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Why Do People Love Sonlight?

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For more comments about Sonlight Curriculum (SL), see What is Sonlight?

It's certainly not for everyone. True, some love it, but some also hate it. Which are you? If you read nothing else, read 31 Reasons NOT to Buy Sonlight. It will give you a very accurate picture of SL to help you decide. They also list Reasons TO Buy Sonlight.

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Scholarly
From: Kathy R

I find SL's emphasis on becoming an intelligent Christian in the world one of the most compelling for using the curriculum!


Oasis
From: Elaine B

I wish I could have started out with Sonlight instead of wandering the curriculum desert for 7 years first. Sonlight is a lush oasis.

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Read comments about Test Results from Sonlight users, in a thread from their Choosing Forum. Also on the Choosing Forum, a thread about Results After High School.

Test Results
From: Kristie in BC

My first son went to public school for the first time for grade 12 this year. He had done many years of Sonlight. Out of a class of 224 students he ended up getting the top science student award, along with top male student. So far he has been awarded over $23,000 in scholarship money. He earned a 100% on the provincial biology exam. A 100% is very rare; in fact the newspaper did a write-up on him. (In B.C. every senior takes a standard provincial exam. Universities look at these scores rather than SAT's or ACT's, for scholarships and admissions.)

We talked about why he had done so well when he hadn't even really done a formal biology course. All the other kids had done science every year, carefully covering what was required, then going to the next textbook. I think the dry textbook approach, memorizing information, only to turn around and promptly forget it, reading just little bits about one subject, and then another, kills a natural interest in learning. My son grew up reading tons of the Usborne books that come with Sonlight, doing things like the Biology Coloring Book, going for nature walks and learning the names of the things around him. This is real learning, the kind that stays with you your whole life.

I have used biology as an example, but it has been like this for every subject. He is carrying a 100% average in Physics. His teacher has never had a student like him. Before this year the only physics he had done had been what Sonlight had to offer, and knowing us we probably skipped half the experiments that year! We didn't do every writing assignment either, and he still earned an A in his grade 12 English course. The key is he has a love of learning, and I know that is because he has been allowed to interact with great books rather than textbooks. Math is the only subject he has used a textbook in over the years.

Oh- in case you are thinking maybe I just have a really bright son, I should tell you that my second son has also followed the same homeschool path as his older brother, has chosen to go to public school next year for the same reasons as his brother, and will be skipping an entire grade and going into grade 11 instead of grade 10 because he is so far ahead of his public school peers.

[P.S. The editor checked with Kristie before posting her story. She now reports that her second son also got a 100% on his Physics 12 provincial exam!]


Test Results
From: Lee in Everett

I did 4th year with my 5th grader last year and he learned a ton. He scored in the 95th percentile for science after using Sonlight's 4th year program. (They didn't have science in the public school he attended before that.)

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Just Right for Us
From: KC

I have used SL for four years because:

-Probably right off the bat is its teacher-friendliness, found in the easy-to-use Instructor's Guides, the wonderful layout of the schedule, tips, explanations, and helps. The preparation is all done so that our efforts can go into TEACHING, and we're not burnt out from just planning and preparing!

-SL has done all the work for us so it has wide appeal to both newcomers and veterans. For those who are new to homeschooling, SL provides "hand-holding" while acclimating to the whole homeschooling process (and the children don't suffer while we learn because everything's there and laid out for us!) On the other hand, veterans have commented, "Wow! I could have been saving all that time!" They're not wasting all their energy in searching for, reviewing, evaluating, scheduling, planning, etc., etc., etc.!

-"School in a box": for those who don't have good access to a library, this is WONDERFUL... everything you need for your school year arrives in one glorious box!

-Learning history through literature, as opposed to just reading about it in a textbook, is hands-down superior! I shake my head sadly daily and mutter "I wish *I* had learned this way." (Well...never too late! I sure am learning a lot now!) And what a wonderful way to learn! The readers and read-alouds are outstanding, and we save this part for "last" because it really is our favorite!

-The variety and quality of the books assigned: SO many times I've finished a book, truly appreciating its value and realizing I would never have chosen it myself, usually just because I would be drawn to what interests me most. The genre of reading material is varied and provides wonderful exposure for our children.

-I didn't initially see the science as strong a component as I do now (finishing up 3rd year SL). Every year there is a "focus" but also every year there is general knowledge worked in as well...I see that this spiraling presentation of material has really solidified many science concepts for my children and science is a real strength for them because of it.

-Sonlight is very thorough....there are little elements to homeschooling that would be "missing"... elements that are often overlooked in other "complete" curricula: from dictations to time lines, it's provided right there. Even other elements, which are very important for a well-rounded education, are suggested in the Enrichment section of the catalog, and thus we are encouraged to work them in.

-Sonlight is very "meaty" academically...it often stretches students and challenges without discouraging them to move on (they don't really even realize it!).

-Very flexible to suit a lot of different teaching philosophies...SL provides quality materials, and we present in the methodology to which we adhere.

-Sonlight REALLY listens to its users! They take into consideration every customer comment, both good and bad, and are constantly upgrading to meet the general demand of the users.

-Sonlight is wonderful about exchanges, returns, and they are MORE than fair with regards to letting us view and USE products to satisfaction. What other company do you know, who has an 8-week money back guarantee? My dealings with any of the personnel have always been pleasant.

-Widespread support: here on this board (Sonlight's forums) and SL loops. They provide VERY specific support as you go along in your school year. I can't imagine the isolation of schooling without such readily available wisdom from those who are also teaching exactly what I'm teaching!

No one curriculum is PERFECT. There are things that some people don't like about Sonlight, but the valuable point is that SL asks us regularly what we like and don't like. They are always reshaping to satisfy the bulk of their customers. If there are components you don't particularly care for, you don't have to forego the whole beauty of SL...since you don't have to buy "all or nothing," you pick the parts you want! It really is a very usable, flexible program.
 
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Widescreen, Not Tunnel Vision
From: JB

I want my children to explore God's magnificent creation in wonder, not have it dissected for them in boring (and questionable) freeze dried bites. I don't want my kids stultified by public school propaganda nor Christian school tunnel vision. I want them to know that other people of good will believe differently than we do. I want them to be wise in their decisions, sure in their faith, and kind in their response to others. I don't want them to automatically dismiss everything that falls outside what they think. Political correctness is numbing and dumbing -- as is the "Christian correctness" of our local Christian school.
 
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Thorough But Broad
From: Kim in CA

One of the things I love about Sonlight is that it does not dwell overly long on any one thing, yet everything is covered so beautifully that we get a clear understanding of the subject. I don't like to spend too much time on one aspect of history unless my kids are really begging to know more; I find they are usually ready to move on. I really regret the times (before Sonlight) when I stayed too long on one time or place. There is so much to learn and time spent on details in one area mean you don't have that time for another area. My opinion is that a broad understanding is much more helpful and it has been easier for the kids to see God's overall plan and purposes.
 
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Why the Sonlight Approach Works Better than Textbooks
From: Sandra in So CA

This year, we are studying science with another family who uses BJU for everything. They requested that we use BJU for science, too. I had no problem with this, but I also bought the SL science books just for fun.

We're in Chapter 5 of the BJU 7th Grade science book. Though well-written for a text, we both find the it rather dry and somewhat dull, even though science is my son's favorite subject!

By contrast, when he asks for a BREAK from school, he grabs one of the SL science books and scoots to a quiet spot to devour it! Last night he talked nonstop for 20 minutes, telling his Dad all the interesting things he'd read in the first few chapters of It Couldn't Just Happen. His eyes lit up as he struggled to get the words out fast enough and share his excitement. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN WITH TEXTBOOKS!

My son and I were talking about this phenomenon today and we think we have it figured out. The text approach distills the information down to the least amount of detail necessary, and has the student repeat it over and over until it is memorized. You read it. You answer review questions. You answer chapter questions. You complete written exercises. You do experiments (the best part of the learning process, IMHO.) You study the text again. Then you take a test.

By contrast, the SL approach gives the student the information in much MORE detail than necessary. The process of reading through the detail reinforces the main concept without ad nauseum redundancy, gives the student a better UNDERSTANDING of the concept, and makes it more interesting. As a result, the student acquires a relationship with the information. It becomes part of him, in an enjoyable, mind-expanding process. He retains it because he has pondered it, relished it, understood it, and shared it with others!

I've always felt guilty because we didn't do written reviews, tests, or other repetitive exercises to be sure he got it. No more. He gets it so much better when he just reads something INTERESTING -- and every aspect of our Lord's creation can be interesting if it's presented well. This approach inspires my son while it encourages his curiosity, his creativity and his mastery of the subject matter.
 
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Strong in So Many Subjects
From: Wendy

Because you always have everything you need, down to the science supplies, you can concentrate on the learning part and not the administrative stuff.

But while this is a great reason to get Sonlight, it's by far not the only one. The content is wonderful. The books not only hold her interest, they hold mine (and this is 1st and 2nd grade mind you.) My daughter actually said, "Mom I think you're learning more than me!" because I'm always saying, "I didn't know that!"

I love that the science doesn't just focus on Christian beliefs, but tells us what the secular world believes and why this goes against what the Bible teaches. This gives real strength to their convictions because they can back them up with facts. I love the mission focus of a lot of the history and readers. And the language arts are just so complete, with dictation, creative writing, and public speaking. My daughter's creative writing skills have improved dramatically in the last year.

Although Sonlight requires much more parent participation (due to all the reading) than workbook oriented curriculum, this also means much more snuggling, laughter, discussions...in short, we are building a closer family. I think that's the best part.

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It's the Books

I agree with what everyone else has said AND we love Sonlight because of the books. My husband and I are enjoying books all over again (that we read as children and had almost forgotten). It is also great to have children reach for books to reread instead of complaining of boredom! The books are worth rereading, and my daughter gleans more each time she reads one.

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I Love It All
From: Julie B

We LOVE Sonlight. I love the fact that it is a literature based program. I love that I don't have to slog through dry text books and endless workpages while trying to make learning fun.

We love the books themselves and have found that owning them is even better than getting them on loan. We look through the books we've read and sigh with nostalgia remembering crackling fires, snuggly blankets and stories of intrigue and friendship from all over the world.

We love the way that SL weaves a love for all peoples of the earth so invisibly. We feel bonded to places we've never been and people we've never met.

We love the science books that have big pictures, interesting factoids, and do-able experiments. Ever hunted for a brad or a small bottle of iodine? They provide it all.

We love the creative writing program that is "reality" based...written by a published author/editor (John Holzman) not an educator. We enjoy the fact that the dictation assignments are already chosen and coordinated with what we read.

And I love the Internet neighborhood of homeschooling friends that I have made through the SL web site and forums. It is one curriculum that really offers support to its users and backs it up with lots of ways to connect to other moms.

The early years of SL are a slower pace and warm you up to the whole package. Hope you get to enjoy it as much as we have (and do!).

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They Did the Work for Me
From: Renee

We have two children who are 4 years apart. We began with SL last year for 2nd grade... I must say that I wasn't a package curriculum Mom before SL. We did an array based on the same philosophy of SL---great books and ambassadors for Jesus. Sooo much work for Mom. After considering it a luxury purchase for a hard time in our lives, I was hooked. They had already done the hard work of research for great books. The Instructor's Guides are more than wonderful. It saves me so much time. The only difficulty I struggle with is remembering to learn at our pace which is a little slower than the manual. AND John will tell you teach your child not the curriculum. I have no regrets or second thoughts. It is how we want to learn. AND the user's board here is a great support. I hope this helps you decide.

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Good Material, Easy to Use
From: Shirley

I was using the exact same things they do for language arts - only I had to make up my own lesson plans, pick my own readers/read-alouds, etc. I also liked the stuff they chose for science (especially 1st and 2nd - my kids LOVE the Magic School Bus). I really had not done any history, so I liked the fact that they use kid type books for the info. I like the missions emphasis. I did not choose to use either one of the math programs they selected, though. I like the fact that they provide the IG and lesson plans, but it's totally up to you as to how close you stick to it. I am learning and teaching my young children things I was never taught, not even in high school or college! So far, my kids are having a great time at school.

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Sonlight Teaches Thinking, Listens to Us
From: Rachel in TX

I don't know of another curriculum that promotes this kind of feedback [on the user forums]. John [of Sonlight] just again graciously took some suggestions to improve one aspect of the curriculum. Maybe other curriculums do that, but I don't know of any.

Also, SL promotes critical thinking skills that prepare our children to engage in meaningful and informed debate. This is different from just dumping into their brains what we want them to believe. This will take them far. Also, the books are SO interesting. They learn so much about life and people, and we share many of those moments because of reading together.

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What Do You NOT Like?

From: A Lurker
What I want to know is - what are the things you don't like about Sonlight? No curriculum is perfect. There must be things about it that you don't like. It just seems kinda weird to find something everyone is so happy about (other than the LORD).

From: Paula H
Most of the things people don't like about SL are covered in 31 Reasons NOT to Buy Sonlight. It does a very good job of filtering those who will and those who will not like the program. Or it gives a heads-up to someone who will like ALMOST everything about the program. e.g. you want to use SL but you want lots of hands-on activities as well, so you know you'll need to supplement.

From: ElaineB
I really believe that if you honestly go through the Reasons NOT to Buy Sonlight and still want to use it, then you will be happy with it. Of the people I come across, who conclude Sonlight is not for them after all, almost 100% of the time it is because they underestimated the importance of something on that list. So think carefully about those things and it will help you decide.

If you order after carefully considering the list, will you love everything about Sonlight? Probably not. But what I dislike might be something you will like.

From: Paula H
Why do we veterans have so few complaints about SL? Here's what I think. SL is "tweaking" its program every year. Sonlight listens very closely to our comments here on the forums and often makes changes to the program based on our feedback. That's why the IG's are now loose-leaf instead of bound. That's why SL carries Spelling Power. That's why they overhauled 7th Core to use History of US as its core books. That's why LA IG's now include Reader schedules. My point is: when there's something which many of us don't like, it usually gets changed.

Consider this: if you order a complete Core and don't like it, you can return it for a full refund even if you've used it, written in it, etc., up to Week 8. So for the people who do their research and choose SL but discover they don't like it, there's still an opportunity to back out.

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