Sonlight Curriculum Review: A Second-Generation Homeschool Mom’s Take

Choosing the right homeschool curriculum is a pivotal decision for any family. It’s not just about academics; it’s about aligning with your values, teaching style, and your child’s learning preferences. If you’ve been exploring the world of Sonlight homeschool curriculum, you’ve probably encountered glowing testimonials about its literature-based approach, along with some concerns about reading loads and cost. As a second-generation homeschool mom—yes, I was homeschooled myself—and now a mom homeschooling two kids, I’ve spent over a decade researching Christian homeschool options. In this Sonlight curriculum review, I’ll walk you through the key points you need to consider before diving into Sonlight.

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1. My Background as a Second-Generation Homeschooler

I grew up in a homeschool environment, which gave me firsthand experience with different teaching philosophies, curriculum styles, and the day-to-day realities of learning at home.

Now, I’m homeschooling my own two children.

Over the past ten years, I’ve taken a deep dive into numerous Christian homeschool resources, interviewing parents, surfing Christian homeschool Facebook forums (a lot!), trying different programs, and observing what truly works—or doesn’t—for real families.

One name that consistently surfaces in these discussions is Sonlight.

It’s well-known for its focus on quality literature, Christian worldview, and comprehensive lesson plans.

However, no curriculum is a perfect match for everyone.

Let’s explore the details to find out if Sonlight homeschool curriculum is the right fit for your family.

2. What Is Sonlight Homeschool Curriculum?

Sonlight homeschool curriculum is a literature-rich (or literature-based), Christian homeschool program that uses (what I’d describe as) “living books” to teach core subjects like:

• history,

• literature,

• Bible and

• science.

Rather than rely solely on textbooks, Sonlight curates a collection of novels, biographies, and other narrative-based resources.

Key Features

What can you expect to see when you’re looking at your curriculum and benefits?

These four things:

1. Christian Foundation: Sonlight integrates biblical truths and perspectives throughout its lessons. It’s quite gospel-centered which I love.

2. Literature-Based Approach: The heart of Sonlight is its extensive reading list. Let me say it again…it’s extensive! Instead of detached facts, children learn through engaging stories and historical accounts.

3. Levels Rather Than Grades: Sonlight uses labels like Level A, B, C, etc., allowing you to choose the right difficulty for your child without sticking to a rigid grade structure. (You can do a placement test if you’re not sure where your child fits though…so don’t worry!)

4. Advisor Support: An underrated benefit I reckon—Sonlight provides advisers you can call, text, or email if you need help or have questions. This is GREAT if you’re a new homeschool parent!

3. Why Sonlight?

Before committing to a curriculum, it’s wise to ask: Why choose Sonlight over other Christian homeschool programs?

Here are a few reasons families give:

• Deep Engagement: Children often connect more deeply with historical events or literary concepts through stories, retaining the information better. That’s why the literature-based approach and the Charlotte Mason approaches are getting BIG among Christian homeschoolers!

• Family Bonding: Reading together can become a cherished daily ritual. Many families report that Sonlight’s read-alouds lead to some of their most meaningful homeschool memories. Instead of duplicating your efforts (and draining yourself of energy) you can teach all your kids at the same time!

• Structured But Flexible: Despite its comprehensive lesson plans, Sonlight allows for customization. You can speed up, slow down, or skip certain books if needed. This is necessary as Sonlight has a huge workload. It’s going to burnout a lot of families if they don’t learn to skip when needed.

• Teaches the Gospel: I love that this curriculum is Christian and weaves the gospel into many of the books. This is the first thing I look for in a Christian curriculum personally.

4. Sonlight’s Reading Load: A Major Consideration

One of the first things you’ll hear about Sonlight homeschool curriculum is that it involves a lot of reading.

This can be either a big plus or a significant drawback, depending on your child’s learning style and your family’s schedule.

For example, I had a friend who used this curriuclum and her daughter wasn’t a big reader.

Every time I caught up with her I’d hear complaints about her daughter not wanting to read about Winnie the Pooh.

Although the mom enjoyed it, the daugher wasn’t excited about it.

So I think it helps to have a child who likes reading with this curriculum.

The other option is to do audiobook versions. Audible is a great subscription choice if you want to go down this route. My sister-in-law who is a hoemschooler too has it and loves it.

Pros of Heavy Reading

• Enhanced Vocabulary: Consistent exposure to well-written texts boost language skills an enormous amount!

• Critical Thinking: Stories often present moral dilemmas or historical perspectives, prompting discussions that sharpen a child’s analytical abilities. I like that Sonlight also has books on Logic (which is a classical education feature).

• Strong Family Connections: Sharing read-alouds creates bonding moments and encourages open conversation. A lot of parents like this curriuclum because they can learn with their kids.

Challenges of Heavy Reading

• Reluctant Readers: Some children dread lengthy reading sessions, which can lead to stress or frustration.

• Time Commitment: If you have multiple children at different levels—or you have a busy schedule—finding time to cover extensive reading lists can be challenging.

• Voice Fatigue: Parents often joke about losing their voice. Using audiobooks or splitting reading tasks between siblings can help.

5. Sonlight’s Unique Science Perspective

Another distinguishing element in Sonlight curriculum review discussions is how it handles science.

Instead of presenting only a young-earth creationist viewpoint, Sonlight includes both creationist and evolutionary perspectives.

This broad scope can be a double-edged sword depending on your family’s beliefs.

• ‘Broader’ Worldview: Proponents of Sonlight say that its materials expose students to different scientific theories, encouraging critical thinking.

• Parent Guidance: Each Instructor’s Guide offers notes if content deviates from a young-earth creation standpoint, allowing parents to discuss or skip as they choose.

On the flip side, families who prefer a strictly creationist approach might find the evolutionary inclusion frustrating, as they may need to filter or omit certain sections.

It really comes down to how you want your kids to learn about creationism vs evolution…whew! Sticky subject!

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6. Potential Drawbacks: Nudity in Some Usborne Books

In many Sonlight homeschool curriculum sets, you’ll find books published by Usborne, a well-known children’s publisher.

Some Usborne books include mild illustrations of nudity—typically in historical or anatomy-related contexts.

This detail might not bother every family, but it’s worth noting if you’d prefer to avoid any nudity.

What Can You Do?

If this bothers you, you can do what a lot of parents do and:

• Preview Materials: Scan through each book before handing it to your child.

• Skip Certain Pages: If there’s a page or two that feels inappropriate for your family, you can easily skip it or cover it.

• Use Alternatives: Some parents replace a particular books with another resource covering the same topic.

7. Sonlight Curriculum Review of Costs

For many families, cost is a crucial factor in choosing a homeschool curriculum.

Sonlight tends to be on the pricier side, largely because you’re purchasing a significant number of books.

• Grade 1: Typically $830–$1,050. (Cheaper price is their special pricing.)

• Grade 12: Often $1,180–$1,480

At first glance, these numbers might seem daunting.

However, remember you’re investing in a mini-library of high-quality books.

If you plan to homeschool multiple children, you can reuse most of the materials, which can make Sonlight more cost-effective in the long run.

Is the Price Justified?

A lot of parents think it’s a great deal because…

• Library Building: You’ll amass a well-rounded collection of literature and reference books.

• Lesson Plans & Support: Sonlight provides detailed scheduling, Instructor’s Guides, and free adviser support.

• Long-Term Value: Books can be reused, resold, or passed down, making the cost more manageable over time (see my video below on this).

8. Adviser Support from Sonlight

One often overlooked benefit is Sonlight’s free adviser support.

Whenever you hit a snag—be it scheduling, a challenging concept, or a concern about your child’s progress—you can reach out to an adviser by phone, text, or email.

This feature is particularly reassuring for new homeschoolers who might feel they’re “winging it.” (interestingly [and nothing to do with Sonlight] winging it came from an underprepared actor furiously learning his lines in the wings of a theater before stepping on stage…okay, I found that interesting anyway.)

Why Adviser Support Matters

Advisor support can be really helpful for:

• reducing overwhelm: Getting quick answers to your questions can alleviate stress.

• getting expert insights: Advisers are usually experienced homeschoolers or familiar with the curriculum, so they offer practical tips and adaptations.

• a confidence booster: Knowing someone is there to help can keep you from second-guessing every decision.

9. Sonlight’s Satisfaction Guarantee

In the world of homeschool curricula, a 100% satisfaction guarantee is a rare find—especially one that lasts for half the year.

Sonlight allows you to use their materials for several months, and if you’re genuinely unhappy, you can return them for a refund… doggy-eared pages and all.

Not bad.

Why This Guarantee Is Helpful

• Peace of Mind: If you discover mid-year that your child truly dislikes the literature approach or the workload is too heavy, you’re not stuck.

• Confidence in Their Product: Sonlight’s willingness to offer this policy suggests they stand firmly behind their curriculum’s effectiveness.

10. Handling the Reading Load: Practical Tips

If the reading load is your only hesitation, there are strategies to make it more manageable:

1. Audiobooks: Many Sonlight books are available as audiobook versions on Audible. This can give you a break from reading aloud and allow children to engage with stories independently. Gamechanger!

2. Divide Reading Responsibilities: If you have older children, let them read some books on their own while you focus on read-alouds for younger kids.

3. Adjust the Pace: Sonlight’s daily schedules are suggestions, not ironclad rules. Feel free to slow down, skip optional titles, or take breaks when necessary.

11. Who Is Sonlight Best For?

So, based on my Sonlight curriculum review, this program is ideal for:

1. Families Who Love Books (you know, voracious readers!): If your kids are enthusiastic readers or enjoy listening to stories, Sonlight will likely be a hit.

2. Parents Looking for Structure (I can’t handle winging it): Sonlight’s Instructor’s Guides lay out daily or weekly schedules, making it “open-and-go.”

3. Christian Homes: The curriculum weaves biblical insights and the gospel story throughout, appealing to families who want Christian faith integrated into their lessons.

4. Discussion-Oriented Learners: If you value deep discussions about ethics, history, and worldview, Sonlight’s literature-based approach offers countless conversation starters. Dinner table diamonds.

12. Who Might Struggle With Sonlight?

But, Sonlight might not be the perfect match if:

1. Your Child Dislikes Reading (I’m not doing it, Mom.): A strong aversion to reading can turn the curriculum into a daily battle…my friend sent her kids back to school following these daily battles!

2. You Want Strictly Creationist Science: While Sonlight includes creationist materials, its inclusion of evolution may require filtering for some families. I have another friend who said this was a no-go curriculum for her for this reason.

3. You Need Video-Based Lessons: Sonlight is purely print-focused. If you prefer online teaching videos, you might consider options like BJU Press. I use this personally and love it!

4. You’re on a Tight Budget: Although you can sometimes find used Sonlight books, the initial cost may still be high compared to other curricula.

13. Comparison to Other Curricula

Sonlight is often mentioned alongside other Christian homeschool curricula, including:

• My Father’s World (MFW): Similar literature-based approach, also integrates Bible study and global awareness. MFW tends to include more hands-on activities.

• Tapestry of Grace: A unit-study curriculum that cycles through history periods, offering a classical education style.

• Ambleside Online: Another Charlotte Mason curriculum that’s free!

If you’re curious about My Father’s World, many families consider it the closest comparison due to the shared emphasis on read-alouds and Christian worldview.

However, MFW’s structure differs slightly in its thematic approach and hands-on components.

14. Final Thoughts on This Sonlight Curriculum Review

In wrapping up this Sonlight curriculum review, it’s clear that Sonlight homeschool curriculum stands out for its:

• Literature-Centric Model: Engaging children through stories can build a deep love of reading and critical thinking. Think read, read, read.

• Christian Perspective: A faith-based lens weaves through most subjects, though it also tackles evolution in science. This is something to think on as a Christian.

• Comprehensive Support: From detailed lesson plans to approachable advisers, you’re not left to figure it all out alone. This is great for new homeschoolers.

• Generous Satisfaction Guarantee: Half a year to decide is practically unheard of, offering reassurance to families on the fence. Nice.

Weigh the Pros and Cons

Ultimately, deciding whether to invest in Sonlight comes down to your child’s learning style, your teaching preferences, and your budget.

If your family loves books, thrives on discussion, and wants a curriculum that integrates faith without avoiding challenging topics, Sonlight could be a wonderful choice.

On the other hand, if your child dreads reading or you prefer a highly video-driven approach, Sonlight might not deliver what you need.

About the Author

I’m a second-generation Australian homeschool mom who has been on both sides of the homeschool experience: first as a student, now as a teacher to my two children.

Over the last ten years, I’ve researched countless Christian homeschool curricula, aiming to help families like yours make well-informed decisions.

I also run a course called the Homeschool Parenting Program, designed to guide parents in building confidence and effective strategies for a fulfilling homeschool journey.

Thank you for reading this Sonlight curriculum review. I hope it provides clarity as you explore options for your child’s education.

May your homeschool journey be filled with curiosity, growth, and plenty of great books—whether or not you choose Sonlight.