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What sets MFW apart?
10:47 PM, Aug. 7, 2008
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(c)2008, mfwfriendOn the mfw message board someone asked the question What sets MFW apart from other programs? Here is my answer: Now there's an open ended question: Should get lots of fun answers from many different perspectives of it. Should be a fun thread. :) here's a link to the "super thread" in the archives about what sets it apart from other similar style curriculum http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?t=4098 wow... honestly, MFW has been a gift from God for my family. Some things that I see that make it work over here: *easy to use lessons plans. *each program is designed to be a year in length instead of spread out for long time *programs that are intended for use within families and that really recognize different stages of learning of the children. *books that are packaged for you and sold at competitive rates *enrichment reading that doesn’t require specific titles *a blend of learning and teaching techniques *real focus on the Bible as a spine in many of the programs where ancient and world history are the focus. *hands on projects that can be done and cleaned up easily. Uses normal stuff from grocery stores and occasional hobby/craft store *and they are serious about funding Bible translation projects with their missions fund. I have used MFW since 2003. I’m not really all that qualified to tell you how it compares or is set apart from "other stuff" because I’m not out shopping. But I lurk on a few places here and there and noticed something about ECC and MFW in general that I want to share. These are differences and don’t really mean better or worse. ECC is one thing that can set MFW apart. It is not just about setting the stage for learning history by studying geography. It is about helping you and your children to see yourselves in other parts of the world where God can use you. There are other literature style programs with year long geography. But MFW has a few approaches that are different. One of those program will focus more on the 10/40 window. ECC takes you on all continents. (that’s just something different in the programs. Not inferior or superior) And also in ECC when you read missionary biographies you have gentle ways to introduce heavy topics at the right stage of learning. So I think that sets MFW apart --- it takes a more insulated approach instead of an over and too early exposure or even isolated approach to it. Some topics need to wait until our kids are a little older and in the context of what God is doing about it through people who are willing to follow Him. MFW provides that balance. That way your children aren’t totally isolated, but you don’t expose too much info at the wrong stage of their lives. But it’s always done in the context of what God is doing and how you can do that too. It’s not just learning about the plight of others. And when all of that is said..... At the heart of it from a very personal level and this is not a comparison to any program. God has used the materials and structure in MFW to change my family for the better—not the perfect, the better. The Lord has used MFW to create in our lives the desire to see God's hand in history and current events and to do stuff about it. That’s not just a slogan on their website. It really is happening in our lives even though we aren’t that great or very extroverted types. We still know that we can serve as senders. MFW has created the opportunities to allow even my husband to read about Christian Heroes and missionaries instead of just reading the newspaper or online comics or fiction novels. (Still does that too, nothing wrong with that). Dad can be involved in MFW teaching. From using MFW my kids have on their own said things like "China is a beautiful place with beautiful people. I'm going there someday and tell Muslims that Jesus loves them." (quote goes to my 9 year old.) It's helped my oldest (age 12) think about money that she finds --- she doesn't ask anymore how much of this money should I keep? She says "this is God's money, what does He want me to do with it today?" She’s been challenged to think about using her talents with crafts to help missionaries and local ministries. She’s donated money to help print Children’s Bibles in another language that will be used in that country’s public classrooms. I don’t think any of that would happen with any other program. She didn’t learn that as part of a kids finance program. It came from using books and other MFW resources. Honestly – she has David Hazell to thank for some of that. My oldest listens to his workshop CD’s and pays attention. That’s something that sets MFW apart from some programs --- God gifted our brother in Christ to talk about stuff like that and he does. God gifted our sister in Christ, Marie, to write a really good and easy to use low prep program!!!! As goofy as this might read in cyber space, I feel like MFW just helps me stay focused about big picture thinking with homeschooling. It’s not just a tool for getting school done with kids. It’s a tool for me too to grow. When it comes down to it, what has set MFW apart in my eyes from all of the other stuff around me that my friends use and like is that we get to learn a lot of really good academic stuff, have fun with simple projects, read lots of books, and have learned to love the Lord more as a family and that we get it done in our real lives. I like that I don’t have to do any lesson planning. I like that the things used for language arts and math and science are strong programs that don’t overtake our day. My autistic daughter is learning to read this year. Two days ago, while I was in the midst of trying to decide if MFW K would be too hard for my special daughter, she picked up the K manual and read the words on lesson 4 out loud and clear: If I stay in Jesus I will have much fruit. That's what sets MFW apart from the other curriculum --- even in the most simple of ways the word of God is interwoven into the program so that even those with severe language disorders will have the chance to hear and see God's word. Those without those language problems get to hear it too. But I want her to stay in Jesus and have much fruit. I think God was saying “Remain here” one more time to me. I really feel that with MFW, I am staying in Jesus and I will have much fruit. and that might sound and read all sappy and weird, but I really feel that way. Bible and character and worldview are not tag on in MFW. Is MFW the only curriculum that can say that? I don't know. Maybe there are others that are like it. But God called me to use MFW to get it done. HE placed them in my path in 2003 and I remain there with my kids – growing in the Lord. crystal _________________ MFW since 2003. Child 1 - done ECC thru 1850MOD. Back to ECC (2008-09) (7th grade) Child 2 - done: Pre K, K, 1st, year 4 and 5 (supplement). Back to ECC (2008-09) (4th grader) child 3 - age 6, on the autism spectrum, trying to do MFW K so she will stay in Jesus and have much fruit Leave a Comment { Last Page } { Page 7 of 45 } { Next Page } |
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