Torchlight
Torchlight is a comprehensive, literature-based curriculum for children ages PreK-5th grade founded by an educator and homeschooling mom who was having trouble finding diverse, in-depth curriculum for her own children. Torchlight uses a Socratic-inspired approach, while embracing Humanistic thinking. Lessons encourage students to use logic, scientific inquiry and empathy to explore the world around them. It is a mastery-based program, that builds on concepts progressively and support students mastering each concept fully before moving on to the next.
In contrast to most comprehensive mastery-based curricula, Torchlight uses a multi-media approach and places a strong emphasis on integrating learning into everyday life, rather than scheduling blocks of time for learning. Parents can use Torchlight audio books in the car while running errands with their child and are encouraged to weave reading into breakfast, lunch and bedtime.
Torchlight also stands out among other programs in its efforts to make their curriculum inclusive of different cultures and point-of-view.
Core Components:
Socratic method
Torchlight applies the socratic method in teaching children. In this approach, the learning partner (parent or teacher) does not feed the child answers, but instead teaches them to ask questions. By doing so, the child develops the autonomy to solve problems and answer questions on their own.
Humanism
The torchlight curriculum places special emphasis on kindness, or as they state on their website “The Golden Rule.” It is not enough to develop strong problem skills, children must also integrate ethics and equality in their inquiry and apply those skills in the world.
Diversity and Inclusivity
Torchlight takes great strides to ensure all perspectives are included in their curriculum, while recognizing the vast variety of world perspective means it is necessary to constantly update and expand their materials. For example, they draw on materials written by Native American American authors for their units on Native Studies. Torchlight emphasizes including strong female characters in their literature, as they are often left out of mainstream media.
Kinesthetic Learning
Torchlight’s “Pantomime Poetry” program is a special component of Torchlight that features exercises to combine physical movement with lessons to increase memory retention and the pleasure children take in learning.
Eclectic Curriculum
A distinct feature of Torchlight is the variety of programs offered. It combines literature, game-schooling, car-schooling, direct-linked media and relevant bed-time stories in its curriculum options. Parents who find it easier to use one type of media than another can select the option that works best for them.
Weaving learning into life
Rather than scheduling set blocks of time for learning, Torchlight emphasizes weaving learning into everyday life with materials to support this. Parents are encouraged to listen to audio books in the car and bring reading materials with them on errands and activities. The Torchlight website explains, “Weaving scheduled reading into your day is a great option as opposed to scheduling one large block of reading time. We encourage our families to use morning breakfast, lunch time, and bedtime to fit in reading. We personally love a good bedtime story so much that we included an extra list of quality bedtime stories. Another great thing about books is that they are quite portable. Read out on the lawn, in a park, out to lunch, with your toes in the sand at the beach, or even at the library.”
Positive Feedback:
Children with ASD/ADHD respond well to the program
Children love their parents reading to them.
The online community is particularly strong.
It’s helpful to have a guideline and something to rely on as a back-up to a less formal homeschool curriculum.
It’s very flexible and easy to adapt. It also fits well with an unschooling approach.
The program can be followed in as little as 20 minutes of study a day to stay at or exceed grade level, but there are also enough lessons and activities to go much more in-depth with units of study.
Things to consider
For many younger children, parents feel the curriculum is not hands-on and active enough and they would prefer more outdoor activities.
Some families feel the curriculum is tedious and has too much “busy work,” especially if a child suffers from ADHD, though others felt they were able to navigate this by picking and choosing lessons and not feeling pressure to complete every assignment.
While some families enjoyed the flexibility of the program, others felt it lacked enough structure and organization for them.
Reviews:
“We absolutely love the rich literature selections in Torchlight. They have provided a comprehensive education that is fun for my children. They cannot wait to read the upcoming week's books as soon as I show them. Torchlight has instilled a love of learning for my children that will stay with them forever.” - Stephanie
“An amazing curriculum packed full of wonderful secular resources, resources representing indigenous peoples as well as women and other minorities. You can easily add to or take from the curriculum as needed to meet your child where they are. There's also a wonderful online community filled with parents who prove to be valued resources themselves.” -Candice
“We love this curriculum! The recommended books are lovely and modern. It is easy and fun to follow. One of my daughter’s favorite things about this curriculum is the pantomime poetry. She loves acting out the poems. Very reminiscent of the plays during Ancient Greece.
I will have to say that a couple of the books might be a little critical of religion, but overall it’s a great secular program” Lara
