This was so helpful! We’re using Sonlight HBL for our first year of homeschool and absolutely love it! I just started looking into doing a full curriculum package for next year and this was so helpful!
I felt like this video was made just for me 😍 We are totally in the same camp you are and it can feel lonely. My husband is a chemist and so I think us tag teaming teaching the sonlight curriculum could work really well with me doing the book work with my son and my husband doing the experiments. If you did end up writing your own curriculum I would definitely be interested. Thanks for doing this video!
I was already excited about using the kindergarten curriculum and as you are walking through these topics, I am even more excited about the science program. I’m an RN and my husband and I just love science. If you write a curriculum, I believe it would be a gift to the homeschool community 🙏🏾👌🏿😃.
I know this video was from 9 months ago, but I'm SO glad I stumbled across it. I hold to an old earth creationist view and there are just so few options available. I've been considering Sonlight for HBL but wasn't sure about them for science as I just assumed they'd be like most other Christian curriculum that are HEAVY on the YEC viewpoint. Thank you for sharing your perspective and review!
I think there's definitely a need for an elementary science curriculum (not just a nature study) that comes from a theistic evolution approach. I've been searching for one! Thank you so much for your review of the Sonlight curriculum. I've been curious about it but couldn't justify buying it without being able to see it first. I now think it's a very viable option for us, based on your review.
TLDR: I’d be interested and generally fall into that small minority of religious and open to evolutionary perspectives Long story: I’ve been a Christian my whole life and went to a small conservative Christian school my entire k3-12. I got my physics bachelors (specialized in high energy physics) and have ~2 years experience doing physics for cancer treatment and ~5 years working as an engineer at NASA. What I find most interesting about the age of the earth argument is that scientist declare an age of the earth estimate based generally on geology/biology (carbon dating, rock formations, archaeological findings etc…). Religious perspectives often seem to range based on interpretations of the creation story in Genesis (or the dual creation story in Genesis) along with the idea that 1 day to God is 1000 years and so on…. I rarely hear mentioned alongside these arguments that the scientific (primarily theoretical physicist and high energy particle physicists) community doesn’t even understand what time is or what it means. That’s an active area of study, especially since Einsteins theory of relativity was put out. Scientists “generally” accept that time is relative based on the observer and there is a simple mathematical equation to prove it, and this phenomena has been observed and is used in technology! If you don’t take into account relativistic motion, there are major problems with navigation systems and other things. But this implies that time, how we observe it in our day to day lives, is just a very small narrow view of what time actually is. This along with Heisenbergs uncertainty principle (time and momentum (ie position cannot both be simultaneously measured)), both show how vastly much, the scientific community is actively questioning. To me, as a believer in an omnipresent God (who has no beginning or end- a precursor to time and lives outside of time), I have no problem imagining that when God moves, time is observed/experienced differently. A day long creation for God could very well look like and be interpreted as 1,000,000 physical years to our senses… to the geology and biology. And as far as evolution goes, I have no problem that a singular creator may very well have used similar genetic patterns to create a variety of species that were all adaptable to their surroundings. Anyway…. I don’t think God and science ever have or will contradict each other. Science is a journey of discovering how God works and learning math is learning the patterns he created the world within. It’s an exciting process of discovering how we, as humans, have assumed wrong and right over the ages. I could go on all day about this, but I’ll stop now :)
This is so wonderful, thank you for sharing! Physics was a bit of a struggle subject for me but I learned a bit from what you wrote!! I love your perspective and support 😊
We homeschool through a public school charter which means we use secular curricula for everything. We are Christian and find myself editing as we go so it was so interesting to hear your perspective on science. Specifically, I had landed on using Bookshark Science for next year as a concession because we can’t use Sonlight. I liked the book selection they offer but I wasn’t too sure about the teaching materials. I’d love to hear more about any science you create and think there would be huge interest in that.
This is probably what I need to try for science. I like how they stand neutral on this topic and just let the science that has been studied speak for it self as well. I appreciate the open mindedness that they keep compared to other mainstream Christian science curriculum. Thank you for the flip through! Question: Would you consider using this through high school or what other options look like great alternatives?
Please create your own curriculum! I would buy it in a heartbeat! I have just begun the journey of homeschooling my kids (pregnant with my 4 child, ages 4 and under) and have been researching all types of curriculum (like you mentioned in another video, researching curriculum is also one of my hobbies). I tend to lean towards old earth, but I want my kids to be aware of the different perspectives and to be able to think critically for themselves. I have been reading and listening to a lot about old vs young earth (and plan on reading your suggested books) so I can have a better understanding for myself, and so that I can better educate them. And while I am comfortable supplementing and modifying curriculum, I have no doubt your materials would be amazing. Thank you for all of the videos! They have helped make me feel not as alone in this quest.
Thank you Angie! I just bought this curriculum for my children. I’m not too worried about young earth/old earth at this age but I was looking for science that would be fun and engaging, easy for me, but that would make them think. The science we were doing was really more demonstrations that were fun but didn’t really build critical thinking. I had been looking at Scientific Connections Through Inquiry, but it completely leaves God out of the equation and I like how you said Sonlight points to Scripture throughout. I trust your opinion as a Christian scientist so thank you for making this review!
I also looked at SCI, it looks great for critical thinking ... and it is definitely on my short list BUT I have been so happy with Sonlight, I hope it works well for you!
Loved seeing the updated science from Sonlight and hearing about your experience! This is my front-runner choice for when my kids are old enough for an actual science curriculum.
Sonlight was always my dream curriculum, but I never did it because of the cost. I am using Berean Builders this year, and it is a really cool base text. So many approachable experiments. Intuitive connections between concepts. For instance, my six-year-old was studying light and reflection. This blended seamlessly with a lesson a couple weeks later on how the human eye works. He is definitely learning scientific concepts more than memorizing facts and terms. Just add some good RU-vid videos, and you’re set. 😄 I am having to spread the lessons way out though because they are admittedly intense. But science is by far the subject he looks forward to the most, so I suppose that’s saying something! 😃
This was indeed helpful, as your videos tend to be. I just bought the BookShark Science Level A, but I'm still waiting to get it. I'm also using their guide for Language Arts 1 and History A. I agree with you that the guides are totally worth it. I had never seen a guide with so many helpful notes. I'm loving it! My problem is that I tend to eat to do my own thing, so I piece together different curricula and it can be a lot of work.
🙋🏼♀️ I would love love love it if you wrote a science curriculum!! I have search high and low and you are correct there is not a science curriculum for those of us with similar views.
You’re not alone! There’s a big need for Creationism Evolutionist curriculum. This is the camp I fall into and it is so hard to find Old World Christian perspective material for young elementary students.
I think writing your own curriculum is a fantastic idea. I also really like that Sonlight highlights multiple perspectives. I fall into the camp of creationist, but I had no idea (until recently) that there were so many different perspectives. Having a kit with all the materials is also a big plus. We have been doing Blossom and Root Science, but I want to do something that is easier on the parent in terms of printing/prepping supplies, gathering books. Sonlight really does sound great.
Yes, I would definitely be interested in your curriculum idea! It would be wonderful to have an Apologia Young Explorers style curriculum available for elementary students that comes from an old earth perspective.
I would definitely be interested in a curriculum like that! I hold more to an older earth perspective but it can be hard that there really aren't lot of materials that teach from that perspective without being void of Christianity altogether
I would love an old earth creation science program! My family loves science and we have tried many that aren’t perfect. I’ve done Bookshark science but I’m excited to do the updated Sonlight science next year!
I love that you are reviewing Sonlight science for us. We do Sonlight HBL, but I have shied away from the science (not sure why… maybe it’s the worksheets?) We went with Noeo Science this year which is ok, but I’m super excited about trying out Guest Hollow’s science next year (very literature based).
Excellent video! With a science background myself I have really struggled to find a science curriculum I love. I honestly didn’t even look into sonlight because I figured it would be creationism and anti-evolution. I also am religious but believe in evolution and believe they go together beautifully. Homeschool curriculum tends to be very religious or secular and not much crossover. I would be very interested if you wrote science curriculum! I’m definitely going to look further into sonlight it looks wonderful and closest to what I’ve been searching for. Thank you!
I was under the same assumption about SL until I read an article by one of the founders of SL about these issues. I will try and search for the article and link it!
Ive designed a science curriculum!!! I love modern science and I love seeing God in science and my daughter also sees God working in science!!! We love science as well!!! I never know what bible passage goes along with what we are learning if it’s what I’ve designed. We also use unit studies!!! With having older kids we’ve discussed evolution and none of us believe in it but I wouldn’t mind if my kids believed In Godly Evolution. I’m not sure how I’ll teach science to my youngest daughter when she starts homeschooling fully!!! The investigation of science sounds awesome!!! I’ve never wrote my own completely, I’ve just chosen books and videos and we’ve read or watched them and I’ve made up writing assignments for my kids!!!
Late to the party, but I would be VERY instructed in the science curriculum. As a Christian, I’ve always been stuck in the middle of old earth and new earth perspective. And I agree, we need old earth talked about more!
I would love a elementary science curriculum like that. We've tried to use it and keep running into young earth ideals and it's just so hard to edit on the fly 🥴
I would be really interested if you were to create a curriculum from that perspective. My son is obsessed with dinosaurs at the moment and as we’ve read countless books about them it has further reinforced my belief in an old earth versus a young earth. And you also are clearly qualified to write on science so I really hope you go ahead with it! 😀
This curriculum looks wonderful. My only issue is how experiment heavy a lot of programs are. I can only ever do like 1 experiment about once a month or so.
Yes, I agree with experiment heavy programs. I sometimes feel bad that I can’t do it all, but I try to remind myself to do what we can and let the rest go 😊
We use Sonlight science as well, for the same reasons that you shared. I would love it if you came up with your own curriculum and decided to make it available to those of us who share your views!
I would totally love if you made that curriculum, as I also share your religious and scientific views and have had to figure out where we fit in for science, and I am teaching dinosaurs currently lol. I also feel some curriculums shove faith down your throat and while God is in everything it sometimes feels like how it’s done isn’t in a way that is adding to the content you are working on or doesn’t even relate to the lesson, in that it isn’t featuring anything to do with what it’s about. I have gone mostly secular due to this and other things ( being very open minded and exploring where my beliefs lie and exploring other faiths as well) I am reading the book when one religion isn’t enough and it is really resonating as it seems so many faiths are similar.. it’s a whole thing I could discuss for hours, but I have loved watching your journey with this and appreciate your vulnerability in sharing this and being brave enough to! I think you would be the perfect person to make such a curriculum! I also appreciate where you are coming from about your faith and not feeling confident in the biblical knowledge base due to coming to it a bit later! Your doing a great job as a momma and teacher! You inspire me! Thank you for all of it!
It would be awesome if you developed a science curriculum with the other perspective on creation. I think there are definitely some families that would appreciate that!
I would love to see a science curriculum from you. You have soo much knowledge. I've been dealing with best science curriculums for my daughter. I appreciate your video so much. If you need a translator for Spanish count on me. I'm Working on developing a Spanish bilingual RU-vid video to get my daughter up to speed with Spanish.
Wow I've been reviewing science curriculum for the last few years (I am also passionate about science, also have degree in science). It seems like sonlight is your highest recommendation? I watched your other videos. It seems like they have a solid framework but keep it exciting enough for engage kids! As opposed to abeka/apologia who also seem to excel but are much more textbook driven.
I would be interested in the case for old Earth curriculum that looks at evidence for that. It’s ok to ask questions too! I hope you do this. I would submit from Scripture 2 Peter 3:8- “But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
Are you familiar with Noeo Science at all? We are in the middle of Sonlight Science level K and it's taking us quite a while to get through it because I get stuck on finding time to do the experiments. I really like Sonlight Science, but I'm also considering other options. I came across Noeo Science, which sounds very similar to Sonlight, except you select from Biology, Physics or Chemistry - you pick one for the entire year. I think I actually prefer that Sonlight touches on multiple topics instead of focusing in on just one, but I haven't fully formulated an opinion on that yet. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Noeo Science. Thanks!
Hey Doc, can you please consider writing a book (or at the very least a video) listing scientists every kid ought to know? Perhaps there are tons out there but I’d love a resource written by a Christian. 🤗
I like to feature an artist, composer, saint (I’m catholic), and country of the day in my morning basket. I’d like to add “scientist of the day” to the list …way easier if I had a book that lists them for me.
I don’t ever comment on RU-vid videos but I had to to say that I would definitely be interested in your curriculum if you chose to create one and sell it!
Writing a science curriculum that brings together science and God is on my back burner too (waaaay back since I had baby #7 6.5 weeks ago). I left my career path as a research scientist turned science communicator when my third set of twins was born. Sonlight is so tempting, but I don't think I'd keep up with all the parts and I'd feel like it was a waste of money if I skip a bunch of it. I'm loosely using Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding. History is even harder to find from a theistic evolution perspective. 😕
You have given me some excitement about this Science curriculum! I will have a 2nd and K next school year, and this is my top choice for next year. I have been dissuaded to try it because of so many negative reviews I have read about it (including the updated edition). I am currently using Elemental Science, which I like, but the demonstrations look so much more thorough with Sonlight. Do you think the depth of the material is enough/appropriate for a 2nd grader in your experience? I have a very science/math minded son, and we are an engineering household as well! 😊
Hi! I feel like it is enough for a 2nd grader, but that really depends on a few things ... if I was doing it with just my 2nd grader (and didn't have other kids), I might add some things just for fun. But in our current season, it is just right :)
Love your channel! I am homeschooling a kindergartner and I have 3 yr old twins that I do a bit of preschool with as well. I am looking at Sonlight Science A for next year when my oldest will be in 1st grade, so this video was perfect for me! Quick question for you. I know you said that the experiments are amazing. But I just want to know if they correlate with what the kids are learning/reading each week. I remember reading somewhere that they didn't used to correlate with the topic of the week. And I'm just wondering if that changed with this newly updated version. Thank you!
Omg the experiment worksheets are amazing!!! Did you use the kinder science from sonlight last year? (Just recently found you lol) I have a kindergartener and I would love to do it this next year for kinder but this one would obviously be too advanced for her
I'm wondering how you go about teaching an old earth perspective in Bible study? After growing up in church only hearing the young earth / 7 day creation perspective, I am now realizing I'm falling into the same minority group you're in. A literal interpretation of the beginning chapters of Genesis just never really made sense to me. It's been a complicated journey and I'm still not sure exactly where I fall, which makes teaching this stuff to my kids even more challenging. My kids are 6 and 4 so we are just doing casual science right now. I'm dreading starting Bible curriculum because I feel like I should start at the beginning with Genesis but I don't even know how to read it myself. I really appreciate your perspective. It's hard feeling alone in your beliefs/ doubts/ questions. I would definitely be interested in your science curriculum.
Hi! I feel the same way, it can be so intimidating to teach some of those sections of the bible. My kids are pretty young too ... so I tend to focus on the character and creativity of God. Helping them be amazed with the fact that God created and we can be in awe of that without needing to know exactly how he did it. I use the creation story to focus more on the why behind God creating less about the how, if that makes sense :)
Are you on any other platform? I have a personal question regarding being both religious and a scientist (how you navigate bc I have similar beliefs and am looking to chat about how you guide this with your children).
I will have a 3rd grader, young 1st grader (bday in fall), 3 year old and newborn. I have been going back and forth on getting level A or the K program. Did you feel like level A may be a bit too much or too intense that with my ages and having a newborn maybe doing K level would be more our speed or is level A very doable?
I would say A would be much better for your 3rd grader - who would probably be the one getting the most out of it. But you could probably do K too and if your 3rd grader seems bored, you could get extra books 🤷🏼♀️
Question - piecing this together are the experiment videos critical or can I explain the experiments to kiddo without the video - just using the instruction manual and experiment book. (Science background mom as well).
Do you think the Sonlight levels could stretch to larger age groups? I'd really love to do one science with all my school age kids as long as I can. In the fall, they will be 8, 5 & 3 1/2. Obviously I'll only be teaching the 8 & 5 year old.
Yes! I feel like they can easily be stretched to add older students, from my experience I would say it would be easier to aim for the younger and add more for the older!
I have an 8 year old (soon to be 9) transitioning to homeschool for 3rd grade. I am not sure if I should start with Science A or B. Can anyone help? She reads very well, I was just wondering if I started with B would she be missing out what is in A. Thanks!
I have a daughter that loves science. We are Christians too. I totally see her becoming a scientist one day. But how did you go through all the schooling all the way to a phd, being a Christian? I’m just worried and curious because we believe in young earth and from my understanding science in university is very secular.
I actually became a believer because of science! The wonder at the human body and the universe just speaks to a creator :) I didn't even know about "young earth" vs. "old earth" at the time!
Do you feel like you have to do science 5 days a week, or do you spread it out. If I have a seven year old (turning 7 in September), do you think A will be too much? He will technically be in first grade, but he is advanced in reading (about to start AAR 3 in a couple weeks).
No we tend to alternate science and history ... so I typically double up 2 science days into 1! As for if Science A is too much for a new 7 year old, I don't think so ... although my son (new 8) has definitely gotten more out of it than my daughter (6.5)
I would definitely be interested in a curriculum with a theistic evolution perspective. It is SO hard to find...which honestly baffles me. People on both "sides" get tribalistic about this issue which is so strange to me. The more I study science and the systems God has created, the more I believe in God. Evolution is just another once of the systems God created...it is the process by which God creates life. I also find it baffling that people take the creation story in Genesis literally. If you take the scientific process seriously, you cannot take it literally. To me, the story is a metaphor for how God has created...not meant to be taken literally. Science explains the how, God explains the why. They are so complimentary...not at odds with each other.
