certain subjects before September? Planning on taking Latin II next year but not quite ready? Perhaps illness or something else kept you from finishing Latin I this year. Whether you simply need a refresher or need to make up for lost time, there are a number of “boot camps” available in recording (math, Latin, and more).
4. Ask yourself, “What do I love?”
For example, do you get geeked about books? If so, choose a literature course on a book you love. Reread Romeo and Juliet as you watch Professor Pearce’s lectures over a couple of weeks. Or Scarlet Letter, or Jane Eyre, or Dracula. You can choose from over 50 literature courses.
3. Hone Your Writing Skills
Sometimes students struggle not because they don’t understand course content but because they are not great writers and hence struggle to explain the content they have learned. Writing is a skill for success in all other school subjects. If a child struggles with writing, then focusing on writing skills over the summer will help them improve in history, literature, and more when fall arrives. Homeschool Connections writing courses range from basic, foundational courses to advanced, college-preparatory courses. Other courses that help you succeed in core subjects include: How to Be an Excellent Student and How to Use Microsoft Word.
2. Keep a Schedule and Keep it Simple
How many times have we all laid out grand plans, only to forget about them as the excitement wore off? The key to keeping a schedule is to manage expectations and ensure that whatever you come up with is manageable. You don’t need a complicated schedule to be effective. Pick just one or two subjects. For example, maybe you weren’t able to make time for philosophy in the fall and spring, but you know it would help you a lot to learn it, and it sounds interesting. Focus just on philosophy courses for summer. Write out a reasonable schedule on a whiteboard or print it and post it. Program your computer or phone to remind you each day. Do something tangible to keep you on schedule.
1. Take Courses That Build Your Faith
Homeschool Connections is a Catholic online curriculum provider. All of our courses are taught by faithful Catholics from a Catholic perspective. If you’d like to get the Catholic perspective on the Reformation or Shakespeare, HSC is the place to get it! Some of our courses have a strong faith-formation element, especially those of theology, philosophy, and apologetics. Some of our instructors are professional apologists, theologians, and philosophers, making HSC classes a phenomenal resource for faith-building!
Bonus: Unlimited Access means just that!
You have unlimited access to hundreds of courses covering all subjects for your entire family. Yes, it’s true! You can’t beat the price ($35 per month!!!), and you can’t beat the convenience. Middle school, high school, and adult students can easily learn year-round with this independent learning program. It can be as easy or as complicated as you want to make it. It’s YOUR program.
