Meadowlark
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Posts posted by Meadowlark
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Just wondering what the main differences are. The WP website is awesome and is appealing to me, but I admit I'm not getting a good feel for the program really. I'm mainly looking at the American history programs for both (early elementary), and the geography/countries programs. if anyone has used both, I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!
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I just read the let's read and find out thread, which got me thinking about the oodles of books I have stashed away in the storage room. Up until now, I've just gotten out things we are studying for nonfiction and rotate the fiction books on our living room display and in their rooms. Im talking about non-curriculum books.
I imagine the time will come when I want them to have access to all that we have. The thought of organizing is daunting..I have them separated between fiction and non-fiction but that's about it. Any real organization would be useless while I have toddlers in the house, right?
Just curious, what do you all do? My husband wants to build a huge bookcase but guess who will be picking them up all throughout the day? ME! :-)
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Can you please explain why MFW isnt working for the younger kids? I thought MFW was written with that in mind....
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A few questions for OP Amy:
Do you like LHFHG enough to even think about more HOD TMs? I was under the impression you did not. Some moms don't like LHFHG and then like upper guides. For me though I have found the things I didn't like & liked about LHFHG to be the same issues in higher guides.
Are you interested enough in MFW to give it a try and see if you like it enough to stay with it?
Another thought I mean kindly:
Don't worry about tomorrow for today has plenty of worries of its own. (Jesus in book of Matthew)
I would start by TRYING MFW. Then if you like it you will know one TM to the next if it is worth continuing.
I wasn't under the impression you like HOD. If I am wrong honestly your best plan is to move one guide to the next for her gentle and thorough skill building. Seriously. It would be the best way to do Preparing; lead into it with Carries build up. It is the best way to do any math program, English, or HOD IMO. Start at the bottom & build up.
I wouldn't focus too much on MFW as a whole. You may hate ADV or may Love it. The only way to find out is to start.
Honestly your list made me think of Ambleside. Have you looked into it?
Hmm...great questions. Well, I'm hardly using much of LHFHG at this point. I think I like the looks of Beyond better, but probably not enough to say I would keep going. There are just too many things that are not jiving for me (discussed earlier in the post). But yes, I've heard time and time again that the guides get better and that Preparing is THE best, so that's why I hated to miss out on it. But I can see that using the books, etc would be like having a piece of the pie without buying the whole pie. I probably need to throw out the HOD catalog so I'm not tempted.
You are right, I think I'll try adventures next year (hip hip hooray, a decision!) And then go from there.
I kind of made the same decision last year with HOD, and well, I regret that. I need to learn to live in the now. Now, let's talk about how to do THAT! :-) JK, y'all! Big hugs to you and thank you! I just may be the next MFW cheerleader...time will tell!
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I can't figure out how to quote a sentence or paragraph on the iPad, but if I could, Donna-I would have quoted your sentence about wanting or not wanting to teach my kids together in the content areas. YES!!! I do! That is the attraction to MFW for me. My oldest is 6 and my youngest is 6 mo. so I hope to someday have the whole family completely immersed in whatever time period we are studying, with books flooding my living room floor, projects half built on the kitchen table, everybody smiling and enthusiastically working...ha ha. That's how it always goes for all of you, right? *wink*
Seriously, I know reality is not like that but things sure will be easier if I'm at least able to do that. Regarding my Preparing comment, I do understand placement of HOD and yes, I agree I need to muzzle these thoughts about 4-5 years into the future and focus on the here and now.
About my younger kids...when my oldest two are in 5th/4th...the next two would be in 1st/K. I personally only do math and reading at that age so what I'm doing with the olders would not really affect them anyway. I am VERY careful of what little ears hear and little ears see so I'm confident I could pull that off IF I did Preparing. Mostly, I guess I was asking because having not done Preparing (but have read over and over again how wonderful it is) or any of MFW, I didn't know how the programs lined up or if I would be repeating content or a certain historical time perios. From Donna's earlier post, Preparing is an overview and CtoG is world history but at a deeper level. So they COULD be done back to back, right? Has anyone done this? Is there any reason why someone might not want to do this?
Donna, your post was incredibly detailed and helpful, thank you! Im typing at a snails pace on this darn iPad, otherwise I could thank each of you and express my thoughts a little more clearly.
I'm so excited that every guide can be for 2nd-8th grade. What a brilliant idea for those of us wanting and needing to keep our kids together!
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I'm planning to use CTG for a 4th and 2nd grader, and yes, the MFW guides for the 5-year cycle are appropriate for 2nd-8th graders. Perhaps if you felt the kids weren't ready for CTG, you could do Preparing first.
Is there a way I would know if they weren't ready? I guess I thought all of the 5 cycle guides WERE appropriate for any child, 2nd-8th. I assumed I as the teacher would just tweak for the age of the child, with suggestions to help me do that on the manual?
ETA: I'm not really trying to map out every detail of the future (I've learned how UNwise that is for me), but rather trying to see the big picture of MFW. I really want to stay the course with whatever I choos.
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Okay, I'm not sure I'm understanding all of this, but I sure am trying!
So... From all of my HOD research and forum activity, I've heard that Preparing is a great program for 5th/4th. In the catalogue, Carrie actually has it slated for 4th/3rd. Being that my second oldest has a summer bday and so will always be young for his grade, I thought if we ever did do Preparing, I would do it in 5th/4th and use the extensions if needed for my oldest.
IF I do that, my plan would look like this (assuming I stick with MFW))
2nd/1st-Adv.
3rd/2nd- ECC
4th/3rd-??? Would CtoG be appropriate for this age level?
5th/4th- Preparing possibly?
If not this, what would you suggest? Aren't all of the MFW guides appropriate for all 2nd-8th graders, or is that not accurate?
It seems like I've read a lot about "waiting until kids are ready" for CtoG....
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This just may be my last question, can you believe it? :-)
I do have an interest in doing HOD's Preparing at some point. If I did, where would be a logical place to insert it? Is there a MFW program that covers the same content, or is considered one in the same?
Lastly, I don't see American history anywhere on the 5 year cycle. Do any of you add it? I'd like to study it again at some point before high school. Thoughts?
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"If you can have a fun day, just doing those, go for it."
I'm honestly not sure of the answer to this question, and I suspect if I can figure that put, I will have all the answers :-)
I'm sure doing the 3 R's would be hugely beneficial in that it would cement these ultra important areas. I'm quite tempted. I wouldn't feel pressured, have time with my littles, and have less stress...
But on the OTHER hand, I really want to I still a love of learning early on, especially with one of my guys. I'm already starting to hear the moans and groans about doing schoolwork, and believe me, we keep it light. That is not what I dreamt of when I decided to homeschool. I imagined kids begging to do more, reading up on things that interest them, jumping at the chance to do projects, etc. Well, not surprisingly they are not super thrilled, but really, what I'm doing with them now is not super thrilling! I feel a little like we need some fun thrown in, and I'm not inclined to do that sort of thing on my own without being told "do this on Tuesday". The proof is the cute art and science preschool books that have never been opened sitting on a shelf.
I agree that a schedule might suit me. I'm actually glad that MFW is light on history, because I personally don't feel young kids should be bogged down with facts/places/details that they won't remember anyway. I have an avid reader in my oldest so I can really see him going to town with the book basket. Great thoughts everyone!
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Heather,
Wow, thank you for your insight! You had tons of great suggestions and advice. I loved your detailed responses about MFW. I would love to get a copy of the teachers manual in my hands, but I don't know a single soul who uses it around here. Maybe I will get to a convention someday and see it. I know it's a risk either way. Honestly though, I doubt at this point I will do Beyond because I am looking at it every day (I'm doing the 1st grade math plans with my son and so it's on the counter) and I'm kind of "meh" about it. I like some things, not others, etc. I'm pretty sure I'd be in the same boat as this year. Based on your response, I think I would really like MFW.
I think at this point, I'm torn between just focusing on the 3 R's and not doing any history or science, OR doing adventures. Someone (can't remember who right now) wrote about just doing the 3 R's until 3rd grade and that really resonated with me. But could I actually DO it? Could this curriculum junkie DO it? Ha ha. Not sure. I'm quite tempted though...I think I would naturally tie in a bunch of stuff (from my mega library) but maybe not feel pressured to stick to a schedule. But then again, if it's not scheduled, it probably would not get done because there's always something "else" to do, kwim? I sometimes wonder where the time will come from in the future with 2, soon to be 3, toddlers who constantly derail us. But I know it's a phase, and YOU are doing it with 6, so there's hope right?
Anyway, just wanted to thank you (and everyone else who so thoughtfully commented) for helping me sort through all of this. It really really helped! Blessings-
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Hmm.I haven't gotten too far into HOD and am not sure if I have even gotten to things like narrations and note booking. Being a newbie homeschooler, I'm not super familiar with all of this lingo and what direction I even want. I LOVE HOD's catalog and the way they describe their programs, but LHFHG is such an epic fail for us. Honestly, I'm using it for the math plans, read alouds, and fine motor schedules (which are way too easy for my oldest, but we're doing it anyway)... And that's it. I dont like the bible and find it monotonous. The readings are kind of all over the place for me, and sometimes irrelevant or way over my kids' heads. But then I find the activities to be on the young side...I can't win! I'm not finding any fun in it. I'm not saying this to bash HOD, (oh how I WANT it to work so badly!) but to give you an idea of why it's not working for me, so that I can decide if adv. would work.
What I know I want (next year and long term)....
LOTS of great living books, all related to what we're studying
Fun projects that are not too complicated for me to plan, but enhance the learning and keep it fun
Lessons that are clearly laid out for me
Ability to teach the 3r's at my kids levels with whatever programs I choose (to give you an idea, we're loving AAR!)
history that progresses in some logical progression so that I don't miss anything
Science that is hands on and sparks an interest, good books again, logical progression would be good
Quality read alouds, if they relate to history, even better
Gentle art and music as a bonus (not necessary for a few years though...)
IS this MFW??????? I'm not asking too much, right? LOL!
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I did MFW K, MFW 1st, MFW Adventures, MFW ECC, then HOD Preparing. I have bought and sold every HOD guide before Preparing...I just do not like them. I LOVE Preparing, if the student is old enough to do the independent stuff independently. I tried Beyond with the next younger student for his 1st grade, and we quit halfway through and just read the Christian Liberty Press science book and an Abeka history book. Adventures does not incorporate the LA and math at all, so you can do your own thing there. My random thoughts and a suggestion that you follow the same (or at least similar, and do Adventures this year) path.
Ooo...I'm so afraid the same thing will happen with Beyond! I just do NOT want to feel like this next year at this time. Ive heard Preparing is amazing. If I did your progression, my 2 would hit Preparing in 4th/3rd. I originally hoped to do it in 5th/4th. hmmm...I'm still trying to figure out if I can stomach Beyond, and of course maybe supplement with some other stuff. So far though, nothing seems quite right though. What was it about MFW that made you choose it over beyond? For me, it's not the format or boxes, but rather what's IN them. I do appreciate the lit suggestions but am having a hard time with the authors overall flavor, if that makes sense. Or maybe I just need more complete lessons, I don't know....
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What is CBD? I agree that the logical choice is to do Beyond since it's sitting on my shelves. I was hoping to avoid another year of tweaking, but I can now see that it's necessary to do so no matter what "perfect" curriculum I might find. Yes, I think it's one of the reasons I homeschool and I am thankful for the opportunity to tailor fit to my kids and my style too. Okay, now if I can just find some art/music fine art type supplements, and maybe some literature (book basket stuff, we will do Beyonds read alouds), I will be set. Are the book basket suggestions published anywhere?
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DS did Beyond in 1st grade. We bought MFW Adventures for a 1st & 3rd grader this year. LOVED Beyond, loved it for 1st grade. (Didn't love Bigger for 2nd grade. I feel HOD is missing a good 2nd grade program; I still feel Beyond is a good 1st grade program; Bigger is a great 3rd grade and then on from there.) Having come from HOD, (just finishing Bigger) I was majorly underwhelmed by Adventures. I think it would be perfect for YOU to go into next year, with a 1st and 2nd grader. I think I would have enjoyed it last year, instead of Bigger, but I didn't want to use it coming off of Beyond, since Beyond and Adventures both use Pioneers and Patriots. My first grader is doing great with the readings and very little writing in Adventures. We have since tweaked Adventures to the point it is not recognized, so I am not saying we use it, but I do assign a lot of the reading and writing from it. Just as a side note, we LOVE the art in Adventures. Oh, one more thing. My dd did LHFHG and I was "meh" about it. I felt that Beyond was WAYYY better. HTH.
This is very helpful...so are you saying that you think Beyond is better than Adventures? I really think I'll use one of the two next year as I really want to do American history. I totally agree that HOD is missing a guide. Have you done ECC? I kind of liked the idea of doing that after Bigger (if we continue with HOD that is ) I feel like I should give Beyond a shot, but if I do, I'll miss out on Adventures. I think I'll end up tweaking both programs. What are the best parts/books of adventures? I am interested in the art, but I suppose I would have to buy the whole curriculum to do that? How is the science in adventures? What are you tweaking, or what's not to your liking?
I love that you've done both, I apologize if I'm asking too many questions :-)
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Okay, I will try my best to make this as understandable as possible, but I can't promise anything :-)
I guess the root of it is, IS there even a program available that suits me, or am I better off piecing together things on my own. I just cannot figure out which route to take. I thought I was an HOD girl to the heart. I've drooled over the catalog, even planned out years ahead and bought books. Big mistake, lesson learned. We are doing LHFHG this year, but I am tweaking it so much that it probably even isn't really "doing it". I don't care for much of it and that worries me because I'm afraid if I don't like the first guide, is there hope that I will like the rest? I have heard they get better, but I'm just not sure. I DO have Beyond purchased and all ready to go, and that was what I was planning to do next year.
But then..I stumbled across MFW. I had never considered it in the past because when I looked at the K and 1st grade program, my son was way advanced for the LA part of it. I didn't realize that the upper guides were different. I don't know a lot about MFW, but from what I can see, I could combine my kiddos down the line quite nicely. As you can see from my signature, they are all very close. The idea of studying the same types of things with them excites me!
So, about Adventures...it looks pretty good to me. Relevant projects? Good literature? Open and go, clear plans? One question, can I do Adventures but put in my own math and phonics? If I only want to use it for liteature, science and history, what would I need to buy exactly?
I like the suggestion of just doing ADV next year (2nd and 1st), although "Beyond" will be shelved and I"ll feel super guilty about not using it...but if I love Adventures then it would be worth it. I feel right now like I am constantly putting a round peg in a square hole, and it's uncomfortable. I don't know if there's anything I won't tweak, but I'm looking to find the closest match for us without spending a ton of money on curriculum that I won't use. I am a tweaker by nature-I taught PS and althought I loved having a curriculum guide, I was always googling interest projects, going to the library, etc.
If anyone has done both Beyond and Adventures, I'd really value your input on the 2 programs. If I chose MFW, would I just keep doing the programs (2-8)? What about when we run out and we repeat, then will my oldest just do it at a deeper level? I guess I'm not 100% sure how the cycle works.
I know this touched on a lot of issues and I apologize for writing a book. I am spending WAY too much time thinking about all of this and I do not have time to spare! Thanks for all of the help.
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Hi all,
Thanks for all of the advice. I am thinking theough it all, and planning to write a more detailed post this afternoon when I put my pumpkins to sleep. I have lots of thoughts spinning around in my head, and hope I can get it down so that it makes sense. Until then-
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Hi,
I'm looking into using MFW adventures eventually (in 2 years) when my kids are in 3rd and 2nd. But, I'm confused about what I would do next year. Ideally, I'd love to have something for gentle history, science and read alouds. We have plenty of the 3 R's and are happy with those choices. I know the cm approach is to keep it gentle on these early years, and I totally agree with that. I'm just wanting to add in a little history/science/literature/fun projects that all focuses on the same theme. I looked at HOD and their program for 6-8 is American history,but I think I like MFW better and want to wait until my kids are in that age range.
So what do I do until then? Next year my boys will be 2nd and 1st. I NEED to keep them combined in everything but the 3r's, yet don't really want to piece things together if I don't have to. I guess I don't really understand what to do before they hit adventures. Thanks for the help!
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My son is in 1st grade and we are cruising through AAS. For writing, we are doing some basic copy work (2-3 sentences) but that's about it (Acc to our curriculum). Is this enough? It seems very strange to me that I am teaching him spelling, but rarely give him the opportunity to write. Yes, we do "real life " writing, such as birthday cards, letters, etc., but that's it as far as creative writing goes.
I am a former ps teacher and I remember lots of journalist, word books, creative writing being taught at this age. I have read the cm and WTM thoughts on copybook a little bit, and thought I agreed with them, but now I'm not so sure. I find myself drawn to traditional writing programs such as Writeshop. I'm just not sure what philosophy I agree with.
I DO know that I think it's strange to be teaching spelling, but not writing. KWIM? thoughts?
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I'm looking to find some nonfiction movie type things that use real pictures. I checked out brainpop today but hated the cartoonish nature when dealing with real things. Does anyone know of a similar site where you can search for content? Thanks.
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I hear you, and that is what I'm trying to do now. The problem I'm running into is that we just don't ever get to those science books that we have checked out. We had a bunch last week on space for example, because that's the topic my son picked, but he didn't so much as pick it up after that. With my little ones, we're lucky to get the 3 R's done in a day, so I rarely initiate a science conversation purposely. Sigh. I'm honestly trying to see if there's a good fit for us out there, more for when they're in 2nd/1st or even 3rd/2nd. We are currently halfway doing HOD, but am beginning to tweak and change so much that I'm not sure if I'll continue next year. I am thinking I am not a "boxed" or semi-boxed" kind of person, yet have already wasted money on one science curriculum that was a total bust. With all of the options out there, I'm hoping to find something to stick with. I guess I'll need to get some things in my hands to truly see if it's a good fit.
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Hi,
I briefly visited the apologia booth at convention, but already had a curriculum so didn't look too deeply at it. Now, I am considering changing science (more for the future that now) so wanted to ask a few questions from you who are using it.
What is a typical lesson like? Is the book in textbook format and is it interesting? Is it open and go or does it require a lot of teaching prep?
Do your kids like it and does it ignite that spark for science? What do you think about studying one topic for the whole year? Thanks!
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Oops, I meant to respond to the quote above. I am also a trained musician, and when I listen to the stamples, I don't know it seems kind of...cheesy? The quality of the voices is...low? Am I off the mark on this?
I'm more concerned about the lessons. From what I see, you have to purchase a bunch of other stuff to make it work such as shaking eggs, scarves, etc. Just an added expense that I probably can't do right now. I also wish there was a little more to the lesson. I king of need hand holding. I am mostly looking for something fun to do in the morning with my almost 3 and 2 year old, with the olders joining in I'm sure.
Can you tell me how you use it besides just listening? We have plenty of CDs that fit that purpose so I was looking for so something a little different. Also, the songbook would be useless to me a pnd I wish the CDs had a track without voices instead that we could sing too. Anyway, those are my random thoughts. Thanks for your helpful response!
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If you buy the set it's really not that expensive. I think I paid about $100 for 5 CDs, 5 kid's books and the TM. My kids have listened to the CDs approximately a billion times so it's been well worth it for our family!
If you want something similar, you can buy from one of the companies that publish curriculum for teach young children. I have bought 2 sets of curriculum from Musikgarten and looked into buying from Kindermusic. There is also Music Together. Really, though these companies are more expensive and it's hard to even order as a non-registered music teacher. (Meaning someone who hasn't taken their classes and paid dues to teach their curricula.)
If you just want good music than I like the The Best of Wee Sing CD. The other Wee Sing sets have some great songs mixed in with mediocre songs. I also like Raffi and the Wiggles with Greg as the lead singer...not that I'm picky, haha, just a trained singer with a masters in music.
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I have a 6, 5, 2, 1, and 6 mo. My lifesavers are:
1. Morning room time- littles have a hour in their room or crib
2. Morning chores/routine
3. "territories" each child in charge of 1area of house and responsible for cleaning multiple times a day
4. Fold laundry at night, alone!
MFW compared to WP...
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
Okay, not to hijack my own thread, but ambleside has been mentioned several times to me. Problem is, I can't seem to figure how why everyone loves it! I've looked at the website, but feel like it would take a ton of time organizing it all and coming up with daily lesson plans. That is the attraction to MFW or WP for me. I'm learning I am pretty eclectic but want a little bit of handholding. Would you mind telling me HOW you use it and what a primary grade curriculum looks like, using ambleside? I may end up not buying anything at all, so am interested in this. I'm going back and forth between my head and heart. My head tells me to do nothing but the 3 R's next year (2nd and 1st), as many wise people have advised me on previous threads. But my heart says we need a little excitement around here, something that a gently program like MFW would provide.
Anyway, Ambleside ?????