paulcindy Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I know I have read things on the Sonlight Boards, but I would like to hear from anyone here who LOVE Sonlight, and would never think of changing to another program. Much appreciated:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jozi Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I used Sonlight's K core & Bible this year, along with My Father's World. I absolutely LOVE it! I really appreciate the type of readers SL chooses. I think my ds has such an expanded vocabulary because of it. I'm reading books to him that I never would have chosen from the library, so I'm learning along the way too. I appreciate the comprehension questions to help me try to think outside the box and discuss the literature with him. I think the timeline is great and is giving him an understanding of past and present. I also think the map has been a huge draw for him. He loves seeing where all these stories take place and it's just being integrated into his reading. It's not even like we are trying to make "geography" happen. I am using the Core 1 exclusively next year (well, except math) because I loved it so much this year! Hope it helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline4kids Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I don't have to scrounge for good books. Period, end of story.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pata Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 What keeps me with Sonlight is the books, they are great and I don't have to pick them or plan anything to do with them, which right now is a big bonus. Also, it's much easier for me to manipulate Sonlight into what I want instead of starting with nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 We're on our sixth core, and along the way also used TOG and Galloping the Globe. Sonlight has been the best. I use it pretty much as is, and it gets done. My kids love the books. We do our own thing for Bible, and we drop one or two books a year because of sensativities. Their missionary stories tend to be "gritty," so we've dropped some of those. I also read through one volume of SOTW with them each year, not worrrying about an exact line-up, so this year we're doing SOTW 4 with Core 4. We're changing direction somewhat next year and are doing other things, but I will continue to recommend Sonlight, especially for grammar-stage children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 back to it. Partly because it uses some books that I think are good books and I want my children to read them. Partly because it uses some books that I'd never think to encourage my children to read but they make my children think. Mostly because it's easy to implement and easy to adapt to each child. For example, my youngest dd would prefer to read as little as possible. I am using parts of Core 3 with her next year rather than doing the whole Core. Although the cost of each core makes me cringe in dismay, the years we have used Sonlight have just seemed so much smoother,consistant and productive than the years when I've tried to pull things together on my own. The years we used their science programs were the only years that science got done regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewinglady Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I am loving Sonlight. Whether I choose to use CM or Classical methods, SL will easily adapt to these for me. The books are incredible, the Instructor Guides add structure (saving me time), and the customer service has always been kind. My dd also enjoys most of the books. Some are slightly above her comprehension, but I am willing to redo these when she's a bit older. She is now reading many of the books from our first core (p3/4). And as we continue on our journey she will have a healthy library of books to read at her leisure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne115 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 The reason I love Sonlight is the books! The read aloud books and the readers are fablulous. We did all of Core C last year. We also read many books from their lower core. This year we are doing Core 1 and we still love it! I do tweak it a bit, but I do that with all curriculum. Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Gotta be the books. Really, SL has a great book selection (with a few exceptions...). I am enjoying spreading each core out over 1 or 2 years so that leaves me plenty of wiggle room to rabbit trail as much as we want or need to. When I do want a schedule, the IG lays it all out for me. I find it very easy to adjust as needed. Plus, I get it all in one big box and the return policy and customer sevice is outstanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 We used Core 1 this year and I just purchased Core 2 today. It is the one subject all year my kids have LOVED and asked to do. I love the book selections. It has subjects that bring about discussions without introducing subjects too early in their reading for their ages. I like being able to pick up our History and go. Even if I didn't bother to read ahead we can do History without me floundering in what to teach or skim to skip things. It was a curriculum that I kept looking at. Over and over again. I finally decided to try it. I had a back up plan in the cabinet. But it has been such a wonderful addition to our homeschooling! I don't regret trying it and kinda wish I had considered it earlier. If you are on the fence, just try it. They have a wonderful return policy. My kids have always enjoyed read aloud time. They treasure our time on the couch reading and discussing. It was a great fit for us. I thought it would be. It proved to be better than I could have imagined. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulcindy Posted March 25, 2009 Author Share Posted March 25, 2009 Thank you for sharing the replies. I always wondered though, they have the read alouds and the readers scheduled in one day. Wouldn't a child get confused by reading two books at the same time, on the same day?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Thank you for sharing the replies. I always wondered though, they have the read alouds and the readers scheduled in one day. Wouldn't a child get confused by reading two books at the same time, on the same day?? Do you get confused if you watch the news and then your husband comes home and tells your some things about his day? This hasn't been an issue for us at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulcindy Posted March 25, 2009 Author Share Posted March 25, 2009 LOL, I guess not. Thanks:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 I always wondered though, they have the read alouds and the readers scheduled in one day. Wouldn't a child get confused by reading two books at the same time, on the same day?? I have always been a "one book at a time" person. However, I have learned that my children can process and hold so much more than that. Long before I had ever heard of sonlight, both of my dc started reading books on their own in addition to what we would be reading aloud. My dd usually keeps 3-4 books going at a time! Both kids can have a great discussion with you about whichever book you want and will finish them as their interest gets pulled in or as I encourage them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I've used SL Pre-K, K, 1 and we're just finishing up Core 2. I'm in the process of collecting the books for Core 3. I love Sonlight because it gives me a time in each school day that my children and I can both enjoy together. I have always loved reading to my kids and they love it as well. They are both like little sponges and have picked up so much from our reading time. I love the schedule as well. I just open up my instructor's guide and we are ready to go. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I'm currently doing core 6 with my son, although it's going slowly. He's balking at the history written work that I give him but not at the Sonlight novels which he loves. He's also doing stuff in double, like a French language arts and an English one, Math and both languages, etc.. So it's going slower than expected. We'll take 18 months to do the core (including summer vacations). That's my only disappointment with Sonlight. My daughter is doing the read-alouds from core 2 with me, and nothing else. She's not good enough in English yet to handle a full core. Again, the read-alouds will take us till next Christmas. That's my only complaint about Sonlight, it's taking us too long. BUT the kids beg me to do Sonlight work. And I love the conversations sparked by the various books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in NC Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 We took a TOG detour this year, and are returning to SL for high school. My youngest dd has had no problem tracking several books at one time. However, my oldest daughter was a visual learner, and absolutely hated any read aloud. Sonlight was terribly frustrating for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calandalsmom Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I have used 1+2, 3, 4, and am now using 5 NOT as written (for the first time I haev done a major overhaul.) I dont use the science or the LA but may try them again now that they've been revamped. I can't say enough about the books. We just LOVE the read alouds. I also loved the planning being done for me. That wouldnt work with core 5 but that's ok. Still, looking forward to core 6 in a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I'll echo everyone else that the books are great. Also their hsing philosophy meshes well with mine, the IGs work for me, and they have the best customer service of any hsing company I've ever dealt with (and there's a lot of them!) and that makes me feel good about giving them my business and spending my money with them. I have a highly visual 8 year old but I think I'd rather adapt SL for him than go with another company, so far we're doing well adding in more visual books and hands-on elements for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulcindy Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 I have been reading through the Core 4 IG(we are not using their LA). American History Part 2. I like the IG daily schedule, and the way it is all laid out. I guess I am just trying to figure out how much they really "learn" from just reading paperback books? Does the meat come from the Story of the USA workbooks, and Landmark History by Boorstein? We are only doing the History/literature/and the bible passage memories. Not the Bible books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristineinKS Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I have been reading through the Core 4 IG(we are not using their LA). American History Part 2. I like the IG daily schedule, and the way it is all laid out. I guess I am just trying to figure out how much they really "learn" from just reading paperback books? Does the meat come from the Story of the USA workbooks, and Landmark History by Boorstein? We are only doing the History/literature/and the bible passage memories. Not the Bible books. I can't speak for Core 4, but really the books are such a vital part of the Sonlight program (they're our favorite part)! And yes, I do believe that kids learn quite a bit from reading them. My kids are doing Core 6 & the books have really helped them understand the cultures we're studying - they bring the history to life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChildofGrace Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I have been reading through the Core 4 IG(we are not using their LA). American History Part 2. I like the IG daily schedule, and the way it is all laid out. I guess I am just trying to figure out how much they really "learn" from just reading paperback books? Does the meat come from the Story of the USA workbooks, and Landmark History by Boorstein? We are only doing the History/literature/and the bible passage memories. Not the Bible books. Yes, I agree with the previous poster that the books add enormously to a student's learning. SL schedules some of the best-of-the-best historical fiction, and reading them greatly fleshes out the time period being studied. IMO, connecting one's imagination and heart with the learning really helps with retention. I will also add that we always enjoy when we encounter something/someone from our history reads in a RA or Reader. For example, we covered President Monroe and the War of 1812 in our History Reading, and then had those brought to mind again later when reading Justin Morgan Had a Horse. My kiddoes really enjoyed that.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liltrees Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 It's as the others have mentioned...it's all about the books. We have done both P4/5 and K and we LOVE the books. I plan on using Sonlight again for 1. It's nice to have a schedule IF you want to follow it, but the program is easy to manipulate around if you want changes. I've tweaked here and there, but wouldn't consider changing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Jenn~ Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 We're seriously considering Sonlight for next year. This thread has been very helpful!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violin69 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 We love SL Cores bc of the wonderful books and the well planned IG. Everything is right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenn4 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 We have used Sonlight Core K,Core 1, Core 3 and Core 4. Core K was excellent! We love, love, love the read alouds and readers, the lay-out, the great customer service ect. What I haven't liked is that we missed doing hands-on projects. We did not like the history spine for Core 3 and 4 (The Landmark History of the American People). I also did 2 seperate cores this year and don't want to do that again! Sonlight is easy to tweak to fit your family's needs. After I changed our Core 4 history spine, we have enjoyed our history again. I would definately recommend Sonlight. Be sure to check out their 27 Reasons Not To Buy Sonlight though and see if it fits your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.