May. 1, 2008 - What Curriculum Do You Use?
If you're a homeschooler, I bet you get asked all the time what curriculum you use. I do too, so I thought I'd share some of the things I use in our educational adventure. Whenever people ask me that question I usually answer, "Sonlight."
That is where we spend the lion's share of our time working. It covers our history, geography, Bible, reading, and literature. It is a literature based program... That means that it incorporates great literature to bring the history, geography, etc. to life. Some of the books are actual texts, some are reference books, some are fictional. But they all work together to teach educational and spiritual concepts. Sonlight has always done such a good job of picking the type of books I would have chosen on my own- if I'd taken all that time to dig, sort, and search for such gems. Even before my homeschooling days I always tried to find books and/or stories that reinforced what I was teaching my children. I know when you're on your own trying to find all these wonderful books, you often have to wade through many not-so-wonderful books. So I'm very thankful to have all the researching and looking done for me. My children have always loved our books and take great joy from them. Many, many times at dinner time when we're going around the table giving our favorite part of the day our Sonlight time is what's mentioned. That makes for one happy homeschool mom!
Now Sonlight isn't a set of workbooks, and sometimes I've encountered people who were not all that impressed with my just reading a bunch of books to my children. But that has never lasted long when they get a chance to actually talk to my children about what they're learning! They hear how my children are understanding what we're learning. They are seeing the enthusiasm my children have for learning. Usually by the time my kids are done talking with them, even the naysayers themselves are thinking that workbooks are pretty lame! Now don't get me wrong, we do our share of workbooks, and there are some really great ones out there. However that's just not where we devote most of our educational energies.
As for the nitty-gritty of how we utilize Sonlight, we do three cores (levels if you will) of Sonlight every year. My oldest is finishing his second year of in-depth World History. He is pretty independent with his reading. I do spot checks to insure that he's got a handle on what he's learning. And thus far he has always surpassed the bare minimum of my expectations because he enjoys the materials so much.
Lauren has been studying the Eastern Hemisphere in Core 5. I have had such fun learning with my children. Before our studies, I had been taught where these countries are, and I was pretty proud that I remembered all that geography and actually knew a little something about such far-reaching locales. But Sonlight goes so much further than just the bare facts. My children have learned about the cultures, the history, AND the basic facts!
Joseph and Landry are studying Core 2 together. It is an introductory course in World History. I love seeing them learn together. Nothing makes this homeschool mom's heart prouder than to hear them out in the yard pretending they are knights and ladies, or pharoahs, or Spartans.
Sonlight is certainly not the only curriculum we use, but it is the driving force of our learning. So much centers around the particular historical periods we are studying. It does take a lot of time reading so much to my children, but it does work for us. They love it and so do I!
Happy teaching,
Kim
Comments
May. 2, 2008 - :-)
Posted by KarlaKAkins
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Believe it or not, Sonlight is the one curriculum I have not used much. I may have used a bit of it years ago. It seems like I've used everything! :-)
Happy Schooling!
May. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Patiecake
Thanks for the curriculum review. I have my curriculum determined but i sent a friend over to read your review because she is interested in Sonlight. Take care
May. 19, 2008 - <em>Untitled Comment</em>
Posted by lahbluebonnet
Oh I agree! Learning from books is so much more fun and informative than learning from worksheets!
Blessings,
Laurie
Edited by lahbluebonnet on May. 19, 2008 at 7:48 AM
