Sarah Mitchell
Homeschooling can be a daunting task for parents, but many resources and communities are available to help parents educate their children at home while adhering to Catholic values and curriculum. Seton Home Study School, Kolbe Academy, and Queen of Heaven Academy are examples of accredited institutions that provide parents with the tools and resources to educate their children with an academically excellent and authentically Catholic curriculum. Homeschool Connections is another resource that provides parents with live and recorded courses that bolster Catholic values and put children's needs and talents first. Many parents, such as Samantha Stephenson, a Catholic convert and author, have shared their experiences and resources for Catholic homeschooling online.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flexible online classes | Freedom and joy |
| Passionate instructors | Relationships with God |
| Supportive community | God-given vocations |
| Recorded courses | Academic success |
| Customizable curriculum | Catholic worldview |
| Accredited education | Classical curriculum |
| Homeschooling support | Catholic beliefs |
| Live courses | Catholic values |
| Engaging classes | Parent empowerment |
| Mastery of communication | Catholic formation |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a curriculum
- Accreditation: It is important to choose a curriculum that is accredited and recognized by relevant educational bodies. Seton Home Study School, for example, is nationally accredited through MSA-CESS, ensuring the academic excellence of their Catholic curriculum.
- Alignment with Catholic Values: Ensure that the curriculum aligns with your Catholic beliefs and values. Organizations like Kolbe Academy and Queen of Heaven Academy offer authentically Catholic curricula, combining faith with academic formation.
- Customization and Flexibility: Look for a curriculum that can be customized to suit your child's unique learning style and needs. Some organizations, like Kolbe Academy and Seton, offer assistance in tailoring their programs to fit your child's education.
- Support and Community: Opt for a curriculum that provides a strong support system and a community of like-minded parents and educators. Homeschool Connections, for instance, offers an online community for parents to connect and share their homeschooling journeys.
- Format and Resources: Consider whether you prefer a traditional table-work setup, online courses, or a blend of both. Some curricula, such as Seton, provide multimedia resources, daily lesson plans, and access to academic counselors.
- Subject Matter and Teaching Methods: Decide on the teaching methods and subjects that align with your values and your child's learning style. For instance, you might prefer a Charlotte Mason-style education, which emphasizes "living books" for history and religion, or you might lean towards a classical curriculum.
- Practical Considerations: Take into account the time commitment required by the curriculum and whether it fits within your schedule. Additionally, consider the costs involved and whether they are within your budget.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all curriculum. It is essential to research, seek advice from other Catholic homeschooling parents, and adapt the curriculum to meet the unique needs of your child and family.
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Reading resources
Curriculum and Books:
- Mother of Divine Grace (MODG): MODG offers a first-grade syllabus that can be modified to fit your needs. They also suggest religious texts like the St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism, which can be integrated into your child's prayer routine.
- Seton Home Study School: Seton is an accredited distance school that provides an academically excellent and authentically Catholic curriculum. They offer daily lesson plans, multimedia resources, and a strong support system for homeschooling families.
- Kolbe Academy: Kolbe Academy offers free curriculum resources and an authentically Catholic, classical home education with customization options to suit your child's unique learning style.
Reading Materials:
- The Chronicles of Narnia: Reading classic novels like The Chronicles of Narnia can be a great way to incorporate literature into your homeschool classroom, especially when paired with evening prayer routines.
- Picture Books: Incorporate a variety of picture books into your morning routine. You can switch out the content periodically to include Catholic-themed books or history books borrowed from the library.
- Shakespeare: Consider reading children's versions of Shakespeare plays, especially if there are opportunities to watch the plays performed live locally.
- History Books: The Story of the World Activity Book is a four-volume series that can be used for history lessons and includes fun activities.
These reading resources can provide a solid foundation for your Catholic homeschool classroom, allowing you to tailor your curriculum and reading choices to align with your values and your child's educational needs.
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Online classes
There are a variety of online classes available for Catholic homeschoolers, giving parents and students more flexibility than ever before. These classes can be live or recorded, and many providers offer grading services and tutoring.
Online Catholic Homeschool Classes
The Catholic Homeschool is a good place to start when looking for online classes. It offers a range of options, including:
- Angelicum Academy: A Catholic homeschool and liberal education program based on the liberal arts and the classical great books of Western civilization. It offers live online classes and online Socratic discussions.
- Kolbe Academy: An accredited institution with over 40 years of experience, offering a curriculum and an online program with live instructors who facilitate discussions, lectures, and grade coursework.
- Schola Rosa: An all-in-one Catholic, Classical, and Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum with digital resources, including lesson plans, activities, printables, videos, audiobooks, and e-books.
Other Online Class Providers
There are also other providers of online Catholic education, including:
- Queen of Heaven Academy: Offering a 4th–12th-grade online curriculum that follows Catholic intellectual, moral, and spiritual traditions. Courses are live and interactive, taught by highly qualified faculty.
- Oxrose Academy: An independent school working within the Catholic intellectual tradition, offering a completely online curriculum that is classical, liberal arts-based, and great books-based.
- Aquinas Learning: Provides a Catholic, classical, and scholastic curriculum that encourages students to behold, wonder, and contemplate the best in culture and beauty.
- Catholic Virtual: An accredited online learning program offering courses and programs directly or in partnership with Catholic schools worldwide.
- Homeschool Connections: Offering live and recorded courses that bolster Catholic values, with engaging classes and flexible scheduling.
With so many options available, parents can find the perfect online Catholic homeschool classes to fit their family's needs and schedule.
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Classical co-ops
For example, Hearts on Fire is a Catholic homeschool co-op for infants through high school. They use the Classically Catholic Memory (CCM) curriculum as a foundation for Grades 1-8, with preschool and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Level 1 for Pre-K/K. High school includes education on health and nutrition, Scripture study guided by the Church Fathers, and the development of practical life skills. The Children of Fatima co-op (CoF) is another example of a Catholic homeschool co-op that serves the parents and children of Mater Dei Catholic Parish in Irving. CoF is devoted to the Traditional Latin Mass and its members support the traditional values of the co-op. Their days are centred around their Applied Learning curriculum and their Traditional Latin Mass Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Catholic homeschool co-ops offer a variety of benefits, including group participation, accountability, friendship, character growth, and increased knowledge and skills. They are also affordable and fun, providing parents with support and a sense of community. Classical Conversations is another example of a Christian Group Homeschool Program that connects you with a local community of like-minded families. They provide parents with the tools and support to teach a Christ-centred worldview that is rooted in the classical model.
Overall, classical co-ops offer a great way to enhance your child's Catholic education and provide social and educational opportunities. With a variety of options available, parents can find a co-op that best suits their child's needs and learning style.
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Support systems
Homeschooling can be a challenging and isolating experience, so it is important to have a strong support system in place. Seton Home Study School, Kolbe Academy, and Homeschool Connections are examples of institutions that offer support systems for parents and students. These organizations provide accredited Catholic curricula and a sense of community for those who choose to homeschool. Seton, for instance, assists parents in customizing the curriculum to suit their child's unique needs and ensures that they are not alone in their journey by providing a community of staff and homeschoolers for support. Similarly, Kolbe Academy has expert teachers and advisors to guide parents and students throughout their homeschooling journey.
Online communities and forums are also a great way to connect with other parents and educators who are homeschooling their children. Homeschool Connections offers an online community where parents can interact virtually and share their experiences, challenges, and advice in a supportive environment. Catholic mom Samantha Stephenson, who homeschools her four children, has a blog where she shares her family's favorite Catholic homeschooling resources and curriculum choices. She emphasizes the importance of learning from other mothers' experiences and the benefit of trying out different approaches to find what works best for one's family.
Another aspect of support systems is the availability of academic counseling and resources. Seton Home Study School provides daily lesson plans, multimedia resources, and academic counselors who can be contacted for assistance. Kolbe Academy also offers free tools and curriculum resources to support families at every stage of their homeschooling journey.
Lastly, some organizations, such as Mother of Divine Grace (MODG), provide the option to enroll in their school and consult with experienced homeschool parents to receive guidance and a customized syllabus. This can be particularly helpful for parents who may feel overwhelmed by the curriculum choices and state requirements for homeschooling. These support systems ensure that parents have the necessary tools, guidance, and community to provide a well-rounded Catholic education for their children in a homeschool setting.
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Frequently asked questions
Some Catholic homeschooling resources for parents are Kolbe Academy, Seton Home Study School, Mother of Divine Grace (MODG), and Queen of Heaven Academy. Additionally, Samantha Stephenson, a Catholic author and homeschooling mother, shares her family's favourite Catholic homeschooling resources for preschool and early elementary grades on Catholicmom.com.
Homeschooling can feel daunting at first, but it is important to remember that the joy and freedom it brings outweigh the challenges. It is beneficial to connect with other homeschooling parents to seek advice and learn from their experiences. For instance, Samantha Stephenson shares her family's Catholic homeschool curriculum on her blog, which includes a mix of traditional table-work setups for certain subjects and a taste of everything for others.
Seton Home Study School and Kolbe Academy are accredited institutions that provide parents with an academically excellent and authentically Catholic curriculum. Similarly, Queen of Heaven Academy combines the Catholic faith with homeschooling and a classical curriculum. Homeschool Connections also offers LIVE and recorded courses that bolster Catholic values.
