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MommyD
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| Posted: March 24 2009 at 1:33pm | IP Logged
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I'm struggling with my plan for next year. I was all set to order Sonlight 1+2 for my oldest 2 kids. I want their education to be literature based and I have to have something I didn't plan out (I'm not great at planning and I really stink at following my own plan). I also want to buy the whole thing and have it sitting waiting for me rather then me going out to find stuff all of the time.
I really thought SL would be a good fit but now I'm doubting. I've looked at the SL Catholic Yahoo group and there seems to be so much that I'll need to drop or add to, it almost doesn't seem worth it. The more I look at it, the more protestant it seems to me.
So, how protestant is SL? Is there anything out there that meets my qualifications??
MommyD
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Mackfam
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| Posted: March 24 2009 at 1:44pm | IP Logged
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Mother of Divine Grace - literature based, classical content, Catholic
Kolbe Academy - literature based, Ignatian/classical in content, Catholic
HTH. 
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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folklaur
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| Posted: March 24 2009 at 2:59pm | IP Logged
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Sonlight really, really isn't hard to tweak to make "more" Catholic. Really.
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: March 24 2009 at 8:02pm | IP Logged
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I didn't have a problem with Sonlight either. When you say literature based, I don't really think of Kolbe or MODG, although compared with Seton they are.
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: March 24 2009 at 9:46pm | IP Logged
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I just returned to Sonlight. We really missed it.
We are doing SL 3. We had done PreK, K and SL1 with no problems using the Catholic Yahoo group as a reference. There wasn't a great deal of substitution in those levels and I am finding that SL3 doesn't require a lot of substitution either. Don't let all the info there psych you out.
I do need to say that I finally figured out how to make SL work for me and that has made it easier.
We use Singapore Math-easy, not on the teacher notes for a core and no religion. Just plugging along...
LA-we are not using Sonlight for this. Really for this year we are only doing Winston Grammar and the history papers.
History--we have Core 3 and I totally skip-I don't even look at-- the two top subject areas in the TM. I know one of them is bible and the other...hmmm..really no idea. I follow the history, readers and read aloud schedule only. We do the mapwork and timeline work for the past week(or two )on Fridays. It has been fun. I really haven't found anything to throw out yet.
We have started using Pioneers and Patriots following the schedule on the Yahoo group for this core. We do enjoy this reading and it is usually short and gives a little more Catholic feel to the core. However, I could, if it gets too much, toss it.
We do our own thing for "bible" and such. It has been a real joy to be back. Ds loves history and we are having fun again!
Anne
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: March 25 2009 at 10:29am | IP Logged
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I've used SL for p3/4 through part of core 300 (we skipped over core 200, though). I've been using parts of it since 1999, I think.
Best thing about it is that its all planned out. Worst thing about it...is its all planned out! Seriously, the hardest part is keeping up with the schedules. They can be a blessing and they can be a nightmare. If you have lots of outside activities, it may not be a good fit (or you may have to seriously tweak).
Other good things: great literature and very little sugar coating of history. That last part is why I first turned to SL.
Some levels of SL take more work to Catholicize than others. American history is very easy to work with because you just add in saints/franciscans on the west/jesuits in canada and the east. World history is harder because of the middle ages and the reformation. I wouldn't start with 1+2, if you can avoid it. Honestly, I found Hillyer's not very interesting, and it moves *very* quickly. Also, several of the read alouds just didn't click with any of my kids.
MommyD, I don't see your kids ages listed above. Level K is awesome and can easily be used with a child up through about age 7, I think (just skipping one or two books and adding in Catholic saint stories instead). Even SL K science is meaty and wonderful. Its one of my favorite years, if you think your kids might not be old enough for core 3, which is my second favorite. If you really want to do some world history, maybe do core 1, which I *think* stops before the middle ages? The read alouds are great in this level, too.
Feel free to pm me if you have more specific questions.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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folklaur
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| Posted: March 25 2009 at 11:56am | IP Logged
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Bookswithtea wrote:
I wouldn't start with 1+2, if you can avoid it. Honestly, I found Hillyer's not very interesting, and it moves *very* quickly. Also, several of the read alouds just didn't click with any of my kids.
MommyD, I don't see your kids ages listed above. Level K is awesome and can easily be used with a child up through about age 7, I think (just skipping one or two books and adding in Catholic saint stories instead). Even SL K science is meaty and wonderful. Its one of my favorite years, if you think your kids might not be old enough for core 3, which is my second favorite. If you really want to do some world history, maybe do core 1, which I *think* stops before the middle ages? The read alouds are great in this level, too.
Feel free to pm me if you have more specific questions. |
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Usually, I am on the same page as Books, but this is one instance where we had a different experience.
We love CHOW .
Also, I think Core 1 was so much better - and more age appropriate than Core K. We liked Core 1....K, not so much.
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Bookswithtea
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cactus mouse wrote:
Usually, I am on the same page as Books, but this is one instance where we had a different experience.
We love CHOW .
Also, I think Core 1 was so much better - and more age appropriate than Core K. We liked Core 1....K, not so much. |
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Cactus Mouse has been with SL as long or longer than I have (and I really respect her opinion, as well). So there you have it...SLers don't always agree on the programs, either. 
That is two votes for core 1, though??? Maybe retake a look at that? I read aloud from the core 1 read alouds to two girls, aged 7 and 10, 2 yrs ago (we did FIAR but used core 1 for our read alouds that year) and both girls really enjoyed the books. So they are definitely not exclusively a 1st grade set of books.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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Natalia
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| Posted: March 25 2009 at 4:45pm | IP Logged
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I did core 1 too, when they weren't called Cores. It was the first SL we ever did and we loved it. I don't remember what they have changed but we liked CHW and we loved the Usborne book Times Traveler (do they still use that?). It was fun to use and not difficult to catholize- just skip the missionary stories (except the one about Gladys, I don't remember her last name, a missionary to China)and add some Catholic missionary stories. Also we skipped the Bible section and add our own Catechism lessons.
I never did K but read a lot of the books with my kids and they also loved them. So I think you will be fine with either.
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Natalia
http://pannuestrodecadadia.blogspot.com
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Alcat
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I have used SLK and really enjoyed it. I will use it for my K and 7yrold next year.
I just bought the TM for SL4 Language Arts for my 5th grader... generally I know most SL folks don't like the Language Arts program, but this child needs more writing and SL has it more laid out for me (who is teaching 4  people). I am enjoying the readers and adding to some of it as well.... Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Alison
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mom to ds15, dd13 ,ds11, dd8, dd6, ds4, & dd18mos
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MommyD
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Sorry, I should have added that my kids will be in 3rd and 2nd next year (I'll also have a 3 year old and a new baby in Oct.). We've spent this year studying the states and highlighting big stuff in American history. Last year we used Story of the World 1 so I thought a review of world history would work great for next year??
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folklaur
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Combined cores move quickly. And 3rd grade is not too old for core 1, if you wanted to go slower and do 1 and 2 seperately. Really.
My only concern is, if you were to continue with SL, and move on to Core 3, your 2nd grader would be just a 3rd grader for Core 3. I think that is young for Core 3. I think 10/11 is about the perfect age for Core 3, and I would never even attept it with one under 9, but that is just me. There is a BIG jump from K/1/2 to 3. That is when all the readers, etc start to tie in to the history. The workload is totally different, imo. (That is when Sonlight really comes into its own, once you hit Core 3 and everything is being tied together.)
So. That would be my reason for picking 1 over 1+2.
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folklaur
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| Posted: March 25 2009 at 5:34pm | IP Logged
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Bookswithtea wrote:
| Cactus Mouse has been with SL as long or longer than I have (and I really respect her opinion, as well). |
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aaaawwwwww,
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: March 25 2009 at 5:50pm | IP Logged
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cactus mouse wrote:
Combined cores move quickly. And 3rd grade is not too old for core 1, if you wanted to go slower and do 1 and 2 seperately. Really.
My only concern is, if you were to continue with SL, and move on to Core 3, your 2nd grader would be just a 3rd grader for Core 3. I think that is young for Core 3. I think 10/11 is about the perfect age for Core 3, and I would never even attept it with one under 9, but that is just me. There is a BIG jump from K/1/2 to 3. That is when all the readers, etc start to tie in to the history. The workload is totally different, imo. (That is when Sonlight really comes into its own, once you hit Core 3 and everything is being tied together.)
So. That would be my reason for picking 1 over 1+2.
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I completely agree with this. The jump to 3 is *huge*. I did with 9 yr olds twice, but it required A LOT of me, the student has to really like history, and they were very strong readers (breezing through the 3advanced set). The first one didn't like history much and got nothing out of it.  The second one loved history and got a ton out of it, but it was really hard to do it with the littles around. I also routinely cut about 30% of every core to finish within a year.  I wouldn't use core 3 with my up and coming 10 yr old/4th grader, this fall. Not till 11.
My vote is for 1!  The stories are great, and while I don't like CHOW, I do like Time Travelers a lot, and most of the rest of the books as well. And if you are going to try to SL as a first timer, its a good idea to be a bit gentle about it and start with a core a bit lower on the scale. Like I said, my 10 yr old 5th grader enjoyed the read alouds, so I don't think you need to worry about your 3rd grader being bored.
hope this helps!
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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mom2mpr
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cactus mouse wrote:
Combined cores move quickly. And 3rd grade is not too old for core 1, if you wanted to go slower and do 1 and 2 seperately. Really.
My only concern is, if you were to continue with SL, and move on to Core 3, your 2nd grader would be just a 3rd grader for Core 3. I think that is young for Core 3. I think 10/11 is about the perfect age for Core 3, and I would never even attept it with one under 9, but that is just me. There is a BIG jump from K/1/2 to 3. That is when all the readers, etc start to tie in to the history. The workload is totally different, imo. (That is when Sonlight really comes into its own, once you hit Core 3 and everything is being tied together.)
So. That would be my reason for picking 1 over 1+2.
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I totally agree. We skipped core 2(ds just wasn't ready after core 1--we ended up doing our own thing for 2-3 years with LLATL, SOTW, etc.--and missed SL) and now, at 11, ds is ready for, and enjoying core 3.
And kids are different. Dd who is 6 is in no way ready for SL K. So, I am winging the preK's with SL and working on teaching her to read. It is fun to repeat books that we read a few months ago.
Just wanted to say that was great advice and input.
Anne
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MommyD
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Hmmm.....
What readers would I use? My DS8 is a great reader; I had planned for him to use Readers 2 Advanced. DD6 is a motivated, struggling reader and I was planning on her using 2 Beginner, which I think she'll be ready for in the fall.
If I went with Core 1 next year (DS 3rd, DD 2nd), Core 2 next (DS 4th, DD 3rd), what readers would they use? Don't the readers start to tie in to History in Core 3 so we couldn't do Core 3 readers until we were in Core 3, right ??
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folklaur
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Okay. I am going on the current catalog here, BUT the new one will be out on April 1st. So, this is assuming they will not be renameing and rearanging their LA sections again.
Core 3 has regular readers, and advanced readers - which is really just more books and a faster pace. So, yes, for 3, there would be the same reader set (with possible extras if you were to use advanced for your older students.)
for ds8 - could you use 2 Intermediate this year and 2 Advanced next year? I have the old 2 Intermediate from about 2 years ago - which was called Grades 3 - 5 at that time (this was the first year with the 'new' LA program I think.) There was a lot in there. (It is very important to repeat to yourself often that the numbers in SL are not grades - see how fluid it is anyway? What is now "2 Intermediate" was also the same for up to grade 5. The LA's are full.)
dd6 is harder (I have my own dd6, so I know). Once it clicks they can just take off! But....we are still in the "c'mon! Click!" phase here. But I have to be honest, I am not very concerned about a 6yo doing LA anyway. Regular Readers 1 or Readers 2 for this year, then 2 or 2 intermediate for next, would be fine, wouldn't it? The books for LA are not really supposed to be challenging at this age. They should be at level or even a little easy. Let the read alouds, or their free reading, be where they are challenged.
Of course, this is all just my opinion.
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Erin
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Well like Mommy D, I'm looking too, I'm tired of planning.
What do you think of Sonlight for highschoolers?
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Erin
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folklaur
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Erin wrote:
Well like Mommy D, I'm looking too, I'm tired of planning.
What do you think of Sonlight for highschoolers? |
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In my opinion, it is great for high school, with the exception of Core 400, which is American Gov't, which I think takes a much-too-much Evangelical Protestant Worldview (there is a word for it but I can't remember it right at this moment....)
Core 100 is a thorough overview of American History
Core 300 is 20th Century World History. This is a full and heavy core, but very, very good.
I think core 6 is great for 8th grade....which means core 7 in 9th. Or Alt-7 - giving the World History high school credit.
Now - many people - both Protestant and Catholic shy away from Core 200. However, we loved it, the literature in that core is awesome. I think it would be easy to use the Lit from 200, and sub in Gov't and Economics from another source (CHC? MODG?) Another option is to do Core 200 and use another spine - possibly something from Catholic Textbook Project like "A Light to the Nations" or, possibly even better, Didache's Textbook, "The History of the Church."
so:
9th - alt-7 (or Core 7, after Core 6 in 8th)
10th - 100
11th - 200
12th - 300
is kind of what I am looking at for mine when they get older. Of course, by then, I could have a bunch of other choices and options, but I know that is a solid plan in any case.
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Elizabeth
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I think that Sonlight for high school with Didache is topnotch. It's literature-based and well planned. It's my plan for my next bunch to be highschoolers. I used almost all the Sonlight booklists, with my own spin for my first child. It was too academic for my second child. I'll add Catholic saints' biographies and classics (like Chesterton), but pretty much use Sonlight for the next bunch. We'll start highschool with Patrick next fall and then have a new highschooler every two years for a long while. I've been well-pleased with doing lab sciences at the community college for dual enrollment credit, so I'll not use Apologia (I think that's what Sonlight uses). And I'll use Teaching Textbooks for math. I think they all need the high school level IEW...
..being interrupted by child who will be high school class of 2026 ( or thereabouts)...
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Looking for Catholic, lit. based, boxed
