Apr. 8, 2009 - "My Father's World" - Need input, please!
'Tis the season - for homeschool catalogs to inundate the mailbox! I don't mind though. I actually enjoy pouring over them. In a general way, I know what I want. I want something fun! Seems like all we've been getting done is the phonics/grammar, math and spelling/handwriting. Makes for drudgery around our little home school.
My search for something new first landed me at Sonlight. Looks fantastic but oh-so-expensive! There is just no way we could swing it. Then I discovered "My Father's World" and that is where YOU come in!
Our family dynamics: 1g11 is behind in reading and spelling but basically on target in math and english. She's never really done anything focused wrt science or history.
2 & 3g, nearly 7, are in first grade. They are a couple of months behind due to my switching to A Beka in November but they do not have any learning challenges like 1g11 and so I don't anticipate any problems in finishing up the math and english through A Beka, although it is going to take us till the end of the summer to accomplish.
What I am thinking about/wanting to do is to go with Year One of MFW and get the deluxe package. Then do the following for english/math/spelling:
1g11: Writing Strands, All-in-one English series, Spelling by sound and structure (rod & staff) and ACE math. She is currently using ACE anyway.
2&3g7: overlapping the remainder of A Beka 1 with Primary Language Lessons, Spelling by Sound and Structure and overlapping the remainder of A Beka Math 1 with grade 2 when needed.
So, could you please tell me:
- Have you used MFW and what are you comments about it?
- What do you think about the above curriculum as a whole - do you think I have everything covered? that I have too much? any recommendations?
Comments
Apr. 8, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Melody
Well........I haven't used it myself yet, so I'm not of any real help. BUT - that's one of the main ones we're considering using for S this fall. It looks great, and I've read a lot of positive reviews online about it. I also really like that the whole family can follow the same period in history together.
Anyway, just thought it was neat you're considering MFW too.
Apr. 8, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by diamondsintherough
I think Michelle at /foxvalleyfamily uses MFW, and she loves it! Go ask her about it.
Apr. 8, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Dell
I haven't actually used My Father's World, but did look at it before deciding on Tapestry of Grace. I know others who use it and really like it!
For us, it seemed that the reading schedule was too choppy in that the read-alouds have such small sections read of so many books each day... rather than read a few pages from 5 different books in one day, we'd rather read through a good chunk of book 1 one day, finish it the next day, then read book two on day three and so on... ultimately reading the same 5 books, but having time to really get into each and enjoy it in context... That's personal preference.
For those who whould tire of spending too much time in any one book at a time and like to nibble many on a given day, MFW looks fabulous. Especially if your children enjoy worksheets. (Mine don't particularily, but many do, and MFW seemed to have quite a few.)
Those who I know who use it tell me they love the layout. My pastor's family uses it, and they really enjoy the books and reading selections. (I LOVE their first grade selections, but the other years didn't excite me as much.) It sounds like it is very easy to use and well designed!
I had looked at Primary Language Lessons at one point too, and almost went with it. I can't decide now quite what made me opt for something else instead, but it seemed to be an excellent program, and I almost chose it!
As to your full curric plans, it sounds like an excellent plan to me! It sounds as though you have all bases covered and have found good solutions for the children's needs and learning styles, and have found good ways to keep individual needs in balance while staying together and learning "on the same page". I think it sounds like a lovely plan, and should serve you well.
Isn't planning the school year exciting? Maybe I'm just quirky, but it is one of my favorite things to do!
Apr. 8, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by foxvalleyfamily
Hello there! :-)
Yes we do use MFW!
We are just finishing up Exploring Countries and Cultures, and it has been a fantastic year. We have ALL learned so much! God willing ( finance wise) we will be using MFW: Rome to the Reformation next fall. ( We already studied the ancients, so we're going to skip ahead in the MFW cycle.
I like MFW for so many reasons!
First and foremost, they are Christ centered, and their lessons plans really show how they (as a company) are committed to the goal of "go and make disciples of all nations."
The curriculum itself is a nice blend of classical (in that it follows the classical history cycle,) and it is quite challenging/rigorous academically. I feel that my children have really learned and retained so much more this year than they have in previous years where we just did 'workbook' type studies.
It also contains many "Charlotte Mason" elements.
The lessons are 'short and sweet', as my kids like to say.
Also, there is dictation/copywork/notebooking and nature studies.
I love that music and art are also planned out for you as part of the program, (because those ted to be areas that we skip otherwise.)
I think that your plans for math and English sound very 'doable.' MFW has recommendations, but you can pretty much use whatever you want for the "Three R's."
We use CLE math & reading, Rod & Staff spelling, and Growing with Grammar - and it has worked nicely.
If you would like more info...there are several Yahoo groups for My Father's World.
The main one is just a general group for all programs.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MFWFamilies/
Then there is a group for buying/selling used MFW materials
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mfwcurriculumswap
And finally there are 'sub-groups' for each level of MFW.
(You'll need to do a search on Yahoo for those groups because I'm not sure of their addresses - sorry!)
If you have any more questions - feel free to contact me! :-)
Michelle
May. 24, 2009 - switched from Abeka
Posted by Anonymous
Hi. I just found your blog tonight. I like how you're not relying on one curriculum for everything but rather mix and match to meet your needs. We used to use Abeka for reading and language arts. It worked but was real drudgery, especially by the end of the year. Drilled to death, my son was tuning out. Then I switched to Christian Light and love it. Its still very thorough but more gentle with a wider variety of activities in the lessons to keep him interested. He'll use CLE for third grade and my daughter will start their Learning to Read this fall.
http://akhomeschoolfun.wordpress.com is my website.
