Sonlight Homeschooling Blog

Apr. 1, 2019

Homeschool Mom, Are You Getting the Socialization You Need?

If you’ve homeschooled for more than a week, you’re well aware of the concern that children be properly socialized. Everyone from your Aunt Barbara to the mailman wants to know that your kids are spending time with their peers, getting out of the house, and otherwise having the chance to interact in outside of an academic setting.

Moms Need Socializing, Too

Even if you roll your eyes at the concern for adequate socialization as your scurry from art lessons to soccer practice to a playdate to Bible quizzing, there might be one part of the idea you’re missing. Moms need socializing, too, and not just as they usher their brood from one co-op class to another.

It’s easy to forget, as we invest our days in the character and education of our children, that we are social beings, too. And while the most introverted among us may revel in the thought of not leaving the house for a solid week, the truth is that we were created for fellowship.

Our souls crave the intimacy of friendship, and our cups were made to be filled by the kind of encouragement that only comes by being known. And how can you be known? By stepping out and being face to face with others.

But Who’s Got Time for Socialization as a Mom?

Looking at your daily schedule, it’s probably hard to imagine where you could possibly carve out time to invest in simply conversing with other women. So many other needs are vying for your limited time and attention.
Surely homeschool mom socialization is something optional that we can push to the bottom of the schedule as we do the truly important tasks of motherhood.

How important is it, really, to grab coffee on a Saturday morning with a group of friends when you can hardly manage a date night with your husband four times a year?

Actually, it’s very important. Homeschool moms live their calling day in and day out, in a way few jobs demand. They never clock out, and rarely call in backup. Even worse, they are deeply emotionally invested in the outcome of their labors—meaning every perceived failure is personal, and every hard day is a blow to the heart. And while husbands sympathize and assist in the workload when and where they can, they can never fully empathize… and that’s where friends come in.

Filling Your Cup, Mom

A small group of like-minded sojourners on the homeschooling path can bring levity to the task of homeschooling. Sharing struggles gives perspective; hearing victories brings hope. Simply knowing that you’re not alone is one of the key benefits of true socialization—and one that a homeschool mom needs desperately!

But isn’t it enough to share a coffee while waiting on your kids’ piano lessons to be over? While these little snippets of time might be enough to keep topping off the well of fellowship in your heart, from time to time you need a deeper dip. It might be an hour alone with that same piano lesson mom, or maybe a dinner with the ladies from church. Co-op friends, neighbors, anyone who sees you as more than the mom who teaches her kids are all good candidates for building the kind of friendships that enrich the life and encourage the passions of the homeschooling mom.

How do you find time to socialize? And what kind of activities do you invest in with your friends?

While a Facebook group can never substitute for face-to-face friends, it can provide a place of support! Join us there.

Tagged Encouragement, homeschool moms, moms, self-care | Leave a comment

Mar. 27, 2019

10 Clever Solutions for Chronically Missing Pencils

By Gina Munsey

Sometimes it's the small homeschool frustrations that have the largest potential to derail the school day. Take the matter of missing pencils...

Can you relate to the frustration of not being able to find a pencil when it is time to start written work? Where in the world do all the pencils go?!

Continue reading →

Tagged homeschool tips, organization, organize, pencils, school supplies | 1 Comment

Mar. 25, 2019

5 Reasons to Love Explode the Code Phonics Workbooks

By Deana Wood

"My son works ahead in Explode the Code because he enjoys the fun way of learning phonics!"
Emily P. of Burnsville, MN

This year, I am working through the Explode the Code workbook series for the third time, and we all agree: it’s a winner. I often see homeschoolers asking if they really need the supplemental materials. The answer is no. You don’t need them. Sonlight is an excellent, stand-alone curriculum with no extras. However, I have seen so many benefits from using Explode the Code with my kids that I encourage everyone to add it on. After all, if there are extra benefits to be had, wouldn't you want them?

1. Explode the Code is Open and Go

Explode the Code is truly open-and-go. The instructions are clear and concise, and the activities are self-explanatory. I can literally open it up and teach immediately without any preparation beforehand. This perk is invaluable for a busy homeschool mom of four.

2. Explode the Code is Scheduled

Have you ever bought a book to supplement your curriculum just to get home and realize that you don’t really know how to integrate it into your current curriculum? I hate to say it, but I have a shelf full of things like that. They looked fancy and fun, so I bought them, thinking I could work them in somewhere. But I never could figure out quite how to pair it with what we were currently using.

Sonlight Language Arts Instructor’s Guides schedule Explode the Code pages, giving you page numbers to correspond with what you are teaching. It takes all the guesswork out, and gives you precious time back by doing the hard work for you. That’s a win for me.

3. Explode the Code is Simple & Purposeful

Explode the Code (ETC) is simple and purposeful—something I value greatly. I love that I can hand my kids a rare worksheet and know that they can complete it independently.

I also love that it isn’t busywork. There aren’t too many tasks on each page; instead, the work is just right for teaching the concept. I appreciate how well Explode the Code reinforces the phonetic concepts that I’m teaching.

While I have certainly ventured out and tried other supplemental materials, I have never found a phonics study that corresponds with Sonlight and works better than ETC.

4. Explode the Code is Funny

My kids have always enjoyed the activities in Explode the Code. From the fun listening activities in the Get Ready for the Code series to the silly sentences in the Explode the Code series, my kids are always tickled about something in their lessons. I mean, “A cake is in the bath?” I don’t think so!

5. Explode the Code Works!

My children have all been early proficient readers, and they have all started with the Explode the Code series. I’ve never had to spend much time and effort on explicit phonics instruction, because ETC is such an easy guide. My children have learned about everything from vowel and blend sounds to prefixes and compound words. It is a complete phonics curriculum, and it has proven effective for my family over and over again.

The only complaint that I ever had on our use of Explode the Code came when my very artsy daughter found the pages to be too void of color for her taste. I quickly took care of that by reframing her thinking. I helped her to see that the creators gave her an excellent gift in that she could decorate and color the pages however she liked, rather than having to depend on someone else’s tastes to make it pretty. That squelched all of her protests, and she promptly pulled out her colored pencils and went to work. I am fairly confident to say that we have the prettiest Explode the Code series worksheets out there.

My boys were exactly the opposite. Not only did they care less about the color on the page, but they preferred the simplicity of the simple line drawings. They stayed focused instead of being distracted by every purple balloon floating on the page.

It is rare to find a curriculum that works so well for both boys and girls, but Sonlight has found the sweet spot. Explode the Code is loved by all of us.

SEE ALL EXPLODE THE CODE

Tagged explode the code, kindergarten, learning to read, literacy, phonics, pre-reading, reading, workbooks | Leave a comment

Mar. 22, 2019

5 Reasons Not to Advance a Child to a Higher Level

By Veronica Soto

Your child is an advanced reader or otherwise shows being far beyond grade level. Wonderful, right? Because you homeschool, you can zoom that child ahead a grade or two, skipping the grades where your child has already mastered the material!

Wait a minute. There are considerations to weigh first! There are actually a few good reasons not to advance your child to a higher level as soon as you see signs of advanced growth.

1. Child Development is Not a Continuous Gradual Increase

Just as children have growth spurts in their physical bodies, their academic progress also grows in leaps and bounds during certain periods. Their ability might make great strides one year and be almost indiscernible the next. Sometimes they seem to develop skills overnight, and other times, you might find yourself frustrated that after several weeks they aren’t progressing at all. This kind of stop-and-start progress is normal!

Many children enter kindergarten a bit advanced. But being ahead in kindergarten isn’t a guarantee they will remain ahead in third, fifth, or even eighth grade. The reasons for this discrepancy are varied, but one main reason is that grade levels are arbitrary.

In kindergarten, it’s easy to see who knows their shapes, and who doesn’t; who can read words and who can’t. But as children mature, the differences between grade level blur. Consider these questions:

What’s the difference between a fifth grade reading level and a sixth grade one?
What’s the difference between ninth grade history and tenth grade history levels besides the fact they might cover different time periods?

As the levels increase, the abilities begin to blend together, too. A child who once was obviously ahead now is exactly on track.

2. Children Have Interests Besides Academics

As children mature, they invest more time in pastimes, hobbies, and extracurricular pursuits. Sports, activities, games, clubs, friends, music, and art demand more attention. When you move a child ahead a grade into more challenging academics, there's less margin for these extra—but oh so essential—activities.

3. Some Children Have Later Delays

Being advanced at an early age doesn't guarantee that same rate of development. For example, it’s not unusual for a child to be reading ahead in kindergarten, but discover they have dyslexia in third grade that stalls progress for a few years.

4. Emotional Maturity Does Not Always Parallel Intellectual Ability

Just because my 3-year-old could read and could tell me repeat back math sums didn’t mean she was ready to deal older children in a classroom or play advanced sports with them. Looking back, she wouldn’t have been ready to stand up and assert herself in a busy classroom.

Some common ways in which academically advanced children are less mature than older children doing the same work are:

concentration level
attention span
willingness to sit still for long periods

5. Early Graduation Brings Its Own Challenges

When a child starts early and moves ahead quickly, high school graduation may fall at a very young age. While early graduation may sound like a pro, consider some of the challenges inherent in this situation.

Consider possible disadvantages a 15-year-old entering college may experience:

They are unable to drive alone in most states, and will need to have a licensed driver in the car with them.
They might not be emotionally ready for dorm life, college dating, or parties.
Their lack of maturity may make them more susceptible to peer pressure, depression, and underage drinking as a result of feeling they don’t fit in.

While these circumstances certainly don’t affect all children, and there are ways to support your child so they don’t suffer from these negatives, finishing early isn’t always a positive.

Another big con to graduating early is not qualifying for dual enrollment. In my state, high school students can apply for dual enrollment, and the state pays their college tuition, including a certain number and type of classes, books, and most fees. My child can earn an AA degree before finishing school, without paying for it. However, once he graduates from high school, regardless of what age he is, the program stops. He must now apply for loans and grants, and pay out-of-pocket (or, out of my pocket) as a college student.

The Solution: Going Without Grade Levels

So what do you do when your child is advanced? The key is to simply choose curriculum for each subject that suits their ability and interest and don't worry about the labels of grade levels at all!

I no longer really pay attention to grade levels. Each of my six children is studying each subject at a level that best fits where they are in life with no regard to their age or grade level. If they need extra help in spelling, we spend more time on spelling. If we breeze through math books, we start the next one.

When I do need grade levels for some reason—outside sports, for example, I simply use the lowest grade level they would be called in public school, unless that grade level would not be appropriate. For example, my son took a class he was very knowledgeable in but that wasn’t offered to his grade level, so I enrolled him as the lowest grade level they offered the class to.

I’ve found over time it is easier to bump a child up a grade level, if need be, than to tell an older child they suddenly need to be held back because you advanced them too quickly. Instead of bothering too much with what grade level your child is, instead ask what level in each individual subject they are can comfortably to the schoolwork. Then select curriculum to match that level!

SCOPE & SEQUENCE

See what skills and topics are taught at each level of Sonlight in these Scope & Sequence charts. The create a customized education that fits your child's unique combination of levels.

Tagged advanced, gifted, grade level, Homeschooling | Leave a comment

Mar. 20, 2019

8 Places to Serve by Reading Aloud

By Erika Evans

We’ve all had those days. Dragging ourselves out of bed on too little sleep, only to find spit up on the floor, lukewarm coffee, and a laundry pile that has transformed into Mount Everest overnight. Oh, this is the glamorous life of a homeschool mom!

This was my morning.

Do you want to know what saved me? The servant heart of my six year old daughter. She sat down and started reading aloud to the younger kids. “Mom, I’ll read this morning,” she said.

Folks, I ugly cried right there in my kitchen. My daughter is not big on reading aloud. When given the chance, she’d much rather listen to an audio book or have one of us read to her. That crummy morning, she did much more than just read a book. She served her family. She knew the calm and comfort reading aloud can offer. She knew because thanks to Sonlight she's growing up on a steady diet of character building Read-Alouds and a heart for the world.

This day marked a change in our homeschool routine. No longer is reading aloud seen as just a chore or one more thing to mark off a homeschool to do list. Reading aloud is powerful—so powerful that it can be used in places beyond our homeschools. Reading aloud can be a service in our homes, in our churches, and in our community.

Here are a few places where the gift of reading aloud can be of service to others.

1. Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

Consider calling your local elderly care facility and offering to read aloud to some of the seniors. There are many studies showing the advantages of interactions between the young and the elderly. Perhaps you could adopt an individual who doesn’t get many visitors or who is without family. A weekly or even monthly appointment to read together may become a highlight for everyone. Staff can often point you in the right direction.

2. Day Cares, Elementary Schools, and Afterschool Programs

Preschools and daycare programs are often looking for volunteers to read to the children. Having another child who is slightly older come in and read can be inspiring and fun.

3. Hospitals

Look for opportunities to read aloud at local hospital and rehabilitation facilities. Children’s hospitals are often looking for volunteers to read aloud to the kids. The stories can help distract from pain and discomfort and give patients an enjoyable experience during a difficult time. Some neonatal intensive care units will permit older children to read aloud to babies since voice and touch are both comforting.

4. Animal Shelters

Getting adopted can be challenging for animals that are shy or overcoming adverse events. Positive exposure to children helps smooth this difficulty and increases chances that a pet gets adopted. A chance to listen to a human voice, while being calmly petted is soothing to both dogs and cats.

5. Mother’s Helper

Think for a minute about a mom of young children who seems overwhelmed and tired. Gift her with a few minutes of peace by offering her a read aloud playdate. Is the overwhelmed mom you? Ask your child to read to his or her siblings when you need a break.

6. Church Opportunities

If your church or parish has a children’s service, encourage your child to volunteer for a speaking role. Look for opportunities to read or participate in choir. One of our local parishes has a kid’s book club, where they share moral stories once a month and have children volunteers read the books to the younger kids.

7. Library Events

In addition to librarian led storytimes, many libraries offer summer programs or after school events that accept volunteers. Some smaller or more rural libraries, like ours, may be open to families sponsoring read aloud events or themed storytimes.

8. Audio Books Recordings

Chances are if you enjoy audio books with your family, you’ve come across a system or two that has volunteers record those books. This service benefits those who are unable to read or are visually impaired. Encourage community service and reading aloud in our children by taking part in one of these programs and taking them along.

Kids are much more likely to read when they realize it serves a real purpose and fulfills a true need. Reading aloud empowers our kids to do good for others.

LITERATURE-RICH HOMESCHOOLING

Sonlight's literature-based curriculum is everything you need to succeed.

Guaranteed.

Learn how here.

Tagged ministry, reading, reading aloud, service, volunteer | Leave a comment

Mar. 18, 2019

Salvaging Your Homeschool Day in Twenty Minute Increments

By Bethany Weathersby

Do you or your children ever find yourselves completely lacking motivation to work on school assignments or feeling so discouraged by all that needs to be done that you don’t even know where to begin? It certainly happens in our family, and I know we’re not alone in the experience. One of my favorite solutions to the problem of struggling to get school work accomplished is one I originally used for tackling neglected housework. I set a timer.

Focused Work for 20 Minutes

How long you set your timer doesn’t really matter, but our family always goes for twenty minutes of uninterrupted work. It never ceases to amaze me how much can be accomplished in that amount of time. It’s long enough to make significant progress on something, but short enough to not be overwhelming.

Feeling apathetic about school or simply don’t like what the Instructor's Guide is telling you to do? Anyone can manage to devote just twenty minutes of their attention to a task.
Got a little behind and are drowning in a list of boxes to check? Twenty minutes won’t get you caught up, but it will definitely get you started in the right direction.

The key is simply to not allow yourself to be distracted by anything else during that time. Instead, put all your attention toward school while the timer is ticking.

Choosing the Task for the Countdown

How do you or your child decide what to focus on during your twenty (or ten or thirty) minutes? The answer depends on the greatest need. Here are a few possibilities I've chosen:

Opt for the biggest job because it’s the most overwhelming.
Choose the thing I like least to remove the dread of having it waiting to be done.
Do a few quick tasks for the satisfaction of accomplishing multiple things.
Pick the oldest assignment for the sake of getting caught up.
Select the easiest work to boost a kid’s morale.

At times it will be best to let your children choose the task so they’ll have more motivation to work hard during the allotted time. In other situations, you, having a better grasp of the big picture, will want to pull rank and make the call yourself. Choose whatever seems best for the situation, but know there isn’t a wrong option because the end result will be completed work whichever route you take.

When the Timer Goes Off

Twenty minutes of focused work has happened, and you hear the timer ding. Now what? Our response varies, depending on the circumstances of the day.

The sense of accomplishment that comes with productivity increases our motivation and we immediately set the timer for another twenty minutes of work.
We set the timer for a five or ten minute break of exercise, relaxation, or unrelated tasks, then do another twenty minutes of school work.
Something else becomes a higher priority, so we set school aside with assurance the day wasn’t a total academic waste.

The next time you sense the school day slipping away possibly before it’s even started, go set a timer and see what you and your children can accomplish in just twenty minutes.

PEEK INSIDE AN IG

Tagged behind, homeschool tips, Homeschooling, motivation, productivity, Time Management | Leave a comment

Mar. 15, 2019

7 Ways to Enjoy Spring While Still Getting Homeschool Done

By Sonlight

As winter (mostly) loosens its grip, and the spring colors and spring weather emerge, it is the perfect time to celebrate being a homeschooler! You can still enjoy spring while getting schoolwork done!

While public school children have to take snow days, homeschoolers can school through most of the cold and the ice and celebrate with sun days, when the weather turns nice.