Why not let me help you? I'm Sonia, Sonlight Curriculum's Internet Advisor. I can help you pick your entire curriculum tailored to your family. Let's go!
Sonlight approaches education so differently from classroom schools and, in fact, from so many homeschool programs, one of the hardest questions new customers face is figuring out what program they should use.
So how do you decide which program is right for you and your child?
First, pay attention to the fact that Sonlight's levels do not necessarily correspond with grade levels in classroom schools. For instance, if your child was in 3rd grade last year in a classroom school, that doesn't mean he should necessarily use a Sonlight Level 4 program this year.
Why?
Primarily because the content of our programs is appropriate for a wide range of ages. Therefore, your choice of program should be based more on the content you and your child are interested in studying than on the number we happen to have assigned to it.
If you would like some objective help in determining what general reading level your student is at, we recommend you use a Let's Go Learn online reading assessment. This assessment will determine your child's reading level, as well as his or her strengths and weaknesses in reading. Let's Go Learn provides a comprehensive evaluation in six areas of reading and includes activities and instructional recommendations to help your child improve where he or she needs it most. For more information, please see our full description of the Let's Go Learn reading assessment. (Please note that the Let's Go Learn reading assessment results will not tell you which level Sonlight Core and Language Arts programs are the best for you to use; it will, however, give you a level at which your student is reading.)
How to Choose the Right Language Arts Program
Once you've settled on the Core program you'd like to use, you'll want to choose the same level in Language Arts. (Note for Newcomer™ users: this selection is already made for you.) Many of the creative writing assignments in the Language Arts programs rely on content in the Core programs, so you'll get the most value out of Language Arts if it's paired with its identically numbered Core program.
One caveat: if your child is behind or ahead in Language Arts, you can still use a Language Arts program that doesn't match with the Core program you're using.
How to Choose the Right Science Program
To choose the right Science program, write your child's name in the row on the chart next to his age. Follow the row to the right and select a color/shade that represents the difficulty level that is appropriate for your child. Then go to the top of the columns to see what level Science programs match your selections. Then do as you did when you chose the appropriate Core Program: determine which subject(s) most suit your fancy and, if you have more than one child, determine which program(s) might best serve all of your children together. (Note: for Newcomer™ users this selection is already made for you.)
Make it easy on yourself... and your kids. Combine wherever possible.
How to Choose the Right Math Program
The Math programs are unique among the materials we carry in that each year of study builds on what was learned in the prior year. So it's important that you gauge your child's math skills before you select the right level for him. (Note: for Newcomer™ users a Horizons Math selection is already chosen for you.)
To help you place your child, we currently offer math placement tests for Singapore and Saxon Math on our web site. Just go to either or both of the links below to select the appropriate placement test for your child.
Use the results from these placement tests to select the math program that best meets your child's needs.
You can read detailed overviews of Horizons Math, Singapore Math, Saxon Math, and Miquon Math here on our site. Just use the list on the left-hand side to select the math program you're interested in.
How to Choose Electives
While Electives can sometimes seem unnecessary, they are, in fact, very important to a child's development. Those "extra" subjects — art, foreign language, music and so forth — really can make the difference between an average student and an outstanding student. (Note: for Newcomer™ users a selection of appropriate electives is already made for you.)
We recommend you choose at least one Elective per student per year. Choose an Elective your child is interested in to encourage him to take the initiative... and to become excited about learning.
Jump over to our Electives section to see what we offer.
Putting on the Finishing Touches
Once you've made all of your choices, you'll want to check for two things:
Required Resources--items you purchase from Sonlight only once but that are used in more than one every year of study. If you don't own them yet, you'll need to buy them. View list of Required Resources.
Consumable Items--items that will be used up by your child during the school year. That means you'll want extra copies of any consumable items if you're teaching more than one student. The easiest place to find a list of these items is at the bottom of each individual Newcomer™ Package. Just use the list on the left-hand side and click on the level you're interested in.
Questions?
Need help with curriculum decisions?
Receive free, personal advice from an experienced homeschooler. One of our Curriculum Advisors - veteran Sonlight users who are specially trained to assist you with your curriculum needs - is available to help answer your unique questions, offer encouragement, and maybe even a word of prayer.Call 303-730-6292 and press option 3 to leave a voice mail, and we'll call you back within 1 business day. You can also e-mail us your question to . Don't hesitate to get the answers you need to start enjoying the advantages of Sonlight Curriculum literature-rich homeschooling!
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If you still have questions, please know that there are hundreds of experienced homeschoolers who would love to help you at the Sonlight® Forums.
And you can always send us an email at main@sonlight.com. We'll be delighted to help you or to put you in touch with one of our Curriculum Advisors (homeschooling moms just like you, who have had many more years of experience). They, too, are eager to give you personalized answers to any questions you may still have.
As always, we want you to know we look forward to serving you!
