Note: Our family is no longer using Sonlight, but I am keeping these posts available for those who are interested.
Back in January, I posted about our first 6 weeks using Sonlight
:
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 thought I would take a moment to reflect on what an entire school year ended up looking like since a lot took place following those initial six weeks.
First off, I found out I was pregnant. Those of you who know me best, know that early pregnancy for me spells morning sickness with a capital M. Homeschooling during this time takes on a minimalist form. So, perhaps you are wondering how Sonlight stood up to this test…
A+
I was able to easily strip down the Instructor Guide to just what I felt I could accomplish. Thankfully, the IG is already in a bare bones format, so it didn’t take much work to weed out a couple of things I just could not handle and make it work for me. When I say bare bones, what I mean is that Sonlight is not about “busy-work.” Your brain doesn’t end up cluttered with a million projects you “could” do or tons of information you have to sift through. The schedule is VERY easy to follow and VERY easy to subtract from as needed.
Secondly, we homeschool year round with periodic (and rather impromptu breaks). Sometimes this can spell disaster for homeschooling materials that are based on seasons or have ongoing projects that take weeks, or even months to complete. Could Sonlight hold its own in a very spur-of-the-moment family?
A+ again!
One of my favorite things about Sonlight is that as we run out the door for a long weekend or mid-week visit to grandparents, we can grab the next couple of assigned Sonlight books and my children have instant reading material for the van ride!
Lastly, I needed a curriculum that could speed up or slow down easily. Because so much interrupts our lives, it is easy to feel behind all the time. I had experienced this with other curricula and felt overwhelmed by the guilt that ensued. I wondered if Sonlight would be the same. Could it offer the flexibility I would need to be able to slow down and then speed up at will?
A+ yet again!
Because I could pare down the coursework to my liking and because there were no deadlines I *had* to meet, Sonlight made it simple for me to take 2 weeks with one week, only to combine a couple of weeks on down the road. This was especially true if my children happened to finish their books “early” (not uncommon in our book-loving household!)
I know the price tag seems steep. I know how long I stressed over those digits listed in the catalog. I know what finally pushed me over the edge was the fact I could send it back due to the Love To Learn Guarantee (otherwise known as the “18 week Test Drive“). But, in the end, I was hooked.
In fact, I was recently asked why I chose Sonlight over another curriculum. My quick answer is this:
Everything is in the box. I don’t have to search the libraries and scour the internet for extra books that don’t come with the curriculum. I have 5, soon to be 6 children, I need to focus on. Because of this, I streamline EVERYTHING. Sonlight is one more way for me to easily streamline our homeschool.
So, I’m proud to say:
This post is linked to:
Sandpiper says
I just made my Sonlight order for the Fall today. Yes, the price tag is steep, but with 7 kids(4 of school age) I need to have the planning done. I also don’t have the time to go looking for books. Having said that, we are using a few Canadian resources not from Sonlight.
Gwyn says
I am homeschooling my 7th grade daughter for the first time this fall and chose to go with Sonlight. I think it looks great. We are both so excited!
Dusti says
Thanks for sharing. We have been homeschooling 7 years without Sonlight-this year we are giving it a go. 🙂
I’d love to hear more about your schooling as this next year gets going.
beth@thenaturalmommy says
I’m starting my first year of Sonlight this year! I did My Father’s World Kindergarten with Olivia last year, and was satisfied with it was an introduction, but annoyed with all the trips to the library we had to take! I mean, I love going to the library, but I don’t always make it when the curriculum wanted me to! 🙂 (And I only have three little ones!) Having everything “in the box” is the main reason I went with Sonlight as well! Right now I’m still trying to figure out how to make it work for me (We just finished Day 12 today), but we’re starting to get in a groove! It was encouraging to read this post. Thank you!
Angela says
I’m glad Sonlight worked well for your family! We decided to go with Sonlight, too, and our P4/5 with Readers K is scheduled to arrive tomorrow!!! We are so excited! Abel asked me today if we can do school tomorrow. It’s such a relief to know that, because everything is in the box, we really could start tomorrow if we wanted to! (And we probably WILL want to!) 🙂
Thanks for all you share on your blog in regards to homeschooling. I’m sure I will be referring to it often. 🙂
Blessings,
Angela
Cheryl@SomewhatCrunchy says
I’m reading this, nodding my head, saying “yes, yes, yes!” Those are all the reasons I love Sonlight too 🙂 I think I’m going to take the plunge and try year round schooling this year, do you have series on that?
Amy says
Cheryl,
I don’t have a series, but here is the link to my post on the subject (I also have one at the Homeschool Classroom on it). It’s really more about WHY we do it, rather than the HOW, but for us, the HOW doesn’t look much different than the rest of the year…
https://raisingarrows.net/2010/04/homeschooling-year-round.html
http://www.hsclassroom.net/2010/03/why-school-year-round/
Amy Raymond says
I love reading your Sonlight posts! Although ours are all too little for school yet (at almost-2 & 5 months) I’ve been trying to figure out what I like, what would work for us, when that time comes. I keep being drawn to Sonlight, and love hearing how it’s working for others.
Erin says
So glad to hear! We begin our Sonlight journey officially next week! I’m really looking forward to it.
danielle says
Love the review!
I just switched from Abeka this year…to mixing things up. A little Monarch (which I chose because of it’s ease too!) and a little of this and that as well.
We’ll see how this year goes. Maybe next I’ll think about Sonlight. All the thumbs up are very compelling!
Thanks for sharing girls!
…danielle
Celee says
I couldn’t agree more. We did the same thing last year. We got ahead enough in the first part of our school year that when I was sick and tired in my first trimester in the spring, we were practically done and could finish up more slowly. It was also easy to add a few books here and there. I’m excited about adding their language arts program this year.
Celee
Monica says
I completely agree!! Sonlight has been wonderful fr our family. I’m also hoping to do more of a year-round schedule beginning this year.
Aron says
We started Sonlight in the spring after a recommendation from a good friend, and oh my stars how we love it. The IGs, the book selections, the lack of busy work. LOVE LOVE LOVE. My kids are especially excited because we just opted to do the 4-day a week schedule over the 5 day a week schedule.
Kimberly @ Raising Olives says
Of course, you know that I agree with this post. 😉 I’m so happy that Sonlight has worked well for your family. As we make our way through our 7th year using Sonlight, our first year with 7 school aged children, we still are loving it and it’s still working for us.
May the Lord bless you and your family!
Amy says
Well, you ARE one of the reasons I gave it a try! 😉 I was inspired!
Luke Holzmann says
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It made my day that you gave Sonlight three A+’s [smile]. I am glad to hear that Sonlight has met your needs. That is wonderful to hear.
~Luke
Courtney says
So glad you posted about this. Your family is similar to ours when it comes to streamlining and being flexible. I will start homeschooling in a year and have really been considering using Sonlight. Given all that’s included I don’t think the price is overly steep.
Cheri Little says
We are finishing our first year with Sonlight and LOVE it!!! The kids do great – we get all the basics without having to run around and I add in any hands on activities I feel would be fun! We didn’t use the Sonlight over the summer, instead lapbooking casually and reading etc (we do not homeschool year round) and the kids and I both miss Sonlight! We can’t wait to get our next core! I love seeing how others with a lot more experience incorporate Sonlight into their days!
Stephanie says
Thanks for sharing your love of Sonlight. I just finished the first year of homeschooling my kindergarten age daughter. We too got a slow start due to morning sickness but are looking forward to starting first grade with a napping baby brother in the house. Everything you said is true and more. It is sooooo worth every penny!