In all levels, much of the instruction in language arts is presented from the instructor's guide. For example, level A (in which some items are labeled for kindergarten) teaches beginning phonics, spelling, pre-writing, and copywork. Language Arts PackagesĪll areas of language arts are covered in BookShark's language arts packages that are available up through level H. 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. BookShark includes Moccasin Trail, the story of a pioneer boy raised by Crow Indians. Sonlight includes the book Lights in a Dark Place that tells fourteen missionary stories and the book Bruchko, the biography of a murdered missionary. Both packages include a biography of William Wilberforce, but Sonlight's choice stresses the importance of Wilberforce's faith. For instance, the level E history package for both programs uses The Landmark History of the American People: Volume II. This is evident in the resources selected for the programs. Sonlight's history is presented within packages titled "History with Bible and Literature" while BookShark's history packages include only history and literature. The subject of history highlights some of the major differences. BookShark's use of "real" books in this manner reflects the influence of Charlotte Mason's approach to education.Īs I said at the beginning of this review, BookShark is essentially a secular version of Sonlight. The History and Literature packages use an assortment of biographies, historical novels, and other books along with at least one spine book-a launching point for their studies-in this case, a book that presents historical information in chronological order (e.g., The Landmark History of the American People and A History of US). Levels I and J have "History and Literature" packages that are designed for independent study. Reading with History packages include both read-aloud books and books for independent reading, along with timeline and map resources. For levels A through H, BookShark offers Reading with History packages. History for level Pre-K is a study of world cultures and geography (with a number of read-aloud books). 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. Subject areas packages include the instructor's guide along with an assortment of resources that sometimes includes a traditional-style textbook. Subject-Area Packagesįor each level, the program up through level H has four subject-area packages for history, language arts, science, and math. The program is designed with lessons for four days per week, leaving time for field trips and other activities. (The program is one level short of providing a separate program for every grade level through tenth grade.) This arrangement makes it easier to select the correct level for each child in each subject and also makes it easier to combine children who are within three years of age into one level for some subjects. It is presented as levels based on age ranges rather than grades: level Pre-K and levels A through J. While programs shared many features at first, they have been gradually diverging further apart from one another.īookShark is available for pre-kindergarten through tenth grade. It turned out that BookShark was a spin-off from Sonlight, operating as a separate company to offer a secular option that is similar to Sonlight's Christian curriculum. I thought it looked very similar to Sonlight's curriculum. When I first spotted the BookShark™ display at a homeschool conference, it looked very familiar to me-lots of real books for each level, parent guides to coordinate learning, and grid charts showing what pages are to be read in the books each day. Online Schools with Complete Programs and Courses: Secular.Online Schools with Complete Programs and Courses: Religious.Weblinks for Standardized Testing Services.Standardized and Special Needs Testing Products.Reading, Phonics, and Literature Web Links and Supplements.
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