Audio By Carbonatix

Let’s take a nostalgic journey together as I rewind to 2018, a year that was all about excitement and new beginnings in my homeschooling journey. I’m about to peel back the layers of time to unbox a homeschool curriculum that I hoped would revolutionize our educational adventures.

With the anticipation of a child on Christmas morning, I carefully opened boxes filled to the brim with fresh books, innovative tools, and engaging materials, all promising to blend learning with fun. This flashback unboxing video isn’t just a stroll down memory lane; it’s a celebration of the moments that have shaped my homeschooling path, a testament to the evolution of education, and a reminder of how far we’ve come in personalizing our learning experience. Enjoy!

Sonlight Unboxing: Homeschooling Multiple Ages Together

One of my favorite times of the year is when my new homeschool curriculum arrives. The last couple of years I’ve used Sonlight to homeschool all my children together. It works great!! I’m doing the same thing this year, too.

Below is my unboxing video. This year I’m using History/Bible/Literature (HBL) Levels C and H.

HBL level C is for Grades 2-4. My three youngest kids will be in grades 2, 3 and 4. HBL level H is for Grades 7-9. My three older kids will be in grades 8 and 9. Both of these cover Middle Ages through modern day. Middle Ages is one of my favorite times in history.

I literally put the two together and do the Read Alouds to both groups. Last time it took me 1 ½ years to go through the doubled-up curriculum this way, but none of us minded. The younger kids enjoyed the older kids’ books and the older kids loved the young kids’ books. This really helps the kids bond. From ages 7-15 (and 46!) we all enjoy the stories together. I can’t tell you the number of times all the kids were either laughing or crying at the same time. It’s fun to hear them talking about the stories months later.

I usually spend 2 – 2 ½ hours each day reading aloud to all my kids together. While I’m reading they’re usually coloring, playing with Legos, doing puzzles or crafts. I pause every few pages and ask questions to make sure people are paying attention. Sometimes the older girls take turns reading too.

Then, after the reading aloud time, everyone breaks up to do their individual work. This takes anywhere from 1-4 more hours, depending on the age of the child, how much work and independent reading there is, and how motivated they are.

Teacher’s Guide:

What makes Sonlight easy is that Teacher’s Guide has everything listed out—what needs to be done each day. There are also handouts and worksheets to go with the books. Since everything is figured out for me, there is little prep.

I’ll admit that we don’t cover every single thing in the teacher’s guide. Sometimes I’ll choose not to do all the extra activities, and we just read the books. That’s okay. My kids are learning a ton and excelling!

How I Organize:

I don’t have a dedicated school room. We homeschool in the dining room. We also eat in the dining room every evening, which means everything needs to be cleaned up and put away after we’re done.

Sonlight Unboxing Video:

Here are some photos of the Sonlight’s fantastic selection of books:

Bonus: Sonlight’s Summer Readers 

We’ve used the Summer Readers packs several times over the years! They send a pack of engaging, entertaining books to keep my kiddos reading (happily!) throughout the summer. Not only do they offer reading options for all grade levels, but they also offer Summer Fun Packs filled with all sorts of educational resources that will provide hours of fun for you and your children! Check it out here.

If you have any questions about homeschooling (or Sonlight) let me know in the comments!

Additional Resources

Homeschool Success Course

Are you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about your homeschooling journey? Do you wish you had a roadmap to help you navigate the challenges and achieve success? Look no further than Tricia Goyer’s Homeschool Success video course! Tricia Goyer is a homeschooling expert with over 20 years of experience, and she has poured all of her knowledge and wisdom into this comprehensive course. In each video, Tricia shares practical tips and strategies for homeschooling, from choosing a curriculum to managing your time effectively.

With Homeschool Success, you’ll discover how to:

• Create a customized curriculum that meets your family’s unique needs
• Develop a daily routine that maximizes your time and energy
• Cultivate a love of learning in your children and inspire them to reach their full potential
• Foster a positive homeschooling environment that nurtures relationships and builds character
• Navigate the challenges of homeschooling with confidence and grace

Tricia’s warm and engaging teaching style will leave you feeling empowered and equipped to tackle any homeschooling challenge that comes your way. You’ll also receive a workbook with actionable steps and reflection questions to help you apply your learning to your homeschooling journey. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from one of the most respected homeschooling experts in the industry. Enroll in Tricia Goyer’s Homeschool Success video course today and start your journey to homeschooling success!

Homeschool Success Course only $9 Purchase the course here.

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