The amount of time each day that Sonlight requires depends on the individual student and the specific curriculum they’re using. Generally speaking, though, elementary students spend an average of 1-3 hours a day on Sonlight, while middle and high school students spend 2-4 hours a day.
Because the Sonlight curriculum is so comprehensive and includes not only core subjects but activities and supplemental materials as well, it’s important for families to plan for plenty of time each day to make the most of the program.
Depending on the student’s individual learning style, some may find the material and activities enjoyable and finish them in less time, while others may need more.
What kind of curriculum is Sonlight?
Sonlight is an academically rigorous Christian homeschool curriculum provider, offering materials and programs for children from pre-K through 12th grade. The curriculum is wide-ranging and Biblically-centered.
Sonlight focuses on developing critical thinking and analytical skills, and encourages students to explore the world around them and develop a better understanding of themselves and their faith. The curriculum includes a wide variety of subject matter, including science, math, language arts, social studies, literature, foreign languages, Bible, and more.
Sonlight includes a thorough schedule and timeline for completing the material, as well as plenty of resources to help parents understand and teach the material to their children. Sonlight also includes advice from experienced parents and tutors to help ensure that students get the most out of their learning experience, and parents can take advantage of Sonlight’s online forums to ask questions or just connect with other homeschoolers.
What style of homeschooling is Sonlight?
Sonlight is a Christian homeschooling program and curriculum provider that focuses upon providing an education with a Christian worldview. Sonlight offers a variety of homeschooling styles, but they have become particularly well-known for providing a unit study approach to homeschooling.
In a unit study style of homeschooling, several central topics are explored for a set length of time, usually about a month. Each week within the month has a different theme and central focus, and the curriculum is designed to explore the Subject from many angles and disciplines.
This approach works to give students a more holistic and well-rounded view of the topic at hand.
At it’s core, Sonlight believes in instilling a love of learning in children through a focus on literature-based instruction. Literature-rich or “literary” curriculum incorporates an abundance of books, stories, and even poetry into the learning experience.
These works of literature become the platform or foundation of the academic studies. Through this type of approach, Sonlight seeks to show students the value of reading and to teach them examine their own lives in the light of the literature they are reading.
In addition to literature-based instruction, Sonlight also places heavy emphasis on character building, giving students the opportunity to join discussion groups and participate in book clubs. Sonlight also has a wide selection of history, science, math, language arts and Bible curriculum to choose from.
If you are looking for a homeschooling program that emphasizes literature-based instruction and a unit study approach, then Sonlight is well worth considering.
Is Sonlight considered classical education?
Yes, Sonlight is considered a type of classical education. The Sonlight Curriculum is founded on the three-part Classical Trivium of Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric, which was the foundation of education from the time of the ancient Greeks up until the twentieth century.
Furthermore, the Sonlight curriculum emphasizes the teaching of language arts, literature, history, geography, reasoning and composition skills, science, math, and biblical studies, all of which are components of classical education.
Sonlight also encourages Socratic discussion, another aspect of classical education. Therefore, it is clear that Sonlight is considered a type of classical education.
Is Sonlight curriculum Mormon?
No, Sonlight curriculum is not Mormon. Sonlight is a Christian-based homeschool curriculum provider that has been around since 1990. Sonlight works to provide educational materials that are Biblically-integrated and academically complete.
They offer a Literature-rich homeschool curriculum that enables families to create an environment which develops children spiritually, academically, and emotionally. They focus on helping parents nurture their children’s character and growth based on a Christian worldview.
Although they are rooted in the faith, they have no formal ties to any particular religion and provide a curriculum geared towards any Christian family regardless of denomination.
What is the top rated homeschool curriculum?
The top rated homeschool curriculum depends on the individual needs and interests of the family. Some curricula are developed specifically for homeschooling while many traditional curricula can be adapted to a homeschool setting.
One of the most highly rated curricula is the Charlotte Mason Method. This is an approach to homeschooling that focuses on creating meaningful, rich learning experiences that are rooted in real life.
Charlotte Mason endorsed a curriculum focused on developing the habits and character of children, as well as providing an in-depth education in language, math, science and history.
Another popular choice is the Classical Method. This approach views academics as an art form, combining relevant facts with the imaginative exploration of literature, art and history. Classical homeschoolers are often taught the classical trivium, with grammar, logic and rhetoric forming the foundation of their educational experience.
Of course, even within the same approach to homeschooling there can be a wide variety of curricula options available. Families should narrow down their options to fit their individual goals and preferences, then explore and compare curriculum reviews, samples and other resources to determine which options best meet their needs.
Is Charlotte Mason Classical?
In short, Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy can sometimes be classified as classical, but it is not rigidly so. This is partly because it is a hybrid of different philosophies, such as that of John Dewey and others.
Mason’s approach borrows from belief systems as varied as medieval scholasticism, Romanticism, and the British Classical tradition. She was strongly influenced by all of these ideas, which she blended, adapted, and suitably modified to suit her educational philosophy and methods.
At heart, Charlotte Mason’s philosophy is rooted in classical education, as she emphasizes deep learning and child-led approaches to a wide range of topics. Yet, Charlotte Mason goes further than simply delving into the great books.
She focuses on the idea of natural growth and development in education, which seeks to motivate and inspire children to pursue their own interests while also teaching them to think deeply.
Importantly, Mason believed that children should be presented with “living” books, which come from a range of sources and include topics that the student can relate to. These books are not necessarily classical texts, but they are aimed at teaching and inspiring the student to think critically, ask thought-provoking questions, and explore their own capacity for knowledge and learning.
In essence, Charlotte Mason’s philosophy is a bridge between traditional classical education and modern progressive education. It blends the best of both approaches, creating an educational approach that continues to be highly esteemed, even today.
Is sonlight same as BookShark?
No, Sonlight and BookShark are not the same. Sonlight is an educational curriculum provider that sells teacher’s guides, literature, and other materials. BookShark is an award-winning reading and language arts program that uses both fiction and nonfiction texts.
Although both programs are designed to help students of all ages build literacy skills, they differ in the way the materials are presented and the services they provide. Sonlight offers a wide range of programs that focus on specific subject areas, such as Bible, science, history, and language arts.
These programs are designed to be used in the home classroom or in Christian schools. BookShark, on the other hand, is a light and flexible literature-based learning program that offers a home-based approach with online support for teachers.
The program offers 9 levels of reading instruction that include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, historical fiction, biographies, and more. The curriculum also includes math, science, and social studies.
Although they may appear similar, Sonlight and BookShark have different goals and provide different services.
Is BookShark worth the money?
That depends on many factors, including how much money you have to spend and what your educational goals are. BookShark is a comprehensive online curriculum that offers a wide range of resources and activities, including literature, history, science, writing and math.
It covers k-8th grade and meets both Common Core and state standards.
BookShark is quite pricey when compared to some other online programs and traditional books. However, the cost is offset by the convenience and accessibility of BookShark. It offers complete lesson plans and daily schedules tailored to your child’s age and level, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time researching and planning.
The materials are digital and pre-packaged for you, so you don’t have to worry about spending money on resources.
Moreover, BookShark’s supportive curriculum offers resources that are tailored to your child’s needs. The program features high-quality, engaging materials that keep kids motivated. Plus, there are “deep dive” projects that involve researching topics, participating in virtual field trips and experiments, and creating digital art.
Overall, BookShark is a great investment for parents who value convenience, quality, and engaging educational activities when it comes to their children’s education. It is definitely worth the cost if you have the financial resources to invest in it.
Is Sonlight Catholic?
No, Sonlight is not a Catholic curriculum. Sonlight has Christian-based curriculum, but it is specifically Protestant in its teachings and components. The program draws from a variety of Christian authors and focuses on a different thematic unit each year—such as travel and literature.
While some Catholic homeschoolers find that Sonlight works for their family, the curriculum does not include Catholic teaching or materials.
Is Sonlight secular?
No, Sonlight is not secular. Sonlight is a Christian-based homeschool curriculum that is committed to teaching children by providing quality materials, support and guidance. Sonlight’s core principles are founded on biblical values and their curriculum promotes Scripture-based principles.
The company has many different types of Christian-oriented programs, such as Bible Time and Exploring God’s World, which are designed to help children understand and grow in their faith. Sonlight’s products also strongly emphasize Biblical themes and historical facts with a Christian perspective.
Additionally, most of the books in the Sonlight’s catalog come from a Christian publisher. Sonlight also provides customers with access to Christian support staff and materials to help parents teach their children from a Christian worldview.
Is Sonlight Charlotte Mason?
No, Sonlight is not a Charlotte Mason curriculum. Sonlight is an educational publisher that offers Christian-based homeschool curriculums for grades PreK-12. It does not follow the philosophical approach of Charlotte Mason, which emphasizes learning through nature study and the development of a student’s core character traits.
Charlotte Mason’s philosophy also highlights the importance of regular, short periods of study and frequent discussions. Sonlight’s curriculum, on the other hand, focuses more on the acquisition of knowledge and the mastery of core subject areas.
It offers a traditional, teacher-led approach, which includes textbooks, workbooks, and guides. While Sonlight does incorporate elements of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy into its curriculum, such as the use of living books, it does not follow her entire educational approach.
What is the Charlotte Mason approach?
The Charlotte Mason approach is an educational philosophy that focuses on the holistic development of children’s minds. It emphasizes building knowledge and cultivating passions within learners to empower them to become responsible and creative thinkers.
Charlotte Mason believed that children should be exposed to a wide range of subject matter, such as literature, classical languages, history, philosophy, mathematics, and science. Her approach values quality over quantity in instruction and encourages an engaging learning environment that creates a bond of respect between the teacher and student.
The Charlotte Mason approach also emphasizes the importance of connecting learning to real-life situations, providing meaningful hands-on experiences and field trips whenever possible. Other techniques favored by the Charlotte Mason approach include “living books” or any kind of material that brings the subject to life for the learner, the practice of copywork, wherein students copy the work of authors, and narration, wherein students are encouraged to verbally share what they have learned from their experiences.
The main focus of the Charlotte Mason approach is to aid students in developing strong character and truly engaging in learning, not merely memorizing facts for a test. Ultimately, this approach seeks to cultivate life-long learners who are motivated from within to seek knowledge.
What denomination is Sonlight curriculum?
Sonlight Curriculum is a Christian homeschool curriculum provider. Their materials are faith-based and cross-denominational, meaning that Sonlight does not have a specific denominational affiliation and is instead open to various faith traditions.
This means that Sonlight materials can be used by evangelicals, Catholics, mainline Protestants, and other denominations alike. In their materials, Sonlight promotes a Biblically-grounded approach to instruction.
They strive to create materials that are respectful of different beliefs and provide students with a spiritual foundation that encompasses all faith traditions. As part of this, Sonlight encourages its customers to supplement the curriculum with material from their own faith tradition.
