What are manners, today? We're not talking about "etiquette", the ability to select the correct fork or keep your elbows off the table while eating. Manners, as defined in this unique home school course, have to do with how we treat each other, how we communicate, how we accept responsibility and authority. Here is a course for students ages 9-adult, that does nothing less than define and encourage the sort of behavior which makes others trust us, and even care about our well-being. Covering everything from personal hygiene to the names we call each other to the idea that one should keep agreements made, and even helping the student determine in what ways he's contributed to by his parents and others, and how he contributes in return...this is a life-changing course! 45-60 hours of ideas and exercises, all structured to help the student decide what sort of behavior will best contribute to his own survival, and the survival of others.

My daughter has been studying the Connect the Thoughts curriculum for nearly 3 years. She is nearly done with the science courses and 2/3rds of the way through the history program. For me, this curriculum is a dream come true.

As a home schooling parent, it has become obvious to me that a good curriculum is the hub around which the successful home schooling program revolves. One can be a superb teacher and have an excellent relationship and great communication with a child, but with a weak curriculum, both parent and child soon become discouraged and frustrated. For the one and one-half years of home schooling we did prior to finding the Connect the Thoughts program, I was constantly searching for good books, materials and curricula. While there is a lot on the market, the majority of it, in my opinion, is poorly written, insufficiently researched or boring.

Connect the Thoughts is a home run. Not only has my daughter gained a basic college level understanding of the sciences including geology, oceanography, meteorology, biology, chemistry and physics and the entire time line of history, geography, government, religion, philosophy and art, but she can also think on her own, form her own conclusions and research any subject imaginable. She has become an independent student.

Additionally, the curriculum is so fascinating, our entire family is learning along with my daughter, including my 91 year-old mother-in-law, who lives with us and greatly enjoys the materials. She reads everything she can get her hands on. From Homer to Shakespeare and tidal waves to black holes, no stone is left unturned for Connect the Thoughts graduates who, I believe, will make a difference because they can understand problems and envision solutions. The Connect the Thoughts curriculum is making this world a better place.

My deepest appreciation to CTT for caring enough to research and author these amazing materials.

A.B., home schooling Mom

After doing the creative writing courses, I felt I was ready to conquer the world of writing and literature! It has always been a favorite subject of mine in school, but something always pulled me back. I would have the inspiration to write a story, but I couldn't quite ever put it into words. But after I did the creative writing course, I realized how simply and utterly uncomplicated it was to JUST WRITE, without all the considerations that it wouldn't turn out well, people would think it was stupid, etc. It actually turned out nearly flawless every time!

The science course (Upper School Science I) helped me in various surprising ways as well: I never quite understood what I could study in science, and what I did learn in science would never come in handy in my daily life. But when I did this course, I realized how often we use science everyday! And I got the BASIC concepts of science, without getting into excruciating details. Now I'm extremely interested in scientific things. You have made home schooling easy, interesting and fun!

S.G., 15 year-old student

My son, who is now 15 years old, has never had much of an intention to be a student or learn. I witnessed this many, many times throughout his life and education. One factor was, he disliked Math, and constantly fought being in a “classroom”.

By the time he was 12, he announced to me that he was “done with school and ready to work”. I knew that he didn’t have many of his basics in enough to go out and work. he struggled through 2 ½ more years of school with very little success.

One other situation was his complete inability to write or express himself. He’d take a simple test and it would take literally hours. The same thing would occur with writing a short, simple letter – hours later he’d say he was done. When this occurred at his previous school, the personnel would be stunned by his pace. He’d be given timed periods in which to complete the test – to no avail. We tried remedies, but nothing changed this. This was agonizing because I knew he was bright and capable, and could be “brilliant” if he had intention.

Then, he began Creative Writing Study Guide #1, as part of his home schooling. I decided to have him do that intensively and just continue until he was actually writing. After about five hours on the study guide, he “broke through”. Suddenly he was writing, and writing them with ease!

His father and I are amazed at the change. His esteem is out through the top. Now my son wants to be educated, and started working longer hours of study on his own. He is also doing Connect the Thoughts Pre-History, and has beaten every target given him.

I can’t believe the change and resurgence. He is now truly “on the road” to a better life and future.

M.Y.H., mother