Not much time to respond, but we use the sonlight timeline book with MFW. It works great. Love the peel,and stick stickers they use. I think you could use the Sonlight items with any history program and start at any point, since you will eventually cycle around and fill in the book.hope that helps!

We are doing Adventures with my second grader, and his two younger siblings will tag along as they wish. I think it is a perfect amount for a 7/8 year old. Not sure why it would be considered too light by others? I am actually having the opposite worry....that there is too much to try and cram into a measly nine or so months! There is so much great reading to be done this year! The book basket selections are really good. I have also studied Sonlight and HOD book lists for American history selections and added some of them as well. I have bought quite a few titles used in our public library, local homeschool store and half.com. I am also going to introduce more music that is appropriate ( period folk songs, spirituals, hymns written by Early Americans, etc. ) and play that playlist with the other cd's MFW provides. We have the Draw Write Now books that correspond to American History as well, and will fit those in whenever possible. I feel like we actually have enough ( especially with all the historical fiction) to last us for two years, but we'll see how it's going using the proscribed schedule at first. My thought is that just as written, it is quite a full program. If you follow MFW Facebook groups and add some of the other mom's ideas for add-ons....it is positively overflowing!!

She can always call the office for guidance. They have been very helpful, in my experience. Usually, they would suggest that a new family start out with Exploring Countries and Cultures. They may also encourage your friend to purchase the first grade program for the first grader, as that year is meant to provide a solid phonics foundation. Of course, she could also just purchase a phonics, handwriting, and math program for the first grader ( such as maybe Rod and Staff and Singapore) and then combine the two kids for everything else possible.

I'm thinking that MFW or Heart of Dakota might be a good fit, with MFW being easier to combine. We have used MFW for three years now, and it is a very good fit for our family.

Thank you for your encouragement. It challenges me.....in a good way. I hadn't thought about out-sourcing in that light. I am pretty sure I will need to out-source from algebra on, but at least for now, I can work with him, and learn with him. Thanks again!

Thank you :) .

Hmmmm....interesting! I thought maybe the manipulatives would appeal to someone with HFA. Maybe the answer is to let him try out different ones. Did you borrow them from friends? Are there samples online to download?

Hi, my son just finished MFW first grade and we'll start MFW Adventures in a couple of months. I am having second thoughts about Singapore Math, which is what MFW is recommending for next year,because it seems to be a very conceptual math curriculum. My son, who has high functioning Aspergers has a hard time with concepts. I am worried that all the mental math and the "many ways to solve the same problem" approach might confuse and frustrate him. But....I know it is such a rich, in-depth approach and I don't want him to miss out. I want him to have the strong math foundation that I didn't have! So, does anyone have experience with an Aspie and which math program really worked well? I am wondering about MUS as a substitute for Singapore? Any other suggestions? Another thing I should probably mention is the fact that teaching math pretty much terrifies me, because I was a remedial math student....I had and have a real mental block about math. So, I need a program that is user -friendly for a mom who has a big weakness in this area. At this point, it is not really a problem, but not too many years hence, it will be, and I would like to lock into a curriculum that I can use (maybe one with DVD instruction) when I am over my head :) . I would welcome any suggestions any of you might have. Thank you in advance!

Oh, and if those ladies you know have some Marigold pieces (or shamrock) they would be willing to sell, and would be willing to ship, let me know!! :) Eta: sorry for the double post!

Oh, and if those ladies you know have some Marigold pieces (or shamrock) they would be willing to sell, and would be willing to ship, let me know!! :)

I don't know.....Fiesta is heavy and postage has increased. But, I do know that the people who are selling it on ebay are making a big profit, between marking the seconds way up, and then making a bit more on the shipping and handling charges. If I lived close, I might make a little home business of selling seconds at more reasonable prices. There are a couple of sellers who seem to be more fair, though.

You are such a lucky duck! We live in the Houston area, and though I think about going to one of the sales there in WV, but then, the money we saved at the outlet would be spent ( and then some!) in traveling expenses! Enjoy your dishes :) . And if there is anyone you know who would be up to doing some personal shopping for a small profit sometime, please let me know!!

To answer your question, no, I wouldn't use a 2 nd grade curriculum which dwelled on war, death, and the evils of humanity. So, I think your instinct is on the money! And this is coming from a boy mom whose children are quite fascinated by war and weapons ;) ....I try not to encourage them getting fixated there! That is one reason why I like MFW Adventures for second grade. It focuses on the positive aspects, and deliberately leaves the more mature subject matter for later in the history cycle when children are (IMO) better able to process such topics. I hope you find just the right curriculum for your family!

Thanks, FFH. The housecleaning idea is a fabulous one! No, I do not have family around who can help with babysitting, but hiring a mother's helper may be a good idea, at least for the beginning when it sounds like things are crazy with appointments out the wazoo! I have been thinking of adopting for years....actually even since before I got married. I see the need, and it compels me. I also, selfishly, want a daughter! As for waiting till my kids are older? That is not feasible if I am to take in a very young child since I am not a spring chicken! It's now or never ( to parent a baby, at least! ).

I have heard this before, about the State Workers concealing info. that could stand in the way of placement. Very unfortunate...especially when others ( including the foster child ) have negative repercussions because of that concealment. I have a friend who is a MFC and who used to work at a group home who tells me she could never foster adopt because of what she knows. The risks are too high for her. However, I know that there are risks in any kind of adoption...even domestic infant adoption has it's risks due to possible drug/alcohol exposure and mental health issues in the birth family. So, I have to be ok with some amount or risk if we are to adopt. I won't put my bio kids at risk, and so for that reason, the under 24 month age range seems best for us. We will pray hard and I will practice saying "no" ;) .