Review of LightSail for Homeschoolers

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I received compensation and access to LightSail for Homeschoolers in exchange for an honest review.

Does the thought of an all-in-one language arts program online appeal to you? What about having access to thousands of quality books for your children at the click of a mouse and without the library fines?

If you answered yes to either of those questions, then you definitely want to hear about LightSail for Homeschoolers.

What is LightSail for Homechoolers?

LightSail is an online language arts platform. Geared toward children in Pre-K through 12th grade, it is a comprehensive reading and writing program that helps children advance their skills in reading, writing, vocabulary, and fluency.

It is designed to be family-friendly and meant to grow with your child as they progress in skills.

LightSail for Homeschoolers eLibrary Access

One of its best features is an eLibrary to be jealous of. LightSail has partnered with companies such as World Book, Lerner Publishing, Penguin Random House, and HarperCollins in order to offer a wide selection of choice books to your children.

Whether you are looking for secular, faith-based, fiction, or non-fiction, there are a variety of books available for you and your child to choose from.

In addition to regular eBooks, audiobooks, interactive books, TED talks, videos, and livestreams are also available.

There is also an option to buy books that are not available for free and add them to your library.

You can assign books to your kids to read or let them browse on their own.

My kids go through books so fast! Having tons of books available for them to read without having tons of library books getting lost at my house is a big win. When they finish a book, there is always another one available.

LightSail’s ChildSafe Content Control Service

Before we go too much further, let me tell you a little about LightSail’s ChildSafe Content Control Service that is available to parents. If you are like me, you probably don’t want your child to have unfettered access to every book imaginable. Even quality books are not appropriate at every age.

I get really frustrated when other people decide what should be appropriate for my children. Or when parental controls are so lackadaisical there’s hardly a difference.

I’m probably a little more excited about LightSail’s ChildSafe Content Controls than a normal person should be, but well, this is one company that got it right.

LightSail has different default categories depending on the age of the child. There are 30 different categories and sub-categories within each one that you can personalize. You can choose to allow, require permission, or block any of the sub-categories. It really is an extensive list and covers topics parents would be most concerned about their children being exposed to.

What I like about their ChildSafe Content Control is the different levels of management. I can choose to completely block entire categories if I know my child is not yet ready for them or if they are simply controversial topics. But, I can also choose to have my child ask permission and this would allow me to make decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Parents also have the option of allowing children to access videos and can set a time of day when videos are not allowed.

The option to allow or block chat access is also available.

Parents also have the option of choosing whether or not to allow faith-based selections, and which faith(s) they want their child to have access to. In addition, you can choose to allow, ask permission, or block material regarding a young earth or evolution, depending on your family’s beliefs.

Pretty much, everything I would want to be able to tweak access for, I can. And I can personalize it for each of my children.

The Many Features of LighSail for Homeschoolers

LightSail has many good things to offer both parents and students. Covering everything would be overwhelming, instead, I’m going to list some of my favorite features.

These are features I feel are unique to LightSail and sets them apart from other online language arts programs.

LightSail Book Clubs

Through LighSail for Homeschoolers, students are able to join and participate in book clubs. As a parent, you can create a book club and add your children to it. You can also choose to allow other members of LightSail to join. If you know other homeschool families on LightSail, you can share a special code that allows them to join with you.

Or, you can search for an existing book club and add your child to it. If you do not have an access code, then a prompt will appear to message the admin and tell them why you want to join. This also allows you to be selective in who you allow outside your own children to join any book clubs you create.

Book Clubs are a great way to get children interested in reading and practice the habit of book discussion. Plus, you can make new friends (or strengthen existing friendships) by experiencing the same book together.

Memory Work & Quotations

There is an option in LightSail for Homeschoolers to assign memory work or quotations to your student under the Assignment Builder tab. Memory work could be lists of dates or other information that either you input or assign from LighSail. Quotations are usually passages from books or scripture that can be memorized.

Once a memory work or quotation is assigned, students can record themselves reciting it and send it to you once they have learned it.

This is a unique feature I think many families will benefit from. Especially those who incorporate memory work regularly in their homeschool.

And, kids have fun recording themselves.

Journal

The journal is different from the writing assignments you can assign. The journal is just for students. It is a place where they can write freely without fear of judgment or a need to please. It is a space just for them. Students can choose to share a journal entry with the parent. However, as the parent, you cannot edit or comment. You are able to “like” the entry.

This is a great place for students to practice note-taking, brainstorming, or simply writing their thoughts.

Writing or Recording Instructions

When making assignments, as the parent you have the option to write or record your instructions to your student. I love this option because it takes into account both the non and struggling reader.

Take it On the Go

One of the biggest benefits of an online language arts program that includes all the books online, is you can easily take it with you. Beautiful day out? Head outside. Traveling? No problem. Being online makes it easy to adapt to where you are.

The Best Online Language Arts Program for Homeschoolers

These features along with LightSail’s four pillars of literacy (reading, writing, vocabulary, and fluency) make LighSail for Homeschoolers the best online language arts platform I have found. Because LighSail uses active home educators in developing their content, they know what we as homeschoolers are looking for.