Note: Our family is no longer using Sonlight, but I am keeping these posts available for those who are interested. For more information on why we have changed course, READ HERE.
Part 1 – Why We Bought Sonlight
I am not even going to presume myself to be a Sonlight
expert, but I’ve gotten some questions about it and thought it might prove to be an interesting topic. So right up front here in the title of this series, I’m going to tell you I’ve been using Sonlight a whopping 6 weeks. With that knowledge in the back of your mind, read on…
Sonlight has always been one of those curricula I dismissed as “not for me.” I don’t know if maybe the price tag scared me so much that in a sort of “sour-grapes” attitude I was trying to convince myself I really wasn’t missing much? Or perhaps I was just overwhelmed by yet another curriculum. No matter the reason, it wasn’t until my friend Carrie took the leap a year and a half ago that I even began to take note of Sonlight.
Carrie considered Sonlight a breath of fresh air…like she had finally come home. When I asked her husband how he felt about the price tag, he exclaimed the peace of mind it gave her was worth every penny! Now THAT got my attention!
Then my friend Sarah began using Sonlight. Her personality is very similar to mine when it comes to homeschooling. We’re both rather laid back…maybe too laid back at times. One of my biggest fears with using a curriculum like Sonlight was that it would force me into a schedule. However, here was Sarah telling me she never feels boxed in by Sonlight. She felt like she was accomplishing a lot without feeling like a schedule was looming over her head.
Okay…so far, so good.
Then, Kimberly at Raising Olives did a series on Homeschooling and included her experience with using Sonlight for 7…count them..7 years. I couldn’t even imagine for one second what it must be like to use a curriculum for SEVEN YEARS. Now, that must be SOME curriculum!
So, I began researching…and researching…and researching. (yep, I was slightly obsessive!)
I just happened to have a Sonlight catalog on hand because I’ve always loved to peruse their book lists. I read that catalog frontwards and backwards. I dog-eared, I sticky-noted, I scribbled all over the thing until it was in shreds. (obsessive? ya think?)
From there, the only thing left to do was to take the matter to prayer (and confer with my husband, of course!)
Sonlight just seemed like a good fit…my literature background, my children’s voracious reading habits, my need for flexible structure (how’s that for an oxymoron?) And so we took the money from savings and bought Core 3+4.
So, now you know WHY we bought the curriculum. Next post I’ll attempt to explain our reasoning for buying that particular Core.
Sonlight Series:
This is Part 1 – Why We Bought Sonlight
Part 2 – How We Chose a Core
Part 3 – Making the Curriculum Work For You
Part 4 – Every Curriculum Has Its Cons
I am blessed! says
This is our first year to use Sonlight and I LOVE it! We should have done core 3-4 this year because my kids are a litte young for core 6, but I wanted us to do core 3-4 next year when we can go to Washington DC. I also felt we should “finish up” world history this year since we also did it last year, but we didn’t get as much as I would have liked from it. We’ll do 3-4 next year and then core 7 the year after that.
Amy says
I love Sonlight! This is our 10th year and I continue to love it. And Core 4 is all of our favorite! The reading aloud is all of my kids favorite part of the day and the people in the books are like our friends. We talk about them as if they are people we all know. Can’t wait to hear more about your journey!
Luke says
I’m a huge fan of Sonlight myself [smile]. Of course, I’m more than a little biased [laughing]. I look forward to reading the next part!
~Luke
Anonymous says
We tried Sonlight when we fist started homeschooling. I loved so much about it…but since we were new to homeschooling and very unsupported by church, family, friends, I spent a fair bit of time looking to meet that need for encouragement on their forums. My spirit got rattled very quickly by some of the very anti-creationist sentiments on those forums. I was also very discouraged that there were lots of wives getting direction from this anti-creationist men on these forums and NOT their own husbands. I freaked, told my husband about it all, and pulled the plug. Spiritually something just DID NOT feel right about it, like a spiritual alarm going off inside me. We spent 2 years not really doing anything really structured. We ended up now using of Tapestry of Grace, and I am at peace now with everything (although I no longer haunt the forums anymore.) Tapestry of Grace just seems to bring much more theological grounding that we desired, and yet also provides that multi-level, orderly, re-usable aspect that we so desired for teaching 6 kids. I am not trying to discourage anyone, so please don’t take offense, and I know that we are all different as homeschoolers in our ideas and philosophies, but just tread carefully is all I would caution. If one was looking for something classical, and perhaps “meatier in their substance” I would reccommend Tapestry since we have had experience with both. (Sorry to rain on the parade ladies, I honestly mean well…)
D. (sorry I don’t have a blog, I am afraid it would become in idol in my life, but I still enjoy reading a few good blogs like Amy’s)
Sherri says
Can’t wait to read more of what you have to say on your Sonlight experience! Our “curriculum” is definitely a poor man’s piecemeal… but I think as DD gets older, I may have to find more “flexible structure” as you perfectly coined it! LOL
Stephanie says
We’ve dabbled a bit with curriculum over the years and while we used Sonlight for K, we took a break from it, only to return again this year, purchasing Core 1+2. The literature and worldview just can’t be beat – and like the catalog says, I wish I had learned that way!! I hope you and your family just continue to enjoy it more and more for years to come!
Jennifer says
I just recently started following your blog and it has been a blessing to me. This new series is especially interesting to me as I just purchased Core 3+4 last night! It hasn’t even shipped yet! So you can imagine my surprise when I read your post this morning.
I too have spent several years “ignoring” Sonlight, only to find myself ordering it now, smack in the middle of the school year, when my small-ish misgivings with the curriculum we have used for years became too big to dismiss anymore.
So anyway, from one Sonlight newbie to another, hi! 🙂
Shannon at Living Life at Home says
Like you I always dismissed Sonlight as a great program, but not for us. But a few years ago I needed an American History program and loved the literature approach of Sonlight’s program, so we tried it.
This year we’re on our second time through with Core 3+4 (American History), this time with my 10 yo son, and he LOVES it. The books resonate with him and create sense of place, time, and people that makes it all come alive.
As a WAHM, I don’t do the full Sonlight schedule, but have adapted it to what makes sense for our lifestyle.
Looking forward to hearing how your first six weeks have gone.
…Shannon
Erin says
Amy, I am so glad you’re doing some posts about your decision and experience regarding Sonlight. You sound just like me in regards to making the choice – I considered it once, and then decided “no way!” and then, this year, found myself reconsidering when I realized what we’re currently using just isn’t working. I obsessed, researched, prayed, and discussed with sweet husband, and after him giving it some thought, got an affirmative for next year! (That gives me some time to save up, lol!) We’ll be starting with Core 3 in the fall.
I’m really looking forward to hearing how your first few weeks have gone!!
Autumn says
I have been enjoying your blog since finding it during the writing contest to inspire. You do indeed inspire. I am so excited that you are doing this series. We are prayerfully considering homeschooling as an option for our family and we are looking at the Sonlight newcomer K as our choice for curriculum. So excited to read more about your experience with Sonlight.
Nicole R says
Yay! I am so excited that you are writing about Sonlight! Amy, it’s like you’re reading my mind with your blog. I found it by accident and it seems like every post seems to be EXACTLY what I need to read!! We are starting homeschooling this September and we are looking at Sonlight as well…can’t wait to learn more from your adventures….
Anonymous says
I, too, have looked at Sonlight for 3 years when considering what curriculum to use for my homeschool…I am thrilled you are doing this post as well! I have to say that I am more drawn to this curriculum than any other but we have never chosen this curriculum to try…mainly because of the pricetag associated with it! I can’t wait to read more! I love the literture aspect; however, I am a “tester” so I am not sure how much I would love it! I am guessing that you aren’t a “tester” then…right? ~DIANA in TENNESSEE
MolleenCarie says
This is interesting! I’m looking forward to the rest of it.
gracie says
thank you for covering this, i too have been looking at Sonlight, the attitude towards homeschooling is changing in my state and we seem to be heading towards more regulation, and sadly now that i am divorced i have less time to coordinate topics for 3 children as i have the jobs of both parents in and around the house, my children do chores but they are still only children
Anonymous says
By “tester” I mean I like the tangible evidence that they are getting it…for example, 10 lessons and then a test…there is so much reading (which is great!) but are they hearing what is read and retaining it?! Easiest way to judge that is by “testing” I would think…does that clarify or was that as clear as mud too? So what are ways that you can show all your “work” with Sonlight if majority is reading? Thanks for attempting to answer my question comment though! ~DIANA
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
D-Your opinion is greatly appreciated. We have used TOG as well, but I found myself overwhelmed by it. Probably using the things I’ve learned (that I’ll share in Part 3) would have made TOG more usuable for me, but after 1.5 yrs of using the curriculum, I felt bogged down. That said, it IS a solid curriculum and definitely something others should look in to!
Diana – sorry for being dense here, but I’m not sure I know what you mean by “tester”. Enlighten me!
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
Aha! I have been in the world of cloth diapering too long and the word “tester” now mean someone who “tests” something (like a cloth diaper) and then answers questions about the product they tested! lol
Anyway, you are right…I’m not a “tester”. For many children tests don’t do justice to what they actually know. I would much rather “discuss” (which is something Sonlight encourages) and see how much they know that way. Sonlight does offer books that have tests in them…we just choose to use those tests as oral review instead.
That said, I am not anti-test, but at a young age, I don’t encourage it. My 11 yr old does take tests in grammar & math (neither are Sonlight based), but that has been a fairly recent thing.
Cathy says
Just found this blog while obsessing aobut…er…I mean *researching* sonlight online. 😉
My catalog is also marked all over and dog eared. We will see if I actually order anything from it.
Anyway, just wanted to say that I am also loving your sonlight articles. Keep ’em coming! 🙂
Your fan,
Cathy @ The Attached Mama
Kathi says
OK.Tough question that I’m also going to swoop over and ask Kimberly…
I have (will have next year) 4 school aged children. DDs 8th and 5th and DSs 2nd and K.
Girls were PS until 2 years ago (so in other words no chronological history, textbooks to the max, spelling before writing…the whole 9).
We’ve used MFW’s CtG, and are in the middle (almost…rough year) of RtR. So up next would be Exploration to 1850 (1400 – Early American).
We must be poor (although is doesn’t really seem so), because we could not afford 2 Sonlight programs like some families.
What would you purchase?
MFW is almost OUT. Like another commenter, I’m exhausted of having to go to the library, only to find, they don’t have the book the MFW TM suggests.
P.S. Do you use Sonlight for everything…Language Arts, History, Science, Math?
Sorry this is so long. We usually purchase for the next year in February, and I’ve almost decided (well I did, until I read your posts) that I’d just make my own, but honestly, where am I going to find the time for that???
Have a blessed day!
– Kathi
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
Kathi,
Hi! Here are my thoughts for what they are worth.
First off, you are not poor. Sonlight is an expense. Even those of considerable means would find buying two cores a bit strapping. They are an investment. There is just no other way to look at it. However, right now I couldn’t purchase two Cores…investment or not. It is what it is…and that’s okay.
As for what to do. Don’t buy for your youngers. Buy a Core for your olders, catering mainly to your 5th grader. From what I hear Core 5 is wonderful and I am really looking forward to it. It is challenging too from what I hear. I’ll be using it with my 7th grader and my 4th grader next year.
For your youngers, I’d just keep on keepin’ on until either financial circumstances change or they get to a place where they can use Core 5. (or whatever Core you choose) That’s where the investment comes in handy. You already have that core and won’t have that expense that year.
I do not use Sonlight for everything. I do think I may turn to their lang. arts at some point, but not yet. I love my Apologia Science and have purchased it used so no need for their science curriculum. I’m also hoping to take the next year and a half and try to amass the books I’ll need for Core 6 & 7 so all I’ll need to purchase is the Instructor’s Guide. But we shall see if I actually get around to that!
Let me know if you have any more questions or if I wasn’t clear.
Blessings,
Amy
Crystal says
Just wanted to say thanks for this series, forums, and website. I’m going to be homeschool K-5 next year and feeling very overwhelmed with choosing curriculum! I always thought I would use veritas press (no one has commented on this provider, but before we moved it seemed everyone I knew was using this.) I love classical and charlotte mason philosophies. I already have the VP phonics materials. Then I started looking at Sonlight. It looks so fun, with great books, and a missions/other cultures emphesis that I love. Then I came across Apologia- and think it would be great to do some Zoology next year, Then I looked at MFW and it goes along with my educational philosophy, has such a great price, and the lesson plans look so integrated and seem like they would take the least planning. Then I just found someone who is willing to give me most all of their K5 Abeka stuff! I want to do everything! But know I need to be realistic. However do you decide!
Amy says
I do Sonlight for History and that’s about it. We use a mix of VP and Apologia as well, so you and I sound a lot alike! For me, Sonlight was about the books and the history from living books. I love it, but I do not use it exclusively. You really can integrate a lot of other things and just call yourself eclectic! 😉
Amy Clark says
Hi, I know this comment is almost a year following the last commentor, but I thought it was worth a try. 🙂 I bought the Sonlight Core 1 last year (after reading your posts!) Am I butting in too much to ask why you opted away from the curriculem? Very curious, and going to a convention in May (my first one). I’ve kind of relied on your judgment a little (even though I don’t even know you! I just figure you’ve had a lot of experience, and appear, from my reading, to have gotten wisdom from the Lord). Anyway, do you have a reason that you can share as to why you picked a different curriculem? I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!
Amy (homeschooling mom to 3 ages 9, 7, and 5)
Francesco says
Thank you for the info. we just purchased Core A and plan on using Sonlight for at least grade and middle school.