Sonlight K yea or nay?

Posted by Ellen on May 3, 2008 at 11:02pm

Good Evening Everyone-

I am planning for fall and starting to look at programs. I have an
energetic 5 year old that is reading at third Grade level with late
1st grade comprehension.

This year we have been involved in several co-ops music, art, drama, movement (I say Dance...Dad says movement LOL!) and Homeschool PE. Did I mention we were busy?

I am looking at possible one-day academy locally. But I have been looking at several programs Sonlight, K12, Time4learning and Moving Beyond The Page.

I really like Sonlight because they have art, books, and a schedule.
The most time consuming part of this first year has been planning
things to study.

Any recommendations?

Peace
Ellen
http://outsidethesandbox.blogspot.com/

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by zemyrah on May 8, 2008 at 11:57pm: Peace Sistren,
I would like to know more about this Sonlight program you speak of...I have been homeschooling for quite sometime but have never gotten together with other homeschoolers. Have not met any in my area yet...Time4learning and Moving Beyond...what do these programs involved? How do you recommend I find some of these programs in my area?

Thanks for reading...

peace and wisdom,
zemyrah; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Honey on May 19, 2008 at 3:37pm: Zemyrah,
I have used Time4Learning and my children LOVE it! And it doesn't cost alot either. I used it for my oldest 2, which are 4th and 7th grade.
Honey; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ellen on June 9, 2008 at 12:19am: Zemyrah

Time4learning is webbased, the other two programs you have to order via their websites.

Peace,
Ellen; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carletta on May 13, 2008 at 1:02pm: Ellen, whether or not SL will work really depends on how you want to teach your child. The programs you have listed are all very different.

Time 4 Learning is computer based.

K12 is computer/traditional school at home, and if you go through the Texas virtual school you will be accoutable to the school district and that may not give you as much flexibility/freedom as the other options.

SL is a great program if you enjoy sitting down and reading to your son. You say he is energetic. Does he enjoy being read to?

The only downside of SL K that I have heard is that it does not involve many hands on activities. There is a similar program - Winter Promise, that is literature based, but also includes hands on activities.

Here's the link to that one http://www.winterpromise.com

All in all though, SL is a great program if that's the way you want to teach and if it works well with the way your child learns. We have read several of the K books and enjoyed them.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ellen on June 9, 2008 at 12:17am: Carletta
As always you are a great source of information. I took a look at Winter Promise but it wasn't a good fit.

So I took the advice of a veteran homeschool friend and purchased Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing The Right Curriculum And Approach For Your Child's Learning Style.

It was eye opening I finished in one day. I could not have done that if it were not for the hubby doing all the kid and house work, so I could concentrate on this only. Plus he was motivated by his need for me to stop bidding on every curriculum on EBay. ;-)

So we have targeted FIAR and Progress in Mathematics along with HWOT for the fall.

Now I feel more in control and less frantic about what to teach. I have a plan, which is structured yet flexible.

I have forwarded you Successful Homeschool to lots of friends for advice. Thanks again for the help.

Peace,
Ellen; ▶ Reply to This