What we're doing right now is NOT working. The curriculum that I bought (weaver) is not a good fit for us. I have to do so much supplementing and rearranging to make it work and I am overwhelmed. I've mostly been gathering everything on my own loosely using the curriculum as a guide for what we are going to study and pulling library books and printing things off the internet. It's taking way too much time! I NEED a boxed curriculum that I can just pull out and go to keep me sane. When I first started thinking about homeschooling, Sonlight is the curriculum that I was drawn to. The price is what scared me off. With such a large age span, I didn't see how I could possibly work with all of them at once which would mean four separate levels. Now that we've done this for a while, I see how I could make it work to keep my younger three together for a lot of things and have my dd13 working at her level on something separate. A couple of questions: Anyone have experience using Sonlight to work with different levels at the same time? It will most likely be January (or February) before we could make the switch. I plan to continue school during the summer, so would it work to just switch mid-year and work until we get to the end of the curriculum then start a new level in October/November? (I have a feeling I already know your answer for this one) You Dave Ramsey people, they have an "interest free payment option". I haven't really looked into the details yet, but do you think that would be a good option? Or should I save until I can pay the whole price up front? Can't wait to hear what you guys think! I always get such great advice here!
I have not used Sonlight for multiple levels so I can not help with that question. Sonlight is laid out for 36 weeks so you can really choose when you want to group those 36 weeks. I would say do not plan on combining weeks if you plan to do the entire program, that would be just way too much work to do. We use the 5 day plan but there are many weeks I will combine a couple of days work so we can do our co-op or go on a field trip. That being said it does make our other days longer or we play catch up on the weekend. The payment plan is really good if you do not have the cash up front. They only offer the longer 6,9 month plans around April but they offer the 3 month plan year round.
We couldn't have afforded Sonlight at the beginning. Now that we can, I have to say, it's worth the price! I love it. We use one level for my two boys. It works well for us. Even though my oldest is below the recommended level, he's getting a lot from it, and I think it's fine. My boys are 3 1/2 years apart, but my youngest is very advanced for his age, so they aren't too terribly far off. Still, I think that since they will have their own level for math, you can use a different LA altogether if you really want to, and you can get different levels of readers, it works just fine to combine. Even at the lower level, it's more history and geography than the kids are getting in PS. This isn't all Sonlight, my 5 year old is a geography nut, but yesterday he was telling my brother about a country in Africa and couldn't remember what it was. He kept saying, "It's by Chad!" and the adults had no clue. :lol: Sonlight is great for him, and even for the non geography nuts like my older son, they will learn a TON!
I haven't used it, but I too have been drawn to it. My son is in high school and I don't know if the switch would be good for him. If I could start over, I would definitely would have tried it out at least one year. Maybe I will have another child someday.... just kidding, I doubt that will happen (I am 42).
When I said that to my ob/gyn he said oh that is still young. He then proceded to show me information on women having kids up into their 60s I said I don't thing so :lol:
I recommend reading their document "27 Reasons why NOT to chose Sonlight" if you haven't already. I think it's a good tool to determine if its a fit for your family. I have many friends who use it a and love it!
The funny thing is I always thought I would have a big family. I would like another child, but being un-married (and I am single), unless I could adopt. Sorry this is off the subject of the thread, I just think it would be neat to start over with a child that was never in school and do something like Sonlight. My son has had so many years of private/public schooling (through 6th) and school-at-home, before we change somewhat, I just don't think it would be wise to change that completely this late in the game.
I haven't used sonlight yet but I'm going to start it with my two oldest kids in March. I have four kids - 6, 4.5, 3, and 18 mo. So if I stick with sonlight I see that I can combine the older two and the younger two. That's what I would do for your ages too. I kinda envision doing one core in the morning with two of the kids while the other two kids play and the other core in the afternoon while the other two kids go play. I'm not sure if that's exactly how it will work but that's what I'm thinking long term if I like sonlight and decide to go that route for a while.
All the previous replies are good! I also have been drawn to sonlight . I hear it works well for combining ages. I was also scared off by the cost of it. We are Dave Ramsey people as well ( no credit cards ) . I personally would not pay for it if I didn't have the money to pay up front. I would also recommend that you read the article on "27 reasons sonlight may not be for you". Also.... I don't know if your are in CA or not . I am & because of a silly new tax law sonlight has had to withdraw it's marketing & consultants from CA. This is suppose to be voted out in November , but not sure. I called to make an appointment with a consultant only to find this out. I would also say that it may be a good idea ( if you haven't already) to download a 3-week sample of their curriculum to give you a better feel for how it is set up. Have fun in your quest to find a better curriculum. A possible 2nd option for you .... maybe My father's world? That is suppose to be able to do the same as sonlight.
