Sonlight Science Curriculum II EVERYTHING You Want to Know ... Basic Info + Common Concerns

Welcome to the video where I deep-dive into the Sonlight Science program! I chat through all the reasons Sonlight Science is a good fit for our family as a literature based approach to science. Please let me know your thoughts and questions :)
Try out the chocolate experiment I mentioned!
www.sonlight.com/homeschool/h...
#sonlight
Sonlight Referral Link ($10 off orders over $100, first time customers only):
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FTC Disclaimer: Sonlight materials were given to me in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
2:14 Basic Organization of Program
15:23 Common Concerns (Evolution & Age of Earth)
Resources:
"Evolution and the Age of the Earth" article found in all the Sonlight Science free samples!
Blog Post: blog.sonlight.com/young-and-o...
Equipment used:
Camera: amzn.to/3uCA4gd
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
Small tripod: amzn.to/3wIVSYX
Ring light: amzn.to/3fw7vga
Music: KZbin Free Library
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Hi! I’m Angie, my kids ages are 9, 8, 5, and 5. On this channel I enjoy sharing my serious love for all things homeschool! You can expect videos on homeschool curriculum (flip-throughs, and reviews), book hauls, and any tips and tricks I have picked up over the past 4 years. Excited to have you following along!!
NOTE: Some of the links above may be affiliate links. If you purchase through the link that I have provided, I may receive a small commission. There will not be an additional charge to you, I appreciate your support!
Where to find me!
EMAIL [e-mail]
GOODREADS / angie
INSTAGRAM / angiesciencemama

[@theclassysassymama7515]

I really appreciated this; as old Earth creationists it is so hard to find good Science curriculum that is solid on the science but doesn't dismiss God at the same time.

[@KivStopMotions]

Have you read “Science Geek Sam and his Secret Logbook”? It’s a kid’s book about a kid who’s a Christian and his uncle is a scientist. He goes to a Christian school and his friends all have a young-earth perspective but his uncle tries to explain to him that Science is not in conflict with God, he explains how science science helped him grow more in faith. The book focus on Sam navigating these two worlds and how they don’t have to come into conflict with one another. I just finished reading it myself, and will probably use it as a read aloud to my kids. I’d say it’s geared toward elementary kids, very easy language and funny episodes. Would love to see a review on it, if you have time and find it interesting.

[@sciencemama]

I love the sound of that book, thank you for the recommendation!!

[@daniellemerrick6215]

We're Orthodox Christians, and in Orthodoxy, we do not take a young earth view of the world. This is not a huge issue for me- but I do keep it in mind when it's being explicitly taught in some curriculums when it doesn't seem necessary. I would like to be able to discuss the matter with my kids in an open respectful way so they are informed.

[@nicholemjt5334]

Hi Angie! Your content is great, thank you for spending the time to put it out in the world. If you have the chance I would really like to hear more about how you helped your students see how evolution and creation could co-exist without having to refute one or the other.

[@user-ee8vg5mh3u]

As a fellow Christian science momma I really appreciate your review of this program! I have strong opinions on how science should be presented. I am definitely leaning towards purchasing this program for our science curriculum!

[@sciencemama]

So glad I can help, I still love SL science :)

[@yesii921]

Hi! I’m really enjoying your videos! Glad I found your channel. I have a 5 year old I’m homeschooling and I could use all the curriculum ideas! Side note, has anyone ever told you you look like the actress who played Susan in Chronicles of Narnia?? 🤗 Looking forward to more videos 😃

[@sciencemama]

Welcome! That is a very sweet thing for you to say :) I love the 5 year old stage - my 5 year old twins just turned 6! I have used a lot of different curriculum over the past many years ... hopefully you can find some of my old videos useful too!

[@hannahsharon1]

We didn't do much for our kindergarten year in terms of science, just read books. If I added Sonlight in for the grade 1 year, would you do the K level or just move on to A? Do you have a favourite between the two, or does the K level give a necessary foundation for the program? I will have young Grade 1 students who don't love worksheets, so that is another of my considerations.

[@sciencemama]

You could do either - I would say go off of what your kiddo is most interested in! Although, I probably liked A better - they are both wonderful!! I have a review of A on my channel and I’m making a review of K in a few weeks!

[@krista833]

Hi Angie, you definitely peaked my interest in Sonlight’s science curriculum. I love all the engineering focus but with my science background I am still nervous about the religious aspect. I don’t want to teach new earth at all until high school. I feel that to be to be the best time for my family to learn some people believe this. Can I use Sonlight’s science while still avoiding the new earth topic all together? Would it be a nuisance to try to use it with this mindset?

[@sciencemama]

Hi! There is no new earth material in the books - it is really just in the teachers guide ... I would recommend checking out Bookshark science bc it is a sister company which is more neutral or secular in nature. Similar books just without the religious notes!

[@keycreations1096]

My main fear with using Sonlight is some people saying they were behind public school in science when they went to a public school after using Sonlight. I have an education degree, so the lack of assessments doesn’t necessarily scare me, just means more work. I really like the idea of using their history and science curriculums… But I’m wondering if I should use the book lists with TGATB that follows public school standards. Any conversation or discussion or feedback on this would be SO helpful. I’m not even homeschooling yet as my kids are not school age, but I totally plan to, and plan to use almost identical curriculum to what you use 😂. Was so happy to stumble on to your channel

[@keycreations1096]

Just a note, the reason I consider public school standards is because my state requires standardized testing (and I wanted to do standardized testing anyway for accountability) And I also consider the long term goal of making sure my children have the best opportunities and set up to do higher education or get a legal high school diploma to set them up for success…so one of my main concerns with curriculums is that that line up with high school standards or go above and beyond… One of the reasons I love Saxon for math and A Beka for reading and phonics.

[@sciencemama]

I completely understand the need for standards in education! In my opinion for the younger years, I treat science as exposure and delight ... honestly they aren't going to remember the details at those ages. The standards I focus on in the elementary years are language arts and math. But, I can see the concern and you should do what you think is best for your family :)

[@ravenbird3014]

Did you ever look at Noeo Science? I showed my son Sonlight D (which is what I thought he would pick), Noeo Chemistry 2, and Beautiful Feet's History of Science for his 4th- ish grade next year. He picked Noeo. I was wondering if you ever looked at these other literature based sciences and why you ultimately chose sonlight. Thanks!

[@sciencemama]

I've never used Noeo but I've heard it is really similar to SL Science :)

[@MrsMamaBerg]

Does each child need their own Sonlight science experiment kit if they are both doing the same Sonlight science program level or can 2 kids share 1 Sonlight science experiment kit?

[@sciencemama]

No, we share kits!

[@AnnieKopf]

Hi Angie, Are you familiar with Answers in Genesis? They have a lot of amazing research, resources, articles, fun things for kids and adults alike, regarding topics of faith, science, creation, evolution, etc. Love your channel!

[@sciencemama]

Hi, yes I have looked into Answers in Genesis and it doesn't quite work for me but I'm glad so many people have found it to be exactly what they need!

[@peterihnat108]

Hi Angie. I have a question I hope you can help me with. We’re a secular family and want to present our children all facts and theories which modern science have brought to mankind. However it is very hard to find a quality secular science curriculum, especially which would ship to the UK. I have been looking at some neutral science curricula (eg Bookshark) but wonder if such thing as neutrality exists in science. Isn’t science interdependent, one field/topic interconnected with another ines. Can one stay quiet of say evolution theory within teaching evolution theory itself but can you totally stay quiet on it while teaching other topics? I don’t think you can and don’t that neutrality in science is possible. But I am not a scientist so wonder what your opinion on this is? Thanks!

[@sciencemama]

I think it depends but it sounds like you would probably be best suited using a secular science program - have you looked into Real Science Odyssey?

[@peterihnat108]

@@sciencemama hello, thanks for the follow up. I have their curricula but studying one topic the entire year is a bit too much. I’m looking for a more spiral approach with several science areas covered per year and then building up on that the following year. And an open and go curriculum above all 😊. I am really liking Bookshark and Nancy Larson and researching how they approach the ‘sensitive’ topics and whether that would matter too much to me at this stage.

[@mathmaniac4777]

Hi Angie! Love, love your channel, but I hope it doesn't become all about Sonlight! Would love to know how the rest of homeschool is going.

[@sciencemama]

Thanks!