Fall Courses
Apologetics -Ms. Felicita Rich
This course will be using “Beginning Apologetics,” by Burnham and Chacon.
From the website description:
The Beginning Apologetics Super Set is a collection of the best-selling Beginning Apologetics books put together by Catholic Apologist Jim Burnham and Father Frank Chacon.
These concise, easy-to-read books explain various elements of the Catholic Faith in a way that is easy to follow and easy to apply in real life situations.
This collection includes the following volumes:
Volume 1; How To Explain And Defend The Catholic Faith
Volume 2: How To Answers Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons
Volume 2.5: Yes! You Should Believe in the Trinity: How to Answer Jehovah's Witnesses
Volume 3: How to Explain and Defend the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist
Volume 4: How to Answer Atheists and New Agers
Volume 5: How to Answer the Tough Moral Questions
Volume 6: How to Explain & Defend Marian Doctrines
Volume 7: How to Read the Bible
Volume 8: How to Explain and Defend the End Times: What Catholics believe about the Second Coming, the Rapture, Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, and Indulgences
Volume 9: How To Answer Muslims
ABOUT MS. RICH
Felicita Rich is the Parish Secretary at St. Joseph, Morganza and the Evangelization & Communication Coordinator at St. Michael, Baden. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with a double minor in Politics & International Affairs and Italian at Wake Forest University.
Introduction to Philosophy- Fr. martino choi
This textbook for this course is TBD.
This introductory philosophy course invites teens to explore life’s biggest questions through the lens of faith and reason. Students will examine classical and modern philosophical traditions, learning to critically evaluate ideas about truth, morality, and human existence while deepening their understanding of Catholic theology.
ABOUT FR. CHOI
Father Martino Choi is the administrator of St. Michael and St. Dominic. His undergraduate degree was in Government and Politics at the University of Maryland. He studied philosophy and theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and is currently working on a degree in Liturgical Studies at the Catholic University of America.
Latin- Teacher TBD
This course will be using “Fundamentals of Latin Grammar I” by Margaret Hayden.
Fundamentals I provides a rigorous foundation in Latin by prioritizing a deep understanding of linguistic rules and principles over rote memorization. Building on introductory concepts, the course transitions from general parts of speech and sentence structure to the complexities of an inflected language, including verb systems, moods, and noun cases. Through a step-by-step translation method that emphasizes analytical drills and complex sentence work, students develop the mental agility to handle advanced grammar independently, with optional scaffolded exercises available for extra support. By the end of the year, students will have mastered multiple noun cases, gender and declension rules, various verb conjugations, and basic syntax, equipping them with a comprehensive command of Latin’s core mechanics.
ABOUT TEACHER
Bio here
Chemistry- Dr. John foley
This course requires students to take an online class through Homeschool Connections, so that they can focus on completing labs and getting hands-on help and experience during class time.
The textbook is “Exploring Creation with Chemistry” by Dr. Jay L Wile.
From Homeschool Connections: “This course is designed to help students understand basic chemical principles in both a philosophical and a scientific manner. Students will learn the beauty of the created, studying the smallest components of matter. This course is especially focused on students who are not planning on a STEM field but still desire a foundational knowledge of chemistry.”
ABOUT DR. FOLEY
John Foley has taught Histology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry to undergraduates and medical students for 28 years at Indiana University. He uses a flipped classroom approach where student are expected to read the text book independently while class time is used for labs and working problems.
US History- Fr. Martino choi
Textbook TBD.
This course explores the story of the United States from its founding through the modern era. Students will examine the key people, events, and documents that shaped the nation, with a focus on how Catholic Social Teaching and Christian values influenced American history. By studying the challenges and triumphs of the past, students will develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of their roles as both citizens and people of faith.
ABOUT FR. CHOI
Father Martino Choi is the administrator of St. Michael and St. Dominic. His undergraduate degree was in Government and Politics at the University of Maryland. He studied philosophy and theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and is currently working on a degree in Liturgical Studies at the Catholic University of America.
poetry- TEACHER TBD
This course will be using “The Treasure Trove of Poetry and the Art of Understanding It” by Catholic Heritage Curricula
8th and 9th grade students may choose to take this course in lieu of Literature.
From the CHC website:
Lead your student to understand and love poetry with this in-depth, Catholic program! This fifth level of The Treasure Trove of Literature series guides the student through three forms of poetry: lyric, epic, and dramatic. Students will not only read timeless poems from various eras but will also master the art of appreciating and analyzing poetry. They will learn how poets use techniques such as rhyme, meter, metaphor, and irony as a “secret code” to communicate their meaning more powerfully.
ABOUT TEACHER
Bio here
Chorus- Mrs. Rosa Patterson
This course introduces students to the joy of singing while building a strong foundation in music. You’ll learn the basics of vocal technique, how to read music, and how to sing as a team in a choir while performing and praying through sacred music.
ABOUT MRS. PATTERSON
Rosa Patterson is a mom of 5 (earthside) children. She earned a dual degree in Studio Art and Education at the University of Maryland and spent 4 years teaching in a professional setting before beginning her homeschool journey in 2016. She founded the St. Michael’s Homeschool Co-op in 2020, and St. Michael’s Tutorial in 2025.
Literature- Dr. Siobhan benitez
Course Title: Literature & Analysis: Myths, Legends, and Epics (AP Prep)
Credits: 0.5
Weight: Parents & students may choose to enroll as “Honors” (assignments graded by teacher) or “Tier 1 / General Education” (assignments optional / ungraded)
Description: This course critically engages myths, legends, and epics from around the world. Students will learn about the historical formation of myths, explore and evaluate how stories are told and retold to communicate particular ideas and ideals, and analyze literary elements throughout the texts. Particular texts TBD, but the instructor is currently considering focusing on The Enuma Elish, The Odyssey, and Beowulf.
The course utilizes the College Board’s AP Literature “Big Ideas” to prepare students for future AP tests and college-level literary analysis.
ABOUT DR. BENITEZ
Siobhan Benitez holds a PhD in Catholic theology from the Pontifical Faculty at The Catholic University of America. She has taught everything from Kindergarten catechesis to doctoral level Seminary and won awards for her teaching in college freshman writing and analysis courses. Currently, her most important teaching adventure is homeschooling her four children. Dr. Benitez is very excited to share her love of literature and writing with the young people of St. Michael’s Homeschool Tutorial.
Writing- dr. Siobhan benitez
Course Title: Academic & Creative Writing with Myths, Legends, and Epics
Credits: 0.5
Weight: Parents & students may choose to enroll as “Honors” (assignments graded by teacher) or “Tier 1 / General Education” (assignments optional / ungraded)
Course Description: Following the Literature course, students will engage in academic writing including short literary analyses, reports, summaries, and research papers using MLA Style.* Instruction will include training in academic writing and formatting using both Google Docs and Microsoft Word (how to insert quotations, page numbers, footnotes, etc).
Students will engage in creative writing like poetry, short stories, and creative nonfiction. Creative writing helps deepen student understanding and command of a variety of literary elements and styles.
Additionally, students will gain practical writing experience by creating resumes, brag sheets, and professional emails.
*MLA Style is the academic style most commonly used at the college level. https://style.mla.org/
ABOUT DR. BENITEZ
Siobhan Benitez holds a PhD in Catholic theology from the Pontifical Faculty at The Catholic University of America. She has taught everything from Kindergarten catechesis to doctoral level Seminary and won awards for her teaching in college freshman writing and analysis courses. Currently, her most important teaching adventure is homeschooling her four children. Dr. Benitez is very excited to share her love of literature and writing with the young people of St. Michael’s Homeschool Tutorial.
