HISTORY/CIVICS CLASSES
TEXAS HISTORY
7th-8th grades
The course covers the history, culture, and government of Texas from early inhabitants to modern times. Topics will include geography, exploration, olonization, revolution, the Republic of Texas, and statehood.
Weekly homework will include reading, study questions, and vocabulary. There will be an additional project or report each semester. If it is feasible with the circumstances encountered during the school year, there will be at least one optional field trip per semester. These field trips will be open to the whole family and will be close enough for a day trip.
Required Materials
● Texas & Texans student edition (ISBN 978-0078239670 - Check bookfinder.com for an inexpensive used copy)
● 1.5” 3-ring binder with 5 dividers, notebook paper, composition notebook, pen, highlighters
Tuition: $35 per month for 9 months ($140 per semester after registration deposit)
Supply fee: $20 (includes use of Catholic Texans: Our Family Album)
Class size: minimum 5, maximum 10
Tutor: Jennifer Zerangue
WORLD HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY
7th-9th grades
This course will cover world history, geography, and the origin of major cultures from prehistory through the 1800s. Students will get a broad view of history and geographical areas from the textbook then choose research topics to focus on areas that interest them. Every two-four weeks, each student will present a short (2-3 minute) report to the class on a topic of their choice from the unit. Visual aids and projects are encouraged including PowerPoint presentations. Students in ninth grade will have additional report requirements and higher expectations than middle school students. Parents may need to help their child find appropriate resource material online or at the library. Our goal is to help students gain a wide breadth of knowledge that will be useful in their high school studies and valuable experiences. We will label maps, read from the Bible, learn about saints, listen to music, analyze famous works of art, and much more.
We will spend approximately 2 weeks on each of the following areas and time periods:
Prehistory, Ancient Israel, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, the beginning of Christianity, Byzantium and the rise of Islam, China's Middle Kingdom, Japan, India, Africa, Russia, Latin America, and Europe in the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation
Report examples:
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Build a model ziggurat and explain its importance to ancient Sumerians
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Show a picture of The Rosetta Stone and share the details of its discovery and importance Explain the military education system of Sparta
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Give a mini-biographical report on Confucius, King David, Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great,
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Genghis Khan, Saint Augustine, or Saint Francis Xavier
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Research a Renaissance artist and tell about their life and famous works including pictures
The supply fee will include use of a textbook for the school year and workbook copies to be handed out as the year progresses
Textbook - Students will be loaned a copy of All Ye Lands: World Cultures and Geography 2011 edition which must be returned at the end of the year in good condition. You can view the first chapter of the textbook at this link.
Tuition: $35 per month for 9 months (If paying by semester: $175 Fall/$105 Spring after registration deposit)
Supply fee: $45 includes use of a textbook for the school year and workbook copies to be handed out as the year progresses
Class size: minimum 4, maximum 10
Textbook - Students will be loaned a copy of All Ye Lands: World Cultures and Geography 2011 edition which must be returned at the end of the year in good condition.
Required materials:
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Notebook paper and pencil or pen
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3 ring binder (can be used for multiple classes)
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Colored pencils
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Any supplies needed at home to create projects to share with the class (poster board, paint, or other craft/building supplies)
Tutors: Kim Ellerbrock
AMERICAN HISTORY
9th-12th grade; targeted to 9th grade
This course is unique in the C4 offerings because students will be watching American history videos on Homeschool Connections by Mr. Phillip Campbell each week in lieu of using a textbook as the spine of the course. The class will provide accountability, an opportunity for discussion, and a few extras. Students will learn from Mr. Campbell online, read short related pieces from original sources and occasionally an online textbook, take quizzes and tests, complete maps, and have the option to watch historical movies or read related historical books to complete two short reports per semester. We will most likely read one historical fiction or biography book as a class each semester. This will be chosen after students register for the course since many books are already covered in C4 English courses, and we do not want to conflict.
Class time each week will include time to answer any questions, discuss whatever the students found interesting, and learn interesting extras provided by the tutor. We will look at famous American art, read important speeches in history, play games, and more. The in-class portion will most likely not fill the entire class hour each week.
Students will be assigned one or two videos by Mr. Campbell to watch each week and a map to complete for homework. Students will complete a “notes sheet” while watching each video to prepare them for a quiz on Schoology. Parents will be emailed the answers and need to check their student’s “notes sheet” before they take the online quiz. Completed note pages can be scanned or photographed and emailed to the tutor or turned in on Tuesdays for a completion grade. Notes may be used on the weekly quizzes. There will be a few tests per semester, and notes should not be used when taking tests. Study guides will be provided.
Families will need to subscribe to a single course (single access) through Homeschool Connections (or unlimited access) and take the following courses throughout the year. Homeschool Connections recorded courses cost $12/month for single access, and you can change the class as needed. If there are enough people in the class, we may qualify for a discount lowering the price to $10 per month. https://homeschoolconnections.com/unlimited-access/
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Early American History (1492 to 1763): Discovery to the Dawn of Revolution with Phillip Campbell
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U.S. History: Revolution, Republic, and Union (1763-1865) with Phillip Campbell
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Modern U.S. History: 1865-2000 with Phillip Campbell
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Required materials:
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Subscription to Homeschool Connections recorded course
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Parental willingness to check work weekly when provided with the answer key
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Colored pencils for maps
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And probably one historical fiction or biography book per semester to be read
Tuition: $30 per month for 9 months ($120 per semester after registration deposit)
Supply fee: $10
Number of Students: minimum 6, maximum 10
Tutor: Wendy Woodward
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
10th-12th grades - FALL ONLY
WESTERN CIVILIZATION II
9th-12th grade; targeted to 11th grade
This class consists of a chronological overview of the Western world, beginning with the Protestant Reformation and ending with the current situation in the world. Students are also taught the philosophical ideas that have shaped our civilization along with examples of important art and literature. Outside reading from the textbook and primary sources will be required so that class time can consist of lectures. Students will write a paragraph or take a quiz each week. There will be 2 quizzes each semester.
While most schools don’t require a Western Civilization credit, this all-encompassing class is becoming increasingly popular in high schools and colleges. You can count this class as a U.S. history credit.
To prepare my lecture, I will be using the textbook and Tom Woods’ homeschool course.
NOTE: Western Civilization 1 and 2 do not have to be taken in order, although it is recommended to do so if your schedule allows.
Tuition: $40 per month for 9 months ($160 per semester after registration deposit)
Supply fee: $40
Class size: minimum 5, maximum 10
Required materials: Western Civilization Volume 2 by Jackson Spielvogel ISBN 0-495-09380-7. Families may contact Mrs. Woodward after registering to be connected with a previous student that wants to sell their book.
Tutor: Wendie Woodward
In this one-semester class, students will learn about the principles and structure of American government. We will begin with the ideas that influenced the formation of our government and will study the views of the founders who participated in the creation of the Constitution. Our discussions will cover the intended functions of the elements of government, what has changed over time and why, and how each citizen can make a difference. The final weeks of the semester will include an examination of contemporary topics including the Roe v. Wade decision and the impact that it has had on our society. Authentic Catholic social teaching will be incorporated into our discussions whenever possible.
In addition to the books listed below, we will use some reading materials that are available online at no cost. Students should expect to spend approximately 4 hours on homework each week. Extra credit assignments may include short current events reports with approval of parents.
We will cover some basics of preparing for the CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exam for American Government, which can be taken to earn college credit for the American Government course that is required by all Texas universities and most schools in other states. The CLEP exam is not required for this class but may be of interest to students and parents. Contact me if you would like further information.
Prerequisite: Completion of a high school course on US History or permission of tutor
Required materials:
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Online textbook available at Certell.org (free)
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REA CLEP American Government (ISBN 978-0738610382 - there is an older version that is also acceptable, but check with me before purchasing to make sure it is the correct version)
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1.5” 3-ring binder with 5 dividers, notebook paper, highlighters
Tuition: $40 per month for 4 months (If paying by semester: $200 Fall/$120 Spring after registration deposit)
Supply fee: $10
Number of Students: minimum 4, maximum 10
Tutor: Jennifer Zerangue
ECONOMICS
10th-12th grades - SPRING ONLY
This one semester course covers the basics of economics, such as what economics means to the student, the concept of a market economy, production, supply and demand, the interaction of the government and the economy, money, and saving for the future.
The textbook Economics: Work and Prosperity was written by Catholic philosopher Russell Kirk. Emphasis will be given to Catholic morals in relation to economics.
Tuition: $40 per month for 4 months (If paying by semester: $200 Fall/$120 Spring after registration deposit)
Supply fee: $10
Required materials: Economics: Work and Prosperity in Christian Perspective, 3rd ed. preferred (2nd ed. acceptable)
Class size: minimum 4, maximum 10
Tutor: Sondra Mullan