"H. is about done with Greece (Upper School History III ).  One neat thing was (when she was studying) about geometry and the golden mean. She is studying geometry this year for math and was really able to understand how the Greeks approached this and what they contributed. Certainly made math more meaningful!

     "Your courses have had a great impact on us and we've learned so much from them. I am so appreciative for all you've done for us."

      —A.B. , parent

     "I learned a lot about music while studying Music Theory I .  I learned that music is an actual art.  It is not just a few sounds that sound good together, it is a perfected thing.  Each note or scale has a pattern and it is much more interesting and enjoyable than anything I have ever learned about on the subject of music.  I think the reason why I feel this way is because of the way the course is put together.  It helped me understand what music theory is, how reading music works, basic chords and theory."

      —L.S. , 14 year-old student

     " Connect The Thoughts has increased my children's interest in their studies and has become my one of their favorite subjects. It's rather amazing to hear a 12 year old discuss the Popul Vu as if knowledge of it were a matter of course. Or to hear my children discussing amongst themselves the philosophy of non-violent resistance after studying Gandhi, with great understanding of it.

     "I feel that they can now look at something like today's news and see how history is essentially repeating itself in many ways. This will serve them well in the future the ability to study and understand the varying viewpoints on this subject increases a child's awareness of and communication with their environment as the material is readily absorbed and easily applied to the world at large.

     "The entire purpose of an education should be application to the everyday world. I feel that this program really forwards this concept and makes the subject of history into a living study since it incorporates all the other elements - Art, Science and Religion - necessary to really understand History and to connect it to life by having the data on the timeline of events on the past but taught in such a way as to truly become part of a child's education."

      —M.G. , mother

     "I have learned so much from these courses!  It's incredible how much I've learned.  In my old school, I hated history.  I couldn't stand the subject at all.  But now that I've done Connect The Thoughts , I actually like history a lot!  Especially the history of Egypt.

     "I've had many wins from Creative Writing.  Before I did these courses, I wasn't interested, or very good, at writing.  Doing these courses, I became much better at writing.  I can write long or short stories, if I want.  I can write poetry, which I could never do before, even if my life depended on it!  I can write lyrics and screenplays.  I know all the names of every cameral shot, in a movie.  Now, whenever I watch a movie, or anything with a plot line, I can usually guess what's going to happen, because I'm beginning to think like a writer.  I love these courses."

      —K.H. , age 16

     "I have been going to private schools all my life.  About one year ago, before summer, I was four grades behind.  I knew I wasn't a moron.  I just needed something that I wasn't getting—a real education.  I was told I could catch up if I really tried.  I knew this to be true, but I had no intention to do so because I felt that I wasn't learning anything.  I had felt this was for about three years, yet I continued school because I 'had to'.  I wanted an education, sure, but I wasn't getting one.  So I stopped going to school the last couple of weeks, and I felt completely apathetic about education.  My future looked scarce, for any potential success.

     "During the summer I was hanging out with the wrong people. I felt these were the only people whom I could have any reality with.

     "For a long time my parents had been telling me that if I go to school and study hard, I'd have a chance for a successful future.  My parents couldn't have been more right but what they didn't get is that I wanted an education and I did try, but I was set up to fail.  My parents thought I wasn't trying.  It's true I wasn't, but that's because I wasn't learning anything!

     "Summer ended and the new school year started.  I knew I needed an education, but I figured I'd just do my G.E.D. and work for my dad.  I felt that this life time, I wasn't going to get a real education.

     "One day, my mom told me that there was a curriculum that was amazing, and that it was a real answer to an education.  She said I had to do it.  I thought Ok, this is the last time I'm going to make any attempt for an education.  If I don't like this curriculum, I give up.

     "My dad and I went to check it out, and I thought it looked relatively simple.  I didn't really care whether or not I did it.  I just wanted my parents off my back.

     "After a couple of weeks I thought it was OK.  But the more I did it, the more it made me want to study, and the more I felt I had a future, a good one.  One thing I realized is that the more esoteric you make a subject, the more you find students unwilling to study it.  And that's just the opposite of the Connect The Thoughts Curriculum.  It's easy, and you learn a lot.  So subjects don't have to be complex for people to understand them.

     "I was actually winning in school.  Wow!  The last time I remember doing that was the 1st grade!

     "I was now confident in myself and I felt I could do anything if I really wanted to.  When I would hang out with my old friends I could barely find any reality.  I think that knowing what I now know helped save my life.

     "I am now on the Pre-History Course, and I love it.  (Editor's Note- He's since completed that course with an 'A' average on his tests, and is now moving rapidly through Early Civilizations.)  I have never been so enthusiastic about learning!  I think if anybody wants a real education, they should do this curriculum."

      —R.Y. , age 15

     "The best thing about Creative Writing I is that after it's made you realize that you are, innately, an author, it gets you to see for yourself your own inspiration.  You see that you are capable of create.  And this course doesn't just teach you, like a school, it gets you to teach yourself.  My biggest cognitions came from my own writing.  My greatest cognition came from an exercise that has you write your views on creative and non-creative writing; I realized for the first time what creative writing was to me."

      —M.D. , age 17

     "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 1/2 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

    "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 Steven Horwich for caring enough to research and author these amazing materials."

     —A.B. , home schooling Mom