This is evident in the resources selected for the programs. All levels except Pre-K include a science kit with resources required for the activities. My week is all planned for me! We have a brood of children in multiple grades. Join Janna and her guest Carol Simpson, an IDEA representative, as they discuss homeschooling options in Alaska and ways to make homeschooling, if not easy may be easier for you. But ultimately, it would never work for us- my kid would hate every second of it, and I'd get upset trying to force him through it. We consider it one of the most important subjects, and the curriculum choices reflect that. You put together your BookShark curriculum by selecting either a complete, preselected package covering all subjects for one level or your own selection of one or more subject packages from one or more levels. This makes it a bit more expensive if you want the out of print copies since they sell for a ridiculous price. We use Sonlight for science and are pretty happy with it, but it depends on what youre looking for. Memoria Press. The Top 5 Reasons Sonlight Didn't Work for Us. Here's what we have lined up for 4th grade for this coming school year. I do not recommend the Mad Mattr. (I dont think their LA program is spectacular.) I didn't know that they specifically claim to teach critical thinking with their discussion questions. (insert fanfare and flying confetti here!). It's just too *much*. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), explained amazingly well in this inspiring read about Montessori handwriting, Montessori Homeschooling Week in Review: Vol 3, Homeschool Week: Vol 20 The One with Josie's Birthday, Timberdoodle Kit Review: a Montessorian Perspective, Finding the best Globes for our Homeschool. Timberdoodle also includes robust literature courses in 3rd-12th grade that contain the required reading in the text itself. The complete kits add more, including resources for science and history, and the elite kits have all that you need plus extras such as additional hands-on resources, art courses, or the audio version of one ofThe Story of the World books. Sonlight appealed to me before but the religious bent always took them off the list from the start. . Well, no, a box appeals to me every single year. Lastly I hated the scrunch map. I loved how some of the materials fit in so beautifully on our shelves. This will be my first year homeschooling my daughter who is entering 1st grade. I'm pretty sure most people on this board who are excited about a secular version of Sonlight do in fact realize that it's a secular version of Sonlight, and not something brand new :) Lots of people like the idea of Sonlight and the literature included, but don't want the religion. They tend to offer very unique and hands-on materials. No review or article may be copied or reprinted without permission except for a single copy of a review made for temporary use AND not shared with others. Wonderful literature is great, but I need a little help in what to do with it. TBCS Brainhoney- core and elective courses . BookShark only comes with a 4 day schedule. And unwaveringly Christian. While the beginning grades are always teacher intense until the child can manage their own reading, Timberdoodle emphasizes independent learning as soon as it is possible. It sure didn't work for my middle ds who didn't like historical fiction much and didn't make any connections between the fiction and the history unless I connected he dots for him. It comes with any kit purchased; the curriculum comes preloaded, but you can also input your own. Rank in 1 month. We use it and tailor it to our daily needs. Sonlight and Bookshark appeal to both of us for their interesting looking books, but I wonder about being overwhelmed with reading. Likewise, the MiniLuk materials are very engaging, self-correcting and fun. Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!, Visit Us on Instagram: @Cosmic_Montessori. Timberdoodle's award-winning curriculum kits are suitable for grades 0-12 and packed with hands-on/STEM components. To give you a better idea of what a kit looks like, the elite kit for first grade (religious version) includes Timberdoodle's Curriculum Handbook (one that is specifically for first-grade level and this school year), All About Reading: Level 2, Math-U-See: Alpha, Spelling You See: Level B, Story of the World: Volume 1 (along with its activity book and audio book), and Science in the Beginning(plus lab set), all of which are or have been among my Top Picks. Depending on your child, youll be more involved than that answering questions and helping redirect the student, but it isnt the same as planned teaching time. This platform should be very helpful, but it doesn't provide complete record keeping. Timberdoodle: My End-of-Year Post. -So yes, money is an issue. a 30 week schedule, which means I can easily adapt it for 36 weeks (144-150 days). Joy-Filled Journey Through Preschool. Both Sonlight and Timberdoodle are owned by Christian families, and the curriculum reflects that. We have so many other things to spend money on. The last item should say "faith based - no." Another way is look under the item photograph and sometimes it will say " Included in Timberdoodle's 2021 Second-Grade Curriculum Kit and Nonreligious 2021 Second-Grade Curriculum Kit!". I wish they had more Socratic discussion helps for sure. The kit came with a number of other awesome things I loved. Stay up to date on our latest by receiving our newsletter. With wide open spaces, it can sometimes feel even lonelier when homeschooling. I would actually consider it more of a unit study approach that leans toward Charlotte Mason. I prefer a more open-ended approach. -Writing my own schedule takes less time than trying to make theirs fit my life. While I skew Classical, I just don't see the need for all kids to do all things. Last year however I was offered the chance to review a full curriculum at half price, so I jumped at the chance. Grading worksheets is a deal breaker. Examples of some of the other resources included in various levels of the Timberdoodle kits are the Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind series, theCritical and Creative Series (thinking skills), America the Beautiful, Uncle Sam and You, The Mystery of History: Volume 1, and Medical Investigation 101. But I am more a go with the flow type. I have not looked at Moving Beyond the Page so I will go look at that next. I'm reading that it's literature based and CM inspired, but it looks to me like it's not really literature-the website calls it "book based". Usually I just supplement our school days, road trips and many hospital visits with a selection or two of products. I've never even considered it. It wouldn't leave much time for the other stuff I want to do. He needs to touch, to play, to build, to do things. They are heavily laden with hands-on and experiential learning resources. How well Sonlight is doing it, their science is NOT what I would call secular, is a discussion that could be had. Its almost open and go! When I think of Sonlight and bookshark, kinesthetic approach is not what pops out to me. For levels A through H, BookShark offers Reading with History packages. Christian PK to 12 Accredited Print-based MasterBooks. BUT, I find the world-view of the Sonlight curriculum has changed a bunch over the past few years, and not in a good way. They don't teach any particular religion, but they also don't teach things like evolution, the age of the universe, etc. TBH, you may want to take a look at Moving Beyond The Page as well. So maybe it is an expensive booklist but it also has the questions and vocabulary, etc pulled out. Lots of art, STEM, games, etc. Bookshark- Boxed Curriculum- Secular version of Sonlight ; Calvert- Very old school, over 100 years old, tough but good and complete ; Time 4 Learning-online; Middle School/High School Online Learning. Maybe youre in fact mad. I feel like crunch time is here and I need to decide on something. There is a huge emphasis on books and they are great books. The idea of having everything done for me is tempting. Estimate Value. But I agree with you - I feel like this is different, since they've been so outspoken in the past about being uncompromisingly Christian. After all this work I deserve it! BookShark Level 3 History. BookShark students are exposed to a wide array of many of the best books ever written. I basically shunned the test booklets but then decided to be fair and have the kids give it a go. Like I said, I could say exactly the same thing about others, but have never felt that way about John Holzmann. My kids read a zillion books on their own time, but "doing" SL or bookShark is VERY time consuming! I love every one of them. There are other businesses that have done done this I think.I have it in my head that Saxon started as a religious company? lit. I don't even mind if a company recognizes and respects the needs of different families and makes both a religious and secular version of their curriculum. ), get Math U See or another hands on math curriculum, and then use something else for language arts. Science packages combine hands-on activities with an assortment of topical books. 1. Both are great programs but neither is perfect for everyone. The daily routine is easy. I can't remember exactly what turned me off though. Math, science, and language arts are weak. I did Timberdoodle with my oldest for two . Sonlight offers All-Subjects Packages for Kindergarten Twelfth Grade and also offer customization. Category. Its here, it's actually here!! Timberdoodle grade 1 (customized): Im currently using Timberdoodle Kindergarten Secular customized curriculum and love it for the most part. The Grammar Ace is used with levels E through H, and Keys to Good Language is used with levels F and G. BookShark's 2021 revisions aligned their science programs with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The logo structures are made by organization for speaking to their vision, innovation or nature of your item. What they are selling is pretty much what I bought anyway, lol. You can do a search for 'unit study approach' or 'unit studies' and see if you can find others that will work for you as well. I realize that this is part of the John/Sarita? A set curriculum would never work for me or my children - they are all over the place in ability. And there was an earlier version that someone on a secular board I'm on pointed out at least one example of historical bias that definitely skewed religious. It's just the principle of it all. I have to add a heads up for those opposed to same-sex marriage since the DK book Children Like Me (in the BookShark level B history package) presents a family with a same-sex marriage. The rabbit trails you explore together, the things you research together? I need to think about shipping costs. The fact that they say claim to be secular but include RS4K for science. I really enjoy this book so far! Its a subject that some seem to automatically excel in and others struggle. So why choose this curriculum? Assuming they go past 1st grade, that is. We provide 36-week, 4-day schedules designed to save one day a week for sports, field trips or other extracurricular activities. While it is possible that Sonlight or Bookshark will improve SAT scores beyond the national average, the claim is not supported by the facts they reference. I feel like theyre getting the best of what each of those companies do well. Definitely hands on. 3. We've reviewed a few here. My kids read a zillion books on their own time, but "doing" SL or bookShark is VERY time consuming! All of your responses have been very enlightening. 2023 BookShark, LLC. Our curriculum is easy for parents to teach. I just looked over the third grade sample reading list. The great debate is truly between Moving Beyond the Page, Five in a Row, and Bookshark. Mixed by Me Thinking Putty Much closer to what I want in a literature type curriculum and the owners are fantasticenough good stuff cannot be said about their customer service. I have another that still struggles to count to 20, but he's reading. Money. To round it out, add an art program from them likeArtistic Pursuitswith optional supply kit, and voila, an entire year of education for about $775! I can see myself saving up for the science book set. I looked into Bookshark but decided against it for several reasons. And my 'big box of books' looks and awful lot like my local library, lol. I taught it with every single discussion question exactly as they wrote it. I feel silly asking you this, because of course you are a Timberdoodle supporter :-). We stiil get to read the boks without using the curriculum that I'm not that enthused about. Very picky. What's Missing? . He very rarely wants to sit and listen to a story, do a worksheet, or color a picture. You might want to look at Timberdoodle. Ken Ham slammed SL for years and John Holzmann specifically for not being "Christian" enough for including books that he (Ken) didn't feel that Christian children should use. So that's one potential reason. The BookShark curriculum goes beyond textbooks by utilizing hands-on . They include programs among my current and upcoming Top Picks:Math-U-See, Saxon Math , Singapore Math, and RightStartMathematics. Personally, I don't mind if a company has a religious part and a secular part. Grade 4 - http://www.BuildYourLibrary.com Page 1 The Modern World Week 1 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 I liked Story of the World a lot, but felt like it just moved way too fast. Read Aloud Kindergartenbooks,Read Aloud Science books, and the enrichment guide for it. I have learned I need planned and scripted because planning doesn't happen and building my own doesn't work either. I thought the above was odd too. Bookshark: "BookShark is a complete . Of course, plenty say those are things that parents should pull out from the reading anyways, but I like the reminders. For the package I am choosing, there is 2 for Language Arts, one for math, one for geography, plus theDeveloping the Early Learnerset. Copyright 2010-2021 (You can see the central role played by the concept of evolution in the NGSSby reading the standards, particularly those for life science.) It makes the history more real and aids in retention for this type of student. Timberdoodles charter school friendly kits are simply known as the non-religious editions and are available from 0-12th grade. But not so Montessori-like were the number of text and workbooks in the curriculum, which I initially balked at; so did we learn to love them? We provide 36-week. Display as a link instead, She's just very innocent and sensitive. I've looked at all of them, repeatedly. Note: Publishers, authors, and service providers never pay to be reviewed. To the uninitiated, Timberdoodle is a small family business that offers curated curriculum choices both secular and religious. Mainly: Way too light and doesn't teach deep thinking no matter what they claim. Usually I just supplement our school days, road trips and many hospital visits with a selection or two of products. ButI know what you meanI currently have Bookshark open in a second windowmaking a reading list for this term LOL. I like to homeschool on the cheap because I can and because I choose to spend our money on other, more fun things (well, and sometimes we have to spend it on boring but necessary things like electricity and food :laugh: ). Memoria press was another that was in the running, very much a fantastic literature based curriculum, Id just remove the bible and religious content of it. And next year im going to add TGATB with it, too! I have a friend who uses it and loves it. It has art. Short lessons four days per week. You cannot paste images directly. Getting Started: Beginning the Home Education Adventure, Apps, Learning Games, and Online Enrichment Activities, Science Courses: Text/Online Support Packages, Resources (and Curricula) for Processing Difficulties, Giving You and Your Child a Road Map to the Best Possible Education. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guidelines Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. First I look at what our needs are. Im actually still considering the pre-k level if Peanut is able to write by June or July. Website: www.timberdoodle.com Christian Curriculum Options All About Reading Beginning Contact Who is BookShark Headquarters 8022 S Grant Way, Littleton, Colorado, 80122, United States Phone Number (303) 797-2954 Website www.bookshark.com Revenue $6.4M I know it says classical but it is a big list of living literature. No, I don't mean that at all. As always, Id be delighted to help if you have any further questions. When I looked into it, it looked like a literature based program with a kinesthetic approach. Torchlight takes a distinctively secular approach with Humanist underpinnings. That business model does not work for them any more. SoI looked at SL again this year, just like I do every year, and those are the reasons I ruled it out. I feel the math section would be engaging and keep her progressing, but any thoughts on that would be great too! For instance, the level E history package for both programs usesThe Landmark History of the American People: Volume II. However, it is a lot of historical fiction. N/A. No read alouds. but I am just loving all these science, logic, history, and art bits. I prefer do the next thing curricula (like the way we use AAS or our math texts) or more open ended, do what you like curricula, more like resource guides and living books and routines we make to do these things. Its ok. Were not fancy nancys or anything, but I really believe order has its place in the classroom as explained amazingly well in this inspiring read about Montessori handwriting. The IG is handy for parcelling out the material into daily portions. the title is a little bit misleading though-it's more of drawing pictures of cities than designing a city or a house. Your previous content has been restored. -I dont think it's as "strong" as I'd like in some areas. Timberdoodle also includes robust literature courses in 3rd-12th grade that contain the required reading in the text itself. It even has Thinking Putty! My issues aren't specific to this curriculum. But, it also incorporates other methods. Their curriculum kits also include STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) resources, critical thinking books and activities, and a number of items that have been among my Top Picks. I don't have an 8th grader yet, but here are my thoughts. I don't know that John will ever be secular enough for some secular homeschoolers or that Sarita will ever be Christian enough for Ken Ham. Begin your order by choosing one of these curriculum options. Timberdoodle offers a unique boxed set for homeschool families with not only textbooks but also hands-on STEM puzzles, toys, and much more (science, technology engineering, and mathematics). BookShark's use of "real" books in this manner reflects the influence of Charlotte Mason'sapproach to education. If anything I appreciate that they are being so up front about things. So the winner for 2017-2018 is Moving Beyond the Page!!!! It looks to be a great program though! Getting Started: Beginning the Home Education Adventure, Apps, Learning Games, and Online Enrichment Activities, Science Courses: Text/Online Support Packages, Resources (and Curricula) for Processing Difficulties, Giving You and Your Child a Road Map to the Best Possible Education, Sonlight, Bookshark, The Good and the Beautiful-8th grade. But even then I'm not sure. Both packages include a biography of William Wilberforce, but Sonlight's choice stresses the importance of Wilberforce's faith. They are selling a secular alternative. I am seriously considering them and I would love to know what you think of that curriculum. I have always thought the advertising and marketing people over at SL were genius. Christian Light Education. Today's podcast is for all your questions about books in the levels, how it differs from other levels, why you should consider BookSharks High School curriculum and more. Of course I don't think I ever did any of it exactly as they wrote it. Calvert Education. Do I recommend a kit? Timberdoodle will help you put together a custom kit for any level if you prefer different resources. :confused1: Because you could buy or check out the books and simply read them. Plus its secularso no Christian infighting occurs. By creating a secular version they are able to be used by charter schools, hence growing their business. Also enjoyed were builder options like Robotis Pets. BookShark Owned by the parent company, Sonlight, BookShark is a complete curriculum. Lol. I bolded the part that stands out to me. "Bookshark literature-based homeschool curriculum provides parents with engaging full-grade learning programs that offer unrivaled educational outcomes" Source: Bookshark is Literature-Based Homeschool Curriculum | BookShark I was a bit bummed this past weekend. Bookshark Building Blocks Moving Beyond the Page Story of the World History Pockets History of U.S. History Detective Oh Freedom Get OREGONized. I think I am probably going to end up picking and choosing from various companies for different subjects as well. BookShark is a complete, literature-based homeschool curriculum developed for students from pre-k through high school. Sonlight and Bookshark appeal to both of us for their interesting looking books, but I wonder about being overwhelmed with reading. Tgtb also doesn't have math for that level. Parents and teachers can track and review student work, customize assessments, and message students directly from a computer or mobile app. The Well-Trained Mind is the guide that millions of parents trust to help them create the best possible education for their child. I've run into a *lot* of people with the same complaints as mine. Subjective, I know. I do love a good OT-type break for the kids, but I would try therapy putty to be honest or the Faber-Castell Coloring with Clay which was particularly enjoyed by my artsy middle daughter. As I said at the beginning of this review, BookShark is essentially a secular version of Sonlight. There are many who didn't look twice at Sonlight because of its religious nature, but they are now interested in Bookshark. Mistakes in accuracy cause frustration.