Torchlight Curriculum
Torchlight Curriculum was founded by Tiffany Petty, a seasoned educator and homeschooling parent with a rich background in education. Recognizing the lack of secular, comprehensive, and flexible educational resources that cater to diverse learning needs and styles, Tiffany set out to create a curriculum that combines her extensive expertise in child-centered education with a commitment to inclusivity and secular values. Her professional experience in education, coupled with her personal journey in homeschooling, uniquely positioned her to develop a curriculum that addresses the practical and philosophical needs of the modern homeschooling family (Torchlight Curriculum) (TheHomeSchoolMom). Torchlight has quickly gained recognition in the homeschooling community for its innovative approach to education. Praised for its flexibility and inclusivity, Torchlight stands out as a leading secular curriculum that effectively integrates diverse perspectives and fosters critical thinking across a wide range of subjects (Torchlight Curriculum).
Grades Covered: Pre-K to middle school
Cost: $30-100 per level, not including books or materials (TheHomeSchoolMom).
Online Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TorchlightCurriculum
What Makes It Special
Torchlight's uniqueness lies in its eclectic methodology, which integrates hands-on learning, media use, and game-schooling into daily educational activities. The curriculum stands out for its emphasis on secular and humanistic values, promoting critical thinking, empathy, and scientific inquiry. This flexibility allows each family to tailor the curriculum to their specific needs, making it a versatile choice for diverse educational philosophies (Torchlight Curriculum) (Torchlight Curriculum).
Ideal Fit
Torchlight is particularly well-suited for families who value a secular approach to education and appreciate the integration of diverse literary resources. It is ideal for those who are looking for a curriculum that offers flexibility and the ability to tailor learning experiences to individual family dynamics and children’s learning styles (Torchlight Curriculum) (Torchlight Curriculum).
Potential Non-Fit
Families seeking a highly structured, traditional curriculum with minimal parental involvement might find Torchlight less fitting. Its eclectic and flexible nature requires active parental involvement and might be challenging for families not prepared for or interested in a hands-on educational approach (Give Mom a Minute) (Modulo).
Educational Content
Torchlight provides a well-rounded educational experience that covers:
Language Arts: Emphasizing literature, writing, and poetry.
Social Studies: Including history, geography, and cultural studies.
Science: Integrated with hands-on projects that complement literary themes.
Art and Music: Interwoven with other subjects to enrich the educational experience.
Critical Thinking and Logic: Fostered through discussions and problem-solving activities (The Homeschool Graduate) (TheHomeSchoolMom).
What Users Love
The richness of the literary selections and the curriculum's adaptability are highly praised. Users appreciate the ability to mold the educational content to fit their schedules and educational philosophies, making learning an engaging and enjoyable experience for both children and parents (Secular Homeschooler) (Modulo).
Areas for Improvement
Some users report that the curriculum's demand for parental involvement is intensive, especially for families with multiple children or other commitments. Additionally, the geographical and historical sequencing can sometimes seem disjointed, which may affect younger students' understanding of the material (Give Mom a Minute) (Homeschool Game School).
Integrating into Homeschooling
Successfully integrating Torchlight involves utilizing its flexible structure to fit learning into the family's daily routine. This could include reading during meals, audiobooks during commutes, and discussing materials at various points throughout the day, which helps integrate learning into the child’s everyday life (Modulo).
Ways to Get It:
Available for purchase and download from the Torchlight website, facilitating immediate access to the curriculum
Top Secular Alternatives for All-in-One Curriculum:
Here are our favorite other all-in-one options for different types of learners.
Book Lovers, Gifted and Profoundly Gifted Learners: Torchlight Curriculum
For Gifted, Workbook-Lovers: Critical Thinking Co
Nature-Based Curriculum for creative, Hands-On Learners: Blossom and Root
Adaptive learning app for kids who love video games : BrainPOP Homeschool
For Middle and High School Students: Build Your Library
For kids who love watching videos, here are highly Engaging Free YouTube videos for middle and high school: Crash Course
For Project-Based, Standards-Aligned Curriculum and Online School: Oak Meadow
For Free or Freemium online curriculum: Khan Academy Kids, Khan Academy or FishTank Learning
For more Traditional/schoolish Standards-aligned adaptive online learning: Time4Learning
Explore Other All-in-One Homeschooling Curricula
Dive into our comprehensive review of Blossom and Root, a secular, nature-based homeschool curriculum that combines flexibility with a rich integration of the arts and literature. Discover how it can transform your homeschooling experience.