Raising Boys that Read

Have you been frustrated that all your son wants to read is the latest Captain Underpants book? Have you been hoodwinked into thinking that all he needs to develop his reading skills is to read any book no matter what the content?

Here is a great article from the Wall Street Journal on How To Raise Boys that Read. The author of the article, Thomas Spence, talks about the effects of video games and dispells the thought that boys should read and it doesn't matter what they are reading. He talks about the value of reading classic books that can still capture a young mans attention.

Of course that is another benefit of using Sonlight for your homeschooling. Not only is it literature based, but they have put together the best of the best - the classics, the ones you loved when you were a child. No fluff, no potty humor, just good literature which will, in my opinion, create a love for reading and learning.

After beginning his article explaining how great the difference in reading levels is between boys and girls, I love how he ends his article: "I offer a final piece of evidence that is perhaps unanswerable: There is no literacy gap between home-schooled boys and girls."

Time is almost out to Submit Your Photos!

The Time is almost running out for you and your family to be in the Sonlight Catalog for 2011! Here is the scoop in an e-mail I just received:

What would you do if you discovered something you and your kids loved? Would you tell other moms about it?

Here's your chance.

You still have four days to join the Sonlight Photo Contest. Whether or not you've submitted in years past, this invitation is for you.

Here are 7 reasons to join the fun:

1.You have great children. Celebrate by taking their picture!
2.You love homeschooling and want others to know it.
3.You love Sonlight and want others to know it.
4.You'd really love a big Sonlight gift certificate. (If you win first place, you'll get a $500 gift certificate. Second place gets a $250 certificate and third gets $100.)
5.It'd be fun to get your 2011 catalog and see your family's picture inside (or even on the cover)!
6.You probably already have pictures somewhere. Why not share them with other homeschoolers?
7.Your photos and stories could help other families know if or why Sonlight might be right for them.
If you're one of the many who has already submitted, thank you!

If not, grab your camera for a photo shoot or submit what you've already got. When you upload, we'll prompt you to share why Sonlight fits your family. Just write as if you're telling a friend why you like your curriculum.

And remember: Sunday is your last day to submit photos for the 2011 catalog. (We'll include any submissions after that in next year's contest.)

Click here to submit.

Thanks for joining in,
Tim Heil



It's free and it's fun, one of my photos even made it in a few years ago! You may even make the cover and a win something so give it a go!

Three Reasons why to order by June 30

This just in from Tim Heil, Customer Relations Manager at Sonlight, and I thought you would want to be reminded!

Lock in current prices, get faster shipping & more: order by June 30!

1.You have two more weeks to lock in your current Sonlight prices. Some prices may increase on individual titles starting July 1. These changes may be minimal, but I want to give you a heads up so you can save money. We won't change Core or Newcomer Package prices until April 1 next year. But as vendors raise their prices, we may have to pass along those increases on some individual items.

2.Order in June to secure a "no fee, no interest" 6-month payment plan. As you consider your budget, remember Sonlight's incredible Time Payment options. If you qualify, you can spread out your curriculum payments over 3 or 6 months at no extra charge. But the 6 month option is only available in April, May and June. We've updated this policy and removed the fee since we released the 2010 catalog. Read more about this improved service here.

3.Get faster shipping if you order in June. Orders in June usually ship within 3-5 business days. But from July through September, we have to stretch that to 7-10 business days because so many families order Sonlight then. So beat the rush and order now.

If I can be of any service in helping to place your order, please don't hesitate to let me know!
kthroop5@sonlight.com

New Time Payments Option

Sonlight has now made time payments easier than ever! Check out this link to see how you can make payments for your Sonlight order with NO interest. Like I've said before, Sonlight is a great company!

The Updated Website is Now up and Running!

The website is now up and running for the new catalog season! Be sure to check out the all the new items as well as the new Sonlight apparel in the Sonlight Store. Not only are there some really cute shirts, but the winning T-shirt was designed by my friend's daughter! Trust me, I had nothing to do with her winning, it was all her own talent. Way to go Amanda!

CONVENTION SPECIAL

I'm delighted to tell everyone about our Convention Special this year. For each family who stops by my booth and fills out a card I will have a coupon for $15 off an order of $50 or more which is good until August 31, 2010. That is a great deal - I mean, who can't find $50 worth of books and then pay only $35? So please make sure you stop by and see our new and improved booth! The excitment is growing!

The APACHE convention is only a few weeks away and Sonlight is planning on having the biggest booth we have ever had! There will be a special convention only offer only for those who sign up at the Sonlight booth! I will also have some free give-aways and some great new displays! We are all anticipating the new catalogue which should be there in time for the convention.

So, whether you have been homeschooling for a while, just starting out, or maybe just looking for a change, be sure to check out the Sonlight booth March 26-27 in Peoria. If you are not able to make it and would still like to talk about homeschooling, please leave me a comment, or send me an e-mail to kthroop@sonlight.com and I will set up a time when we can get together. As always, if there is something you would specifically like to see, leave me a comment and I would be happy to bring it with me to Peoria.

Mention that you've seen my blog and I will have a special treat for you!

Blessings,

Kim