Our Favorite Curriculums: Sonlight
I settled on choosing our curriculum for reading and math fairly quickly (See the posts on our other favorites, AALP and MUS). The rest of our subjects took some trial and error on my part and time to figure out what worked best for us and fit into my vision for our homeschool.
I began trying to write my curriculum, using a concept similar to Sonlight of teaching history through literature and not a dry textbook. I kept referencing Sonlights books lists and would also pour other online lists. So approximately three years into our homeschooling journey, I bit the bullet. I purchased a Core B (Introduction to World History) from a Facebook group and pieced together the missing parts. It took us a year and a half to use that first core, then I switched to year-round homeschooling, and Sonlight fell right into place with our homeschooling journey.
Once we settled with Sonlight, here are the top five reasons we will continue to use Sonlight.
One: Layed Out Schedule
Let's face it while I love lesson planning, taking on planning all that encompasses homeschooling was and is overwhelming to me. I was constantly planning and prepping and sometimes did not know what we were going to do from one day to the next. The fact that I no longer have to do that is a massive burden lifted from my shoulders. Now instead of planning our day to do day, I get to plan supplements (things that add to our school experience, not because the curriculum itself is lacking). I do not have to wonder day to day what to do. I can usually open up my instruccors guide and start our homeschooling day.
Two: Great Literature
I am a self-proclaimed book nerd, and historical fiction has always been a favorite. Knowing I wanted to create a love of literature and history with my girls, Sonlight fit into this well. Some of the titles Sonlight chooses are not ones I have, in some cases, heard of, but they fit in well and help us to look at history differently than I have in the past.
Three: Christian Foundation
Sonlight ties in many Christian morals and values within the literature they choose. The addition of the missionary stories and bible reading have also helped expand our life outlook; in fact these are often some of our favorite stories from each of the cores we have used. Part of homeschooling our girls is seeing a whole world perspective. Sonlight allows me to share the Bible as a part of history, as we genuinely believe it is.
Four: Discussion and In Depth Foundation
I like how Sonlight helps prepare parents for what each book will cover and sometimes why things are left out or included to explain why it is significant in history. The discussion questions help guide your child into what they should hopefully obtain from the text read to them. These questions also help open a pathway for discussions beyond the questions asked.
Five: Great Community
Sonlight creates a great community for parents and homeschoolers. They continually post convention-like discussions and forums (now through their app) and offer great insight and tips to help navigate the homeschooling journey. In addition to Sonlight's sponsored help, there is a fantastic community of support on Facebook through several private Facebook groups. Here I have found a unique way to supplement and enhance our experience using Sonlight.
See how we made Sonlight work in this previous BLOG POST.
As always, keep following our journey on our Facebook Page or Instagram. If you want more in-depth conversations, check out our Facebook Parent Group.