Homeschool Science: Open & Go Life Science from Sonlight

On the hunt for an open-and-go Life Science Curriculum that the kids will actually enjoy? A homeschool science curriculum they’ll actually learn from and look forward to? I may have just the curriculum you’ve been dreaming of!

Science has always been a popular subject to learn in our home. My boys love doing all sorts of experiments and would watch science-themed television shows and movies for hours upon hours if I let them.

Even though “the events of 2020” were what finally cemented the decision to homeschool our kids, that wasn’t the only reason. We also homeschool so our kids can spend more time learning about what they enjoy and, when my kids were in the traditional school setting, you know what they’d tell me often?

They’d say “I want to learn more science!”

Cross my heart, absolutely no lie.

Now, as we’ve entered our 5th year of homeschooling, I’m happy to say that my kids continue to absolutely love science (and science experiments). This year, they’ve been learning life science together. I can honestly say it’s one of their favorite parts of our homeschool day & I’m so glad I get to share our experiences with you today!

This is a sponsored post. I have received complimentary access to this product and have been compensated for my time reviewing the product and producing this review. This resource may contain affiliate links for said product. I have not been influenced in any way and my opinions on this product are my own.

Sonlight Life Science

Why should you consider using a Sonlight science curriculum in your homeschool? What makes it stand out from the crowd?

Let’s chat, shall we?

Available in both 4 and 5-day schedule sets, we’re among some of the first homeschooling families to put this life science curriculum (updated in 2024!) to the test! How cool is that?

Created with learners ages 11-14 in mind (6th-9th grade), the Sonlight Science F kit contains nearly everything needed for a full year of life science education:

• Instructor’s Guide: makes teaching a breeze! Whether you’re confident in teaching science or not, the Instructor’s Guide is an invaluable asset in this curriculum. It includes step-by-step instructions, daily lesson plans (a HUGE weight off a homeschool parent’s shoulders!), tips, answers for worksheets, comprehension questions to ask, and more.
• Discover & Do Book: created for the Sonlight curriculum, this paperback bound book contains all the paper materials & instructions needed for completing the fun experiments.
• Science Supplies Kit: it’s the blue & white box my kids adore! This box contains nearly all of the materials necessary for completing the science experiments. You may need to supply a few household items (like tape, water, or even dirt from the garden), but this box is full of exciting, memory-making learning activities!
• Experiments Paper Packet: consumable worksheets & such required for the course. If you are using this curriculum for more than one child, Sonlight sells extra sets at a reasonable price.
• Miniature Magnifier/Microscope: a palm-sized battery-operated tool for magnifying. My youngest was thrilled to see this included in the curriculum and was begging to use it from the moment he laid eyes upon it!
• Books: 4 books are included to make the curriculum super well-rounded: The Usborne Complete Book of the Human Body, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design, Smithsonian Super Simple Biology, and All in a Drop.

Science Experiments

You know how I mentioned my kids loving science experiments? Well, I let out one very important piece of information: I, too, love science experiments but…I do NOT look forward to planning them. It’s possible that I’ve even avoided doing science experiments with the kids because the whole thought of preparing everything is just overwhelming to me.

Plus…who has the time to scour the stores for, oftentimes, very specific experiment materials? Like, lactose enzyme tablets? I don’t even know where to start looking for them. One beef boullion cube? I don’t use them when cooking, so it would be a waste of money & resources to buy a container to only use one! Dextrose powder? I’ve never used it in my life!

See? While experiments can be super fun, the preparation can be super expensive…especially when purchasing items for one-time use. Who has that kind of money to waste these days?

You guys, we don’t have to worry about those headaches with Sonlight. They make science experiments easy on the parents and fun for all involved by including nearly every single item needed for the experiments. I am plenty happy to do experiments & supply a few common household items, that we likely already use in our everyday lives, when the more obscure items have already been sourced for me.

Books!

It’s no secret I love books of all sorts! Bookstores are “dangerous” places for me to go because I’ll always come home with one new book…or ten!

I grew up reading books whenever I had the opportunity. They helped me to relax, they helped me to learn, and they helped me to visit far-off lands from the comfort of the black beanbag in my childhood bedroom. I couldn’t get enough!

Even when I was a teacher, I always made sure to keep the classroom library stocked with books of all sorts. Non-fiction and fiction! Various genres & reading levels! I’ve found that kids, my own & my previous students, are more likely to embrace independent learning activities when they’re presented in fun and unintimidating options.

Like books!

I absolutely love that Sonlight curriculum are book-based. Instead of including large (read: scary-looking) textbooks as the main reading material, they always include books that can often be found while browsing through a book store. The books are approachable in size, often filled with colorful photographs, and break up the information for casual reading.

You know what else I love? Once we’ve completed a Sonlight curriculum, the included books head on over into our home library. I love that, when we’re technically “done” with a Sonlight curriculum, my kids can continue strengthening their comprehension of the topic by looking through the books again and again.

Life Science Lesson Planning

When I was a teacher, lesson planning was one of the necessary “evils” of the job. It had to be done, and turned into my supervisors, every single week. I loved teaching, but I did not enjoy having to figure out the intricate details of each and every lesson.

It was overwhelming at times and a task I dreaded.

With Sonlight, though? Sonlight curriculum come complete with lesson plans! Since we are working our way through the 5-day schedule set of Life Science F, Sonlight has already provided detailed lesson plans for Monday through Friday. The plans include materials needed for each day, topics…all of it!

The lesson plans are also an incredible perk for homeschool parents that aren’t familiar with planning out all the details in a lesson. So many people think a teaching degree is required for homeschooling…um, nope!

@thathomeschoolfamily We've chosen Sonlight's Life Science "F" as our Science curriculum for the year. The kids have been enjoying it so far (no surprise, they've enjoyed all the Sonlight Curriculum we've used thus far) and I totally appreciate that Sonlight makes homeschooling super easy for me! #ad #sonlightcurriculum #sonlight #lifescience #homeschoolscience #homeschoolcurriculum #curriculum #homeschool#homeschooling #homeschoolmom ♬ original sound – Liz | That Homeschool Family

Our Experience

No surprise, the Sonlight Science F Curriculum is a hit over here!

Science is one of the subjects I teach both my boys together. I keep them separated for Reading/Language Arts and Math, but find that Science and History/Social Studies content can typically be taught together when multiple age and grade levels are involved.

Even though my youngest is “only” 10 years old, he is on the verge of the “hair, hormones, and hysteria” time of his life that all teachers and parents of middle school-age kids get to experience. My 13-year-old is in the thick of that lovely time, so, when I was selecting their science curriculum for this year, I though “what better time to learn about life science than now?!”

You guys, this curriculum has lessons that go over topics like:

• evolution
• DNA
• whether yeast is alive or not (the boys and I made a yeast bread recently and were able to discuss this during our kitchen activity!)
• plant and animal cells
• ecosystems

My youngest especially loves that the curriculum came with a magnifier/microscope. The second I opened the delivery from Sonlight, and took the magnifier out of the box, his eyes grew large and it was very evident that he couldn’t wait to get his hands on the device.

I had to hide it in my office so he wouldn’t lose it before we started the curriculum!

My oldest definitely looks forward to reading the included books during his free time. He also loves utilizing them during the lessons, but there’s just something special when a kid is so interested in a subject that they continue learning independently, you know?

Even on our super busy “I could really use a nap” days, my kids make sure we cover part of the day’s science lessons if not all. The fact that they enjoy learning with Sonlight really says something and that keeps me motivated enough to make sure we include science into our everyday activities.

Give Sonlight a Try!

Have you used any Sonlight curriculum yet? I am plenty happy to help answer any questions you may have regarding Sonlight, or homeschooling in general, but here are a few resources, from Sonlight, that could be super helpful:

• Try Before you Buy: I don’t like buying curriculum sight unseen either. My husband and I have worked hard for our money and we’re just not willing to take the risk of blindly purchasing curriculum! Sonlight offers samples of their Instructor’s Guides so parents like you and I can make informed decisions when it comes to homeschool curriculum.
• Try Sonlight for Free: If you’re new to Sonlight, they offer a free book and schedule to read with your children. Just fill out the request and the resources will be sent your way!
• Homeschool Advisors: Sonlight has a number of Advisors ready to chat with you, Monday through Friday, from 7am-5pm Mountain Time. Just chat, call, text, or email them with your concerns and questions…they’re happy to help!
• Love to Learn, Love to Teach: Sonlight offers a 100% money-back guarantee on their complete All-Subjects Packages and their History/Bible/Literature Packages!

Go ahead and share your experience and ask any questions in the comments! My kids and I really have been enjoying using Sonlight curriculum in our homeschool and I bet you and yours would, too!

Until next time, stay safe and enjoy quality time with your family,