Sonlight - what do you add?

[sted]

Hello,

 

I am considering Sonlight next year (Core 3 or Core 3+4). I love the idea of a literature based program. My question is, do you feel you have to add something to make this program more complete. I know the one criticism is that it doesn't have hands-on activities but I'm thinking of other areas. For example does it have enough mapping assignments or do you add extra? I definately don't "need" tests but not having anything "written" or a final product might worry me. Does anyone do lapbooks or notebooking with the curriculum. What about even having children to do a written narration with some of the material.

 

Any ideas would be appreciated?

 

Shannon

[coffeefreak]

We're doing Core 2. We don't add mapping (there's MORE than enough). I do use edhelper.com to generate worksheets for the vocab words, and we do notebooking ala TWTM (writing a narration at least once a week for our history notebook). Other than that, I don't add anything but the obvious (Math and Science etc).

 

HTH!

Dorinda

[arcara]

My dd (4th grade) will be doing SL 3+4 next year. I'm planning for her to do narrations as recommended for 4th grade in TWTM. I haven't seen the IG in full yet, so I can't comment on the mapping.

[Pongo]

I read through and set up cores 1 and 3 for next year. I did notice in the workbooks (The Story of the U.S.A.) there are some questions and fill in work pages, we plan on using them as an outline to our discussion,this is in core 3. I also bought a huge map, as soon as we finish our renovation it will go up on the wall to use for mapping (using a flag system) instead of the mark-it map which I will use for my younger one in core 1.

I plan on 1 literature analysis every other month with my oldest two. Basically, I read through the literature notes and decided on which books I thought had a underling meaning. Then I read those books, took notes and looked online for a free resource to flesh out the analysis. They will write a formal critique on those books, IEW style:)

As far as hands on, we will stick to cooking (that's always a big hit) some foods from the time periods we are studying. I am in the process of finding some really nice , present worthy crafts for the kids to give as Christmas gifts that will also be from that time period. This way I am not just purchasing random items, but turning them into gifts. I got this idea from a Historical Craft Fair and thought it would be so cost effective, more personal and the kids really are involved. So far for the Core 3 I am looking into vintage material for aprons (oldest dd learning to sew), church dolls, homemade soap for ds to do, and for Core 1 my little one will make mosaic stepping stones for the garden.:D

Edited February 24, 2009 by Pongo

[G5052]

I'm on my sixth core now, but this is the last year because I'm using other things for 7th and up. We tend towards a Latin-centered, more relaxed approach than some, so I'm fine with not having a written product. My children have always grasped the flow of history quite well with Sonlight, and that's my goal at this point. We have never used their language arts, and are currently using IEW and Classical Conversation's grammar (somewhat similar to Shurley).

 

If your goal is detailed knowledge, of course you may want more, but I've been fine just basically using it as a reading list. We used TOG at one point, and frankly I think my children have retained more with Sonlight. They love books and aren't hands-on types.

[sandalwood]

Hello,

 

I am considering Sonlight next year (Core 3 or Core 3+4). I love the idea of a literature based program. My question is, do you feel you have to add something to make this program more complete. I know the one criticism is that it doesn't have hands-on activities but I'm thinking of other areas. For example does it have enough mapping assignments or do you add extra? I definately don't "need" tests but not having anything "written" or a final product might worry me. Does anyone do lapbooks or notebooking with the curriculum. What about even having children to do a written narration with some of the material.

 

Any ideas would be appreciated?

 

Shannon

 

I am doing Core 3 now, you will have more than enough mapping if you choose to do it as written. A lot of times we just pull out the globe instead of the markable map, as we have the old one that is a roll-up map.

 

 

We add just the obvious to Sonlight like English, Math, we use their science (like it fine), etc. We did purchase their 3LA and I have very loosely incorportated some of it into our lessons. We use Rod & Staff, so too much is overkill but the LA 3 has some nice copywork, etc. in it. I don't regret buying it. I grumble about Sonlight sometimes, but we have been very pleased with it and the history in Core 3 is awesome. IF you are debating between 3 and 3+4, if you can at all go with 3, then 4....it's great. I debated for a long time which to go with and I'm happy I chose the route with 3 and 4 so nothing was left out or sped through so quickly. I'm using it with a 5th grader and it is plenty, as long as you keep the readers, etc. , math on level. It's fantastic. To answer your question about lapbooking, etc.... we don't do it. We tried it and it was not fun for my son or for me! We are super-not-crafty people here. I think I am better off not doing that stuff, lol ;)

Edited February 24, 2009 by sandalwood

[KristineinKS]

We're using Core 6 this year and are doing some notebooking, though mainly because with 4 kids, I find it easier than any kind of verbal narration. I'm also using SOTW worksheets (basically the AG questions typed out), given to me by someone here. We add in lots of hands-on projects because we love those, and the rest of the add-ons are just the usual (math, science, etc.). I think many people do lapbook, especially for the lower cores, so that's always an option too.

[mchel210]

I write my own questions for my son from history...but my son needs tons of review. I don't do them all the time...but I review the main points throughout our week from previous weeks. That keeps everything fresh. There are a few books that have questions in them but for the most part, I just have my son outline or sum up the work he reads on his own.

 

 

Our mapping is really fun and I dont add more.

 

We are using Core 4 for 7th grade. I love it. My son begs me to read extra everyday. He is loving it as well. We use SL LA but I add in IEW SWI B and I plan on using the continuation course next year.

 

I add in our other subjects...math, science, logic, spelling, and our electives. But we focus mainly on writing history and math. My son is catching up.

[smythen]

I guess I am in the minority here, but we're doing Core 3 this year and Core 4 next year, and I haven't been happy with the geography. Since it goes along with the readers it's pretty random. It also doesn't include much beside finding "point x" on the map - I like a little more physical geography, so we're going a bit deeper. I just ordered Trail Guide to US Geography to go along with Core 4, but we're actually breaking it out this week because it has a wonderful unit (6 wks) on Lewis & Clark that fits beautifully into Core 3.

[Melissa in CA]

I guess I am in the minority here, but we're doing Core 3 this year and Core 4 next year, and I haven't been happy with the geography. Since it goes along with the readers it's pretty random.

 

:iagree: I have used eight SL cores and never did develop a tender for their geography. Random is a good word for it. :tongue_smilie: I MUCH prefer the way TOG does it, I think. ;)