SUCCESS WITH CONNECT THE THOUGHTS™

This page contains some of the many successes our customers have had with the Connect The Thoughts™ program. If you would like to share your success with us, please click here .

Search Archive

Categories

All posts are placed in one or a few categories, and sometimes also in sub-categories. The number after each category shows how many posts it contains.

Archive - All Posts

 
 
 
60030

The Way the Course is Put Together...It Helped Me Understand

    

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.

 
  


60230

Success Story from a CTT Graduate

    

CTT Completions


The Connect the Thoughts curriculum has been a fun and interesting way to learn about history, geography, philosophy, art, politics, economics, religion, geology, oceanography, meteorology, biology, chemistry, physics and astronomy. Imagine learning about all of these subjects in high school! I personally learn better when I study on my own and I'm not under the pressure of a deadline. It actually makes it go quicker and I understand the material better.

It was quite a journey to begin studying history with the earliest civilizations and chronologically forge my path to the present. I loved learning about history this way, as each event clearly emerged from the previous set of circumstances. Seeing life unfold as it truly occurred helps me now to accurately predict future events based on the past and present.

I liked having all the documentary and educational movies as part of the program especially for history, which is my favorite subject. The combination of reading about historical events and watching them reenacted gave me a much better understanding than if I had just read about them. One such presentation was the musical "1776" about America at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Since I love musicals, it was a real enjoyable way to learn about this event.

I have been involved in the arts for most of my life. Watching so many of the world's greatest actors in these films portraying historical events expanded my awareness of the arts throughout history. Connect The Thoughts did a great job of choosing the best films available for both history and science. This feature alone places this curriculum heads and shoulders above any other.

My parents loved watching the films with me as well, which added a lot of pleasure to the learning experience. My mom loved "The Fog of War" so much she watched it three times. It is a fascinating documentary interviewing Robert S. McNamara, in part about the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. He made some very valid points about how wars can be avoided and the damages lessened.

The Biology and Human Health course was another one of my favorites. Not only are several of Carl Sagan's films on this course but there are another dozen fantastic films including "The Ultimate Guide: The Human Body", which is so good the Museum of Science and Industry showed this when the "Bodies" exhibit from China was on display here.

I feel very fortunate that I was able to get the correct information without all the unnecessary text most students have to wade through. His courses are very thorough, accurate and always invite the student's participation. In the end, I am the one to apply the knowledge I have learned and to decide how it will apply to my life and the world as I observe it.

I have now finished the program and earned my high school diploma. I have many goals I want to accomplish in my life and I am happy I have this knowledge with which to pursue them. This is the beginning of a whole, new adventure and I feel very well grounded as a result of this curriculum. Thank you, Steven, for caring enough to produce these materials and share them with me!

H.B., age 18

 
  


60130

It's Making Everything Easier to Understand and Do

    

I've been having a lot of fun with Connect The Thoughts . Not to mention learning way, WAY more than I ever learned! For example, I would've never learned about the Jains or Jainism if I hadn't studied Connect The Thought. Before doing this, I was barely learning anything about religion and history. The only thing I knew about Gandhi was that he did some good things. But now I know the whole story!

I studied the first civilization, Sumeria. I know a lot about the Hindu religion! I've learned about the Hebrews and their culture and religion. I've learned about Exodus, and the Ten Commandments. Buddhism was also covered in Connect The Thoughts. I studied India and China. The Chinese were very brutal in war.

I think one of the most interesting things I've studied was Egypt. I studied its religion, way of writing, Pharaohs, the stories of Hatshepsut and Akhenaton. Akhenaton was particularly interesting. Right now, I'm studying Confucius, and the Tao. Everything I've studied so far is fun to study, and I'm learning a lot.

I'm also doing the Baseball course, and am learning a lot about baseball. I'm even practicing what I'm learning! How to steal a base, take a lead off, ground rule doubles, the works! Last Sunday, the whole family went to a baseball game, to see how the pros do what I'm studying. It was a lot of fun! I also learned new techniques at swinging the bat, and overall, playing the game. There are many drills on the course in which you go out to a baseball field and do the things you learned about. I'm having fun with this course.

I'm enjoying the way I'm learning these things, too. It's making everything easier to understand and do . We define words about the subject first, then read up on it. Since the words are already defined, I don't have to go out to find out what they mean, because I already know! That makes it easier to understand the reading. I like the fact that my vocabulary is increasing, because of the words defined on this course.

The method of how I've been learning is fun, and it makes everything easier to do and to understand.

W.H.R.H., age 12

 
  


60110

It's Incredible How Much I've Learned

    

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

 
  


60120

It was a Real Answer to an Education

    

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

 
  


60040

It Gets You to See for Yourself Your Own Inspiration

    

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, Florida, on Creative Writing I

 
  


60245

I've Been Truly Amazed

    

Creative Writing


I have 2 children, a boy 14 and a girl 9. We used CTT Creative Writing 1 recently and they both enjoyed it. My 9 yo especially loved it and her writing has improved tremendously. She is actually writing for a change and with a smile on her face! She loves it. My 14 year old's writing has really grown through this course. I've been truly amazed.

Thank you for a great course!

This review [below] was written by my 9 year old daughter about the Creative Writing I course by Connect the Thoughts....

"My review of the CTT Creative Writing 1 course is ... I loved it. It is my favorite subject. I will say that I used to beg not to write but now I beg to do it! I think that the CTT Creative Writing I is a great Creative Writing Course. This course has made me start to write a book and the best part is no one can tell me I am wrong. Plus it has helped me with my spelling a lot because I don't want people to see what I've written and it all be spelled wrong."

I didn't mention this in my earlier review, because I forgot, but my daughter is right that her spelling has improved tremendously after taking this course and others by CTT. I can't explain it but it really has. She even shows an interest in spelling now and before she just didn't care. I think the fact that the "teacher" is not supposed to really critique their work gives the children freedom to express themselves. I do mention when a word is misspelled or that a comma might be needed and so on but I try to limit that because I want them to write and to enjoy writing. She definitely does NOW.

My 14 yo son wrote the following review of the Creative Writing I Course by CTT...

"I took the Creative Writing 1 course in Connect The Thoughts and I'll admit at first I thought it was just another stupid course my mom found on the internet, and through the first few lessons I did it in a sarcastic way with minimal effort. I did come to enjoy writing more and more as I went through the course. I am a 14 year old freshmen who loves to read and write, and the course was really too easy for me, but it was good for me to get to practice my writing on different scenarios that the course had.

"As I progressed through the course I began to write entire pages and more when only 50 words were required. I'm now on Creative Writing 3 and am enjoying my writing even more still. I would recommend the writing course to anyone who loves to read and write as much as I do."

S.W.

 
  


60060

I Thought I Knew a Lot About Geology Already

    

I thought I knew a lot about Geology already, but it turns out there was a lot more I still had to learn. What I love about the Geology study guide is that it really explains the material well. Nice and simple and right to the point. I also think that Steven Horwich did a good job putting the study guide together. With "Geology, A Self-Teaching Guide" and seeing "Amazing Earth" again along with this study guide, really makes Geology a fun subject to learn and simple to understand.

I have just started Oceanography and I love it already! So thank you, Steven, for the mind-pleasing information that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

H.B., 14 year-old home schooler

 
  


60190

I Really Like the Stuff We are Doing Now

    

I really like the stuff we are doing now because it is really really cool. We used to work more in French because I didn't read English good back then. Now that we have our own books for your stuff I like English a lot better. It makes it easy for me to learn my spelling and reading now. Thank you Mr. Steven.

I used to really hate history stuff before because it's always so boring. Mom makes us do it even though we don't like it. It's not so bad now because you make it fun. I even do some when Mommy doesn't tell me to. I read history now before bed so I can learn faster. Mom says she is proud of me for this, and I think Dad is too. Science is cool too but not as fun as Egypt in the old old times.

Mom says to tell you that my writing is getting better too, but I still have trouble in English some times.  And I get to start animation with Daddy as soon as he stops having to work so much. And we get to do biology soon too but I'm not sure what that's about yet.

Thank you again Mr. Steven.

From Angélik

 
  


60150

I Learned a Lot and It was Interesting and Easy

    

I had a lot of fun on the Connect The Thoughts courses. I learned a lot and it was interesting and easy, unlike XXX middle school. At XXX they would make us go at a certain pace in our studies so the whole class could keep up but it was dumb. Here I can go at my own pace and actually learn the material.

C.G., age 12

 
  


60020

I Felt I was Ready to Conquer the World

    

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

 
  


60090

Helps Make It Much Easier and Fun to Learn

    

I think the Connect The Thoughts course was my favorite. I already loved history but now learning it this way, chronologically for one. (And I know it seems logically that's how you would learn it anyway, but really in all my other schools I have been to, you don't. It helps so much). Second, simply understanding how it relates to your everyday life is so interesting, so important for you to be able to relate to it to gain more understanding of it. This helps make it much easier and fun to learn.

T.G., age 16