Sonlight for Dummies?

[PollyOR]

This is embarrassing. I've been homeschooling for a number of years, so I've heard of Sonlight. Last year I went to a small homeschool conference and sat through a Sonlight Rep's workshop. I watched a nice little slide show about "27 Reasons not to buy Sonlight." Still, I came away not understanding what Sonlight is based on or even what the word "core" means. The rep assumed basic prior knowledge about Sonlight.

 

Can you do me a favor? Pretend I'm a non-homeschooler (ex. a grandparent) with no prior knowledge and I ask you to explain to me what Sonlight is. How would you describe it? I guess I'm not asking to be sold on Sonlight, rather I want to understand what you mean when you talk about Sonlight.

Edited April 2, 2009 by PollyOR

[violin69]

I'd explain Sonlight this way:

Sonlight is a literture-based curriculum with a strong emphasis on history. I understand the philosophy of Sonlight (SL) to be that exposure to good literture is the core of education thus "The Core". A core is a combination of Istructor's Guide (IG), History, Geography, Read-Alouds, and Reader Books, Maps, and CDs. Bible use to be a part of the core but now the books are separate. The Core IGs still have the Bible lessons included. LA, Science, Bible, and Electives like Music are sold separately or part of their complete packages.

[mommysweird]

The PP gave a good description. But I'll just add that math must be added, also. SL offers Horizons, Miquon, Saxon and Singapore (i think) - but you can always get your math anywhere else you wish, as it's not included in the IG. I do think they provide SL created IG's for the math programs that don't already offer one in their pagckage.

[VBCaroline]

Does the IG contain all you need for history except for the spines? Are discussion ???s and maps included with the IG?

Thanks.

Caroline

[violin69]

Oops! Forgot the math.

Edited April 2, 2009 by violin69

[violin69]

There are questions with each chapter. They have both maps in the IG and a Markable map with dry erase markers. There's also a Book of Time and stickers of various people and events that are studied. SL has samples of the IG.

Edited April 2, 2009 by violin69

[mommysweird]

Does the IG contain all you need for history except for the spines?

Caroline

 

Not sure if this question is asking if the spines are scheduled, but they are. But they're called Read-Alouds if you're looking at an IG sample.

[VBCaroline]

Not sure if this question is asking if the spines are scheduled, but they are. But they're called Read-Alouds if you're looking at an IG sample.

 

Yes, this is what I needed to know.

Thanks!

[PollyOR]

Thank you violin69! Your explanation is clear and very helpful. :)

[mims]

Can you do me a favor? Pretend I'm a non-homeschooler (ex. a grandparent) with no prior knowledge and I ask you to explain to me what Sonlight is. How would you describe it? I guess I'm not asking to be sold on Sonlight, rather I want to understand what you mean when you talk about Sonlight.

 

 

Sonlight was originally designed for missionaries. They include every little thing you need for science and their books are real good literature (Newberry winners from 20 years ago, well written biographies, etc.). Because they are working with third-culture kids it has a real wide view of the world. They have 2 years of American History in grade school and the rest is world history and a year of Eastern Hemisphere. Lots of good books from and about other areas of the world.

[Annie Laurie]

Not sure if this question is asking if the spines are scheduled, but they are. But they're called Read-Alouds if you're looking at an IG sample.

 

No, the spines are under "history/geography" in the catalog, website samples and in the IG. Read-alouds are additional literature for the parent to read to the child. Read-alouds always include a poetry book, as well as a literature fiction book. In Cores K-2 the read-alouds don't usually coordinate with the history spine reading. In Cores 3 and above, the read-aloud complements, and fleshes out the history spine reading. Just as, in Core K-2, the readers don't always go with the history reading, but in Cores 3 and above they do.

[siloam]

Generally a "core" is a schedule and books for history texts, read-alouds (that coordinate with history from Core 3 up), Bible (Whole Bible is read over 5 years with one gospel covered a year) and readers (also relate to history starting in Core 3). You can use SL LA and Science or not. They also provide may options for handwriting, math and such, but again you can also go elsewhere.

 

So you have a 13yo, 10yo and 7yo, right? Hmmmm....

 

Core 6 (7, 10, 13) Ancients/Middle Ages/Renaissance

Core 7 (8, 11, 14) Early modern to modern times.

Core 3 (8, 12); Core 100 (15) both US History

Core 4 (9, 13); Core 200 (16) Younger dc US history; Church history/missionaries for the older.

Core 5 (10, 14); Core 300 (17) Add a separate Government program for 17yo; Eastern Hemisphere for younger two and Modern history for oldest.

Core 6 (11); Core 100 (15)

Core 7 (12); Core 200 (16)

Core 100 (13); Core 300 (17) Add a separate Government program for 17yo.

Core 200 (14)

Core 300 (15)

Core 400 (16)

Core 530 (17)

 

That is one way you might approach SL with your crew. The cores before 100 are intended that you read them aloud, and the cores after 100 are designed for the child to read independently, so they don't actually have read alouds, just readers.

 

Core 6 and 7 use Story of the World as spines and Usborne World History, so you would probably just use Usborne World History for your youngest.

 

Have I helped or confused you more? ;)

 

Heather

 

 

[PollyOR]

Aack! Heather, you weren't supposed to talk me into this. :D Maybe I should stick my head back in the sand now. ;)

[mommysweird]

No, the spines are under "history/geography" in the catalog, website samples and in the IG. Read-alouds are additional literature for the parent to read to the child. Read-alouds always include a poetry book, as well as a literature fiction book.

 

You're right. DUH!! I don't know what I was thinking. I had a baby about a year ago and I haven't slept since. :crying: Sometimes I wonder how I complete my sentences.

[thundersweet]

Generally a "core" is a schedule and books for history texts, read-alouds (that coordinate with history from Core 3 up), Bible (Whole Bible is read over 5 years with one gospel covered a year) and readers (also relate to history starting in Core 3). You can use SL LA and Science or not. They also provide may options for handwriting, math and such, but again you can also go elsewhere.

 

So you have a 13yo, 10yo and 7yo, right? Hmmmm....

 

Core 6 (7, 10, 13) Ancients/Middle Ages/Renaissance

Core 7 (8, 11, 14) Early modern to modern times.

Core 3 (8, 12); Core 100 (15) both US History

Core 4 (9, 13); Core 200 (16) Younger dc US history; Church history/missionaries for the older.

Core 5 (10, 14); Core 300 (17) Add a separate Government program for 17yo; Eastern Hemisphere for younger two and Modern history for oldest.

Core 6 (11); Core 100 (15)

Core 7 (12); Core 200 (16)

Core 100 (13); Core 300 (17) Add a separate Government program for 17yo.

Core 200 (14)

Core 300 (15)

Core 400 (16)

Core 530 (17)

 

 

Ok Heather, you are the master at this. I am trying to figure out if I will be able to combine my kids. My kids are 7 and 4. We are doing core 1 with my 7yo right now. I have cores A and B for the little one. For dd's third grade in the fall, I am planning on core 2. Work your magic for me please!~ :)

 

Sandy

[siloam]

Aack! Heather, you weren't supposed to talk me into this. :D Maybe I should stick my head back in the sand now. ;)

 

LOL! Don't feel bad. SL was/is my first love. If it weren't for the fact that 1. I can't get through a core in a year if my life depended on it, 2. I have hands on learners, and 3. my 2nd dd is extremely sensitive I would still be doing SL now. But those are three pretty big problems, so I am doing TOG. Sweet Pea still does a lot of SL books, but Pumpkin does not.

 

Just because it is a good thing, doesn't mean it would work out in real life for you.

 

Heather

 

[siloam]

Sandy,

 

Hmmmm...do you use SL LA? That is where things can really get tricky.

 

2009 Core A (4); Core 2 (7)

2010 Core B (5); Core 3 (8)

2011 Core C (6); Core 4 (9)

2012 Core 5 (7, 10) Use supplemental material and/or Galloping the Globe for 7yo.

2013 Core 6 (8, 11) Supplement with core 1 materiel for 8yo.

2014 Core 7 (9, 12) Supplement with Core 2 material for 9yo.

2015 Core 3+4 (10); core 100 (13)

2016 Core 5 (11); Core 200 (14) tough year, both are ask questions cores

2017 Core 6 (12); Core 300 (15)

2018 Core 7 (13); Core 400 (16)

2019 Core 100 (14); Core 530 (17)

 

Well the most straight forward option isn't too bad. As they get older there might be a few options to make things work a little better for you, for instance flipping Core 5 with 6 and 7, so they can do 530 with it:

 

2009 Core A (4); Core 2 (7)

2010 Core B (5); Core 3 (8)

2011 Core C (6); Core 4 (9)

2012 Core 5 (7, 10) Use supplemental material and/or Galloping the Globe for 7yo.

2013 Core 6 (8, 11) Supplement with core 1 materiel for 8yo.

2014 Core 7 (9, 12) Supplement with Core 2 material for 9yo.

2015 Core 3+4 (10); core 100 (13)

2016 Core 6 (11); Core 200 (14)

2017 Core 7 (12); Core 300 (15)

2018 Core 5 and 530 (13); Core 530 (16)

2019 Core 100 (14); Core 400 (17)

 

I kinda like that because they both can do 530 together (would they fight over the books?). The oldest could do Econ, Philosophy or one of those programs with 530. It also eliminates the heavy year of doing both 200 and 5 at the same time. The biggest problem with doing this is if you do SL LA. LA 5 is traditional, and LA 6 and 7 move towards independence, so a child probably won't want to work independently then go back to the old way, KWIM? You would have to modify LA 5 or find something else for that year, if you do SL LA.

 

Another way to eliminate the 200 and 5 in one year thing is to do 530 earlier:

 

2009 Core A (4); Core 2 (7)

2010 Core B (5); Core 3 (8)

2011 Core C (6); Core 4 (9)

2012 Core 5 (7, 10) Use supplemental material and/or Galloping the Globe for 7yo.

2013 Core 6 (8, 11) Supplement with core 1 materiel for 8yo.

2014 Core 7 (9, 12) Supplement with Core 2 material for 9yo.

2015 Core 3+4 (10); core 100 (13)

2016 Core 6 (11); Core 530 (14) Plus Econ?

2017 Core 7 (12); Core 200 (15)

2018 Core 5 and 530 (13); Core 300 (16)

2019 Core 100 (14); Core 400 (17)

 

The nice thing here is it gives your dd another year of maturity before doing Core 300, which does have adult content literature.

 

Remember too that you might be able to loosely have the younger follow along. My kids were a little closer in age, but I did Usborne World History with both Sweet Pea and Pumpkin, then did CHOW and the RA's with just Sweet Pea. Then I read one of the A/B core stories a day to Pumpkin for her RA.

 

Hope that helps a little.

 

Blessings,

 

Heather

[thundersweet]

Pretty amazing Heather! You should work for SL. lol We are not using SL LA so that's not a problem. I appreciate the time you took to type all that out. Hopefully, I can keep up with it this time so I can refer back to it later.

 

Thanks a bunch,

Sandy

[Annie Laurie]

You're right. DUH!! I don't know what I was thinking. I had a baby about a year ago and I haven't slept since. :crying: Sometimes I wonder how I complete my sentences.

 

I often wonder the same thing about myself! :grouphug:

[siloam]

Sandy,

 

Glad to help!

 

If you loose it I will still be around, if fact I buy my math from SL so I still have access most the time. Right now happens to be one of those times when I don't, but I should be placing an order in a couple of weeks, so "I will be back" (said in my best terminator vioce-and I don't do voices well, so if you could hear me you would be rolling on the floor laughing).

 

Heather