Instructor's Guide Update Chart

Enhancements and Improvements to
Sonlight Curriculum Instructor's Guides
1997 to Present

 

Year

Core

LA

Science

2014
Core E updated with the rewritten Landmark History of the American People Volume 2 and the Children's Encyclopedia of American History.    
NEW high school history course: World History and Worldview Studies.    

2013
Core P4/5 updated with the book 101 Favorite Stories from the Bible. Language Arts H revised and redesigned to include Dictation, Writing Mechanics, writing activities and Activity Sheets. Included in Core H.  
Cores D and D+E updated with the newly rewritten Landmark History of the American Peoples (now in two volumes) and the Children's Encyclopedia of American History. Language Arts W revised and now included in the Core W Instructor's Guide.  
Core F updated with the book Case for Kids.    
Core G updated with Greek Myths.    
Cores H and W updated with several new titles and completely revised and redesigned to match Cores A-G.    
Cores 100-400 updated and redesigned to be mix-and-matched with a History/Bible course and Literature/Language Arts course for each Core.    
130 Literature updated with several new titles.    
230 Literature updated with the book The Hawk and the Dove Trilogy.    
430 Literature updated with several new titles.    
420 updated with several new titles. Now 18 week American Government/Civics program, to be combined with Sonlight's Economics.    
Psychology Workbook and Diary updated with a daily schedule.    

2012
Core Levels A-G: All of Sonlight's Core programs for Levels A-G were completely revised and redesigned this year. Each level features a new booklist (with many new titles). Each Instructor's Guide has been reorganized so the study guide notes are located behind the weekly schedules. New laminated color maps serve as answer keys. The additional Bible materials are now included in the Core packages. Language Arts is included in Cores D-G. Language Arts K - Language Arts 4-5 edited and rewritten. Reader Study Guide content included in the Language Arts Instructor's Guide. Science A-G Notes, activities, and Activity Sheet Questions edited.
Core P3/4 updated with Family-Time Bible in Pictures. Language Arts D - G edited, rewritten, and included with Core.  
Core 200 updated with The Annotated Pride and Prejudice; Pontius Pilate; The Outlaws of Sherwood.    

2011
Core K-Alt 7 titles changed to alphabetic labeling. Language Arts titles changed to alphabetic labeling. Science K-6 titles changed to alphabetic labeling.
Core E updated with a new book: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler moved from Core 100. Rules of the Road removed. Language Arts D optional workbooks changed. Removed MCP Word Study D and Wordly Wise C. Added Wordly Wise 3000 Book 3. Science G updated with a new book: What's Science All About?. Removed Book of Science.
Core 100 updated with new titles: Rules of the Road moved from Core E; Before Columbus, The Boy's War, Freedom Walkers, The Great Little Madison, Sacajawea, Shh! We're Writing the Constitution, The Yanks are Coming, Elijah of Buxton, Guests, Keeping Score, My Heart Lies South, Their Eyes Were Watching God, They Loved to Laugh. Removed: After the Dancing Days, Blue Willow, A Gathering of Days, The Green Book, Nothing to Fear, Red Badge of Courage, Sounder, Christy, Streams to the River, River to the Sea, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler moved to Core E.    
Core 530 updated with a new translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and an update to the Sound and Sense Answer Key to match the 13th edition of the book.    
Cores 100-530 updated with a Student Guide which is identical to the Instructor's Guide (Parent Guide) but without answers in the Study Guides or on the map pages.    
Psychology Workbook/diary updated to match the new text edition.    
NEW high school worldview course: What Good is Christianity? Evaluating its Historical Record.    

2010
Core P4/5 now includes developmental activities. Level 2: Advanced "Reading with Longer Chapter Books" updated with new books: The King's Equal, The Children of Noisy Village Science C updated with a new book: Dinosaurs Unleashed
Core A updated with a new book: The Arnold Lobel Book of Mother Goose   Science H and above: All Schedule Plus now include schedule for CD-ROM version and Companion Multimedia CD for use with either the CD-ROM or Textbook packages.
Core C and Core B+C updated with new poetry books: A Poke in the I, Cornstalks: A Bushel of Poems    
Core H updated with new books: Painless Poetry (previously in Core D), The Ravenmaster's Secret, Out of Many Waters    
Binder and Tabs no longer included in Core packages.    

2009
Core P 4/5 –W: Redesigned Schedule pages and Study Guides to make the Instructor's Guides easier to navigate and read. Levels K-6: Re-evaluated every assignment to ensure clarity and ease of use. Added more parent tools, explanations, and examples of completed assignments to reinforce expectations. Levels A-G: All of Sonlight's Science programs for Levels K-6 were completely revised and redesigned this year. Each level features a new booklist (with many new titles) including a biography for each level, new editions that contain Internet Links, and more multimedia materials, like DVDs. Each Instructor's Guide also contains notes about controversial issues, new redesigned Activity Sheets, and new Optional hands-on Activities.
Core P4/5 updated with new books: Uncle Wiggily's Storybook; The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit.
Core A updated with new books: I Heard Good News; The Usborne Internet-Linked Children's Encyclopedia
Core E updated with new books: Shoes for Everyone; Simon Bolivar: The Liberator  
Core 300 Literature completely upgraded! New books: God Spoke Tibetan; There's a Sheep in My Bathtub; To Destroy You is No Loss; The Wave; The Tempest; The Wednesday Wars; Hope Was Here; My Father's Daughter; Robert Frost's Poems. The Instructor's Guide includes new Notes for each book, with sample answers for the questions and revamped Creative Writing assignments.  
New Psychology course for high school students, including an Interactive Workbook and Diary to navigate Psychology from a Christian perspective.    

2008
Core P 3/4 new Core for the 2008 season; includes Parent's Companion. Level 1: "Beginning to Read" The I Can Read It! series updated with new text and color illustrations. Science D: Updated with new books: The Usborne Internet-Linked First Encyclopedia of Seas and Oceans and Real Science E Kids, Biology 1.
Core P 4/5 Updated with new books: Family Bible; Is a Blue Whale the biggest thing there is?; What's Smaller than a Pygmy Shrew?; How do you lift a Lion?; How to dig a hole to the other side of the World? Level 2: 2 Regular "Reading with Easy Readers"; 2 Intermediate "Reading with Short Chapter Books"; 2 Advanced "Reading with Longer Chapter Books" revised daily activities. Science F: Updated with new books: The Boy's Body Book (for boys); The Care and Keeping of You (for girls).
Core E Updated with new books: Rules of the Road; The World Wars Levels 3-6: Revised 4-Day Readers Schedule that includes all of the 5-day Reader books. Science G: Updated with new book: Evolution: The Grand Experiment.
Core F Updated with new book: David Livingstone.   Exploring Creation with General Science: Newly released 2nd edition of this book covers science in general, including a brief history of science; the scientific method; how to analyze and interpret experiments; cells; classification; the human body; and more. Schedule Plus for this product has been updated.
Eastern Hemisphere Explorer: Completely revised to allow for more student-lead exploration and more fascinating details for each country. Printed in color. Schedule included in the Core F Instructor's Guide.   New Schedule Plus for AP Biology science course.
One Year World History, previously called Alt 6 and Alt 7, is renamed W    
Core 300 Instructor's Guide History Study Guide and schedule were completely rewritten to include the new text, The Visual History of the Modern World, with new insights, questions, and answers.    
New Career Planning Course for high school students, including our College and Career Planning Guide.    
New Economics Course for high school students, including our Schedule and Notes for Economics.    

2007
Eastern Hemisphere Explorer: Updated sections on the Middle East and Africa to match the new 2007 articles in World Book. Levels K-6: All of Sonlight's Language Arts programs for Levels K-6 were completely revised and redesigned this year. Each new Instructor's Guide features a revamped writing program, a new, lighter approach to grammar instruction, redesigned Activity Sheets, and more! Each new program uses an easy-to-teach, fun-to-use approach that parents and students alike will enjoy. Our new creative writing assignments will take the mystery out of how to teach writing and provide students with many challenging, creative tasks. In particular, new Story-Starter Picture assignments will test the limits of your children's imaginations.  Exploring Creation with Physical Science: Newly released 2nd edition of this book covers earth science, introductory chemistry, and introductory physics. Schedule Plus for this product has been updated.
Core 100: Bible package updated with 4 new books: 1) God’s Will, God’s Best  2) Why Pray  3) Evidence for Jesus; and  4) The Bible Jesus Read.    
Core 300: 20th Century Day By Day book was replaced with a CD-ROM version.

2006
Core 100 Instructor's Guide updated to include answer
key sets for study guides. Answers removed from the
study guides. Literary Analysis added.		 Student Activity Sheets for Language Arts 3 upgraded
to lighten the load and spread out the introduction of
new concepts.		 Discover and Do Volume 3 released.
New customizable Reader packs created for K-2 which
includes Reader Study Guides.		 4-day option removed from Language Arts K and
Language Arts 2 Advanced .		  
Core A Instructor's Guide redesigned and updated. Language Arts 2 Advanced Student Activity Sheets
created for new books. New schedule created to
accommodate new book titles
  Language Arts 240 schedule created for optional
workbooks. Available online only.

2005
Created a new Level 2 Intermediate Reader
package with a schedule, as well as dictation,
phonics, and creative expression
assignments.		 Creative writing assignments were edited and revised, including adding new examples. Discover and Do Volume 2 video released. Scheduled in 1 so you can watch Professor Justin perform each experiment before you try them.
New 7th World History program centered
around Story of the World, Vol 3 & 4 . This is
part 2 of a 2 year study.		 All LA Activity Sheets for all levels were thoroughly edited and proofread to ensure accuracy. Added Schedule Plus guide for Physics science course.
American History In-Depth , previously named
HCG, is renamed 100-01		 Activity sheets edited to streamline and simplify instruction.
 
History of God's Kingdom , previously named 8TB, is renamed 200-01 Material from previous 8TL was incorporated into 200-01 Core guide.
Made book changes and structural changes to level 200, including removing the boy/girl designations, adding literary analysis, and integrating the creative writing assignments with the reading. This guide was previously published as 8TB. Created new Grammar Guide with expanded instruction and examples of all grammar concepts taught.
20th-Century World History , previously named 9TB, is renamed 300-01 Added a new "Before You Begin" introduction to every guide to help better prepare customers for the course.
Civics/American Government , previously named ATB, is renamed 400-01 Dictation assignments were realigned to better fit with the reader schedules.
Survey of British Literature, previously named BLT, is renamed 530 Grammar assignments within the guides were simplified and streamlined to making completing the assignment easier.
Created answer key sets for high school
guides. Removed the answer from the study
guide		  
Preschool Guide revised and combined into
a single book.
Updated Eastern Hemisphere Explorer for
new version of World Book encyclopedia.
Revised the Table of Contents to make
sections easier to find.
New samples added to the website to
explain schedule page symbols.

2004
Preschool Guide extensively revised: added songs and activities, bound in colorful, illustrated, easy to hold booklet. 6TL developed to coordinate with our new World History, Part 1 course. The retitled 6aTL coordinates with One Year Condensed World History course. Discover and Do video released. Scheduled in A so you can watch Professor Ike perform each experiment before you try them.
New 6th World History program centered around Story of the World, Vol 1 & 2 . This is part 1 of a 2 year study. Part 2 will release in 2005. Creative writing assignments were revised to offer optional assignments using interactive computer technology for student practice and evaluation. (4th-8th) 3rd incorporates Usborne's new internet linked version of Mysteries and Marvels of Nature . Added biography of Rachel Carson, marine biologist/ecologist.
One Year World History for middle grades continues, based on Children's History of the World. Research Paper packet with comprehensive instructions incorporated into Appendix for 3rd and higher. Answer Key included for computer unit in 5th.
Complete map keys for all geography assignments, K-10. Keys follow each book for easy reference. Expanded Glossary of Grammar Rules for 2nd and higher. Added Schedule Plus guides for 7th-9th Apologia science courses.
Create-a-Calendar added to K. This interactive teaching tool is designed to keep your child engaged regularly as he learns calendar features. Added Certificate of Completion to recognized achievement for your child at the end of each course.  
Sing the Word: God Our Provider added to 2nd. Continues the series of songs on CD to reinforce this year's memory verses.  
Eastern Hemisphere Explorer schedule in 5th adds a variety of fun and interactive activities to reinforce the World Book reading daily.
8th-10th guides reorganized. Notes arranged into Study Guides for each book, complete with commentary, questions and
Symbols on appropriate assignment in schedule pages alert you to timeline and map assignments. New timeline figure sets and expanded and improved with beautiful illustrations.
Added Certificate of Completion to recognized achievement for your child at the end of each course.

2003
Changed title of "Basic" to "Core" to better describe this package as 'core' or central to necessary subjects for each year. Released How to Write a Research Paper in appendix, plus for sale as a separate research paper packet Activity sheets redesigned with lots of engaging new illustrations; more age-appropriate activities
grade numbers removed from Igs so that the Title/Subject matter is emphasized rather than the "grade" Coordinated Research Paper assignments between Core and LA (3rd - 10th) full Answer Keys mirror student activity sheets
Answers to Markable map assignments keyed to set of teacher maps included in the K-6 Guides book report samples added to 1st - 6th Guides 4- and 5-Day schedules separated and printed back-to-back
questions for all readers completed; artwork added to illustrate   new computer unit offered in 5th
time line information checked and revised with new Time Line Figures and very clearly designated  
Released Part 2 of the 2 year Intro to World History program (Core B and 2)
answers provided for vocab, cultural literacy, and research questions for all Core IGs
new and improved timeline assignments and figure sets

2002
week day indications (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) changed to Day 1, Day 2, etc week day indications (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) changed to Day 1, Day 2, etc week day indications (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) changed to Day 1, Day 2, etc
I Can Read it! Revised And reformatted into a 4 volume, small format set. Three volumes of controlled-vocabulary stories, one volume of word lists to teach spelling patterns. new I Can Read It! books offered (4 vol set)  
Basic "1" becomes first half of a two year World History program Age appropriate learning activities with complete instructions and answer keys
History of God's Kingdom program for high school completely re-written 4- and 5-Day schedules printed back-to-back; arranged to enable you to file your preference prominently
4- and 5-Day schedules printed back-to-back; arranged to enable you to file your preference prominently notes moved off schedule pages to notes pages following each schedule page
notes moved off schedule pages to history, reader, read-aloud study guides; divider tabs for each are now included Regular and Advanced reader programs K-3 offered as separate Guides
new questions, plus setting and date added to the Guide for each reader (2-advanced-8th) binders included with all K-6 LA Guides for use with student activity sheets
all K-6 readers now have cultural literacy, comprehension, narration, geography, nature studies, and other similar questions handwriting schedule open so you can choose your own program, schedules posted on our website
vocabulary development exercises moved from LA Guide to Basic/Core Guide offered a new LA program to coordinate with One-Year American History Basic/Core (Alt 4)
provided learning objectives for all History books check off boxes added for recording completion of assignments

2001
"Teacher Manuals" renamed "Instructor's Guides" to better reflect the focus and extensive tools available "Teacher Manuals" renamed "Instructor's Guides" to better reflect the focus and extensive tools available "Teacher Manuals" renamed "Instructor's Guides" to better reflect the focus and extensive tools available
New 4- and 5-Day Schedules; schedule pages in cleaner format so easier to read and with room for you to note progress massive IG upgrade, expansion, and revision-including Readers schedule added spelling rules and work lists added, full schedule of Creative Writing exercises New 4- and 5-Day Schedules; schedule pages in cleaner format with room for you to note progress
Introducing Sonlight booklet released New 4- and 5-Day Schedules; schedule pages in cleaner format so easier to read and with room for you to note progress separate student activity sheets with answers in notes section added
  separate student activity sheets and complete answer keys with thorough instructions added Shopping/Planning List added to help you anticipate common items you will supply for experiments the following week
glossary of phonics rules and answer keys w/ instructions added  

2000
Major Teacher's Manuals upgrades and innovations, including Read-Aloud comprehension, narration, cultural literacy and geography questions add; booklists added to all Cores Major Teacher's Manuals upgrades including phonics instruction directly related to dictation assignments  
Civics/American Government program for high school introduced added Student Activity Sheets K-2 & Answer Keys w/Instructions
K-2 in-depth discovery questions for readalouds added added book lists to all K-7; new reader schedules
self-stick label color-matched to Basic/Core manual name tag to label your books for easy reference vocabulary development based on readalouds added to K-2

1999
180-day and week designations added to allow you full flexibility in defining your own schedule 180-day and week designations added to allow you full flexibility in defining your own schedule 180-day and week designations added to allow more flexibility to match your schedule
I Can Read It! revised; The Latin Road to English Grammar offered High School Science expanded ; Lyrical Life Science offered
"Young Earth, Old Earth" article addressing various theories of Creation included    

1998
Unreached Peoples video offered; 1998 World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia offered; Draw Today program offered; Audio Memory Kits (Grammar Songs Kit and Geography Songs Kit ) offered Sonlight Curriculum Phonics (I Can Read It!) introduced  

1997
"Complete Curricula" changed to "Basic Curricula" because we now offer each subject (History, LA, Science, Math) separately to add more flexibility for you. LA Guide offered in separate three hole punched, shrink-wrapped format so you can mix-and-match all subjects and levels Science Guide offered in separate three hole punched, shrink-wrapped format so you can mix-and-match all subjects and levels
Basic Bible, History, and Readers schedule now formatted directly on the record/schedule sheets    
Stiff dividers included to separate the 36 weeks in all manuals Stiff dividers included to separate the 36 weeks in all manuals Stiff dividers included to separate the 36 weeks in all manuals
Each week printed on its own sheet to facilitate intermixing the schedules for all your children in all subjects by week; Each week printed on its own sheet to facilitate intermixing the schedules for all your children in all subjects by week; Each week printed on its own sheet to facilitate intermixing the schedules for all your children in all subjects by week;
unique color per subject (Basic/Core = white) so that you can easily distinguish the different subjects unique color per subject (Basic/Core = white) so that you can easily distinguish the different subjects unique color per subject (Basic/Core = white) so that you can easily distinguish the different subjects
All pages foot noted with grade, week and page number All pages foot noted with grade, week and page number All pages foot noted with grade, week and page number
Sonlight Curriculum Time Line developed; figures integrated into Basic/Core curricula (K-6) to provide even more context for your student; spiral bound time-line book offered    
20th Century World History program for high school offered