We have seen the truth of Sonlight's claim that children learn history better when they learn it in the form of a story. Because of Sonlight's Readers and Read-Alouds, our kids have a better grasp and wider knowledge base of historical events at the end of middle school than their parents did at the end of college (due to our [non-Sonlight] textbook-style memorization of facts – facts that were soon forgotten or muddled because they weren't part of a story). Vashti (14) mentioned that some of her friends hate studying history. She said, 'If only they could learn history the Sonlight way, they'd love it like I do!' In her eigthth year of Sonlight, Vashti devours a biography from Core H that brings the Iron Curtain era to life.

Through the wonderful books included in Core D, we've been able to better understand the lives of the Navajo, Hopi and Anasazi people who lived on this land. We choose Sonlight because we want learning to be enjoyable and meaningful for our children. Sonlight has been an integral piece of our transition from the city to rural life on a reservation. Books such as the American Indian Prayer Guide and Walk the Worlds Rim have opened our eyes to the ways in which people survived here and the historical wounds that still affect some of them today. Seen here reading against a rock-and-petroglyphs backdrop, Annika and Isaak (11 and 8, Core D) and Mykah (5, P3/4 Multi-Subject) have been studying with Sonight three years.

I have structure and direction with Sonlight, so we capitalize on every learning moment. I often get pressured about my choice to homeschool. Thanks to Sonlight, I'm confident that I'm doing the right thing for my girls. I'm learning how to teach as well, which helps melt away the frustration and allows me to be a great teacher and mom. Through Sonlight, I've learned a better approach to phonics, and it has made a world of difference. What I love most is that I don't have to force my kids to learn. Hannah (5, Kindergarten Multi-Subject) and Gracie (2, Preschool Multi-Subject) love learning their letters and words outdoors.