Sheila in OK Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I'm trying to figure out a plan for high school next year. (How did it get here so quickly? :eek:) I really like the looks of MFW AHL but it looks like a LOT--lot of $$ and lot of work. Of course, it is high school and it's going to be a lot of work, but I'm wondering if it would be simpler to just go with Notgrass and use their recommendations with Bible/Literature and call it good? Which would you say is more challenging, AHL or Notgrass on its own? Is MFW doable for a child that doesn't *love* school and has to be pushed a bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila in OK Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 Yikes! That is a lot. High school is really starting to scare me. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3byzaz Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I thought about doing that too. It was a LOT for me to spend on MFW. But, I decided that it was worth it for the schedule of MFW and all the books included. I guess I really did mostly get it for the Bible component. And, really that has been the majority of the work...they don't use Notgrass a lot - at least not yet. I think I could have done it on my own, but am glad that I didn't. I like the variety of what he has done. It has been light in parts for this ds...he is a very fast reader and has flown through MFW most of the time...there hasn't been any challenging writing assignments for him. But, that is just for this kid!! My other two will find it challenging and totally sufficient! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 My kids are doing Notgrass this year (Am.Hist) and they spend 2-3 (sometimes 4) hours each day on it. It's a lot of work. I don't know that I could combine MFW with it without driving them insane. (LOL) MFW uses only part of Notgrass in AHL. It's mostly used in WHL. During AHL, you read the first part of Notgrass, up through Greece. You don't do the quizzes. I think you use one book guide (Bubastes). The biggest text in AHL is probably the 39 books of the Old Testament. During WHL, you read most of Notgrass, or Rome through the present. You do the quizzes. You use more of the book studies. Notgrass is probably the biggest text during WHL. The samples online probably make more sense than me :) AHL page 10 grid http://www.mfwbooks.com/inc/pdf/ahlsample.pdf WHL page 15 grid http://www.mfwbooks.com/inc/pdf/whlsample.pdf I like that my son hears history from several authors. And I think we learn more by reinforcing the facts in different ways. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BakersDozen Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I like that my son hears history from several authors. And I think we learn more by reinforcing the facts in different ways. :iagree: MFW AHL was a perfect fit for my then-14yod. She loves reading and especially liked how each day required a variety of texts rather than one book. I love how much she has learned and now looking back can't imagine only using Notgrass without all the rich supplements MFW has to offer. If expense is an issue definitely watch/seek out those reselling! I've been fortunate to find pretty much the entire package (minus consumable materials) for half the cost of purchasing new. I used amazon to find what was missing for a fraction of the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori in MS Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I love the manual included in AHL, the daily grid of assigned work and instructions for each week. It is written to the student. My son has been totally independent this year except for some help with writing and lit. We have discussions of course, but for the daily work he follows the grid and just does it! This is worth the cost of MFW by itself IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisIsTheDay Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Sheila, my dd used Notgrass American history in 9th grade. She's always been a great reader, but she was bored to tears by the endless Notgrass text. I loved it and thought it was excellent, but it's not intended for 40-something year old moms. We also tweaked the curriculum, ditching Bible all together, and skipped most of the writing assignments, instead using a writing curriculum to round out an English credit. My ds will be in 9th next year, and I'm planning on MFW AHL. I think he will appreciate reading several different selections each day. There are a few books that I am already sure we will not be using. I have no doubt my ds will make up the work in other ways, whether it's reading an alternative book, finding a video online, or watching something on tv pertinent to the subject. I want to encourage you, with whatever you choose, to make the curriculum work for you and your student. Don't be hemmed in by the curriculum. You have the option to substitute books, to change the assignment, whatever you wish to suit your school and your child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbollin Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I'm bias for MFW. One thing that is nice with MFW is the planning is done. It's doable for the student because they can see what needs to be done each day. Get it done... and then like my oldest.. "can I hang out on facebook now and talk about The Hunger Games with my friends? can you believe L's mom let her read it too? no way". just saying even my strong smart first born sometimes doesn't like to do school. She'd rather be at Archery or church or on FB. Notgrass on its own will mean you and your student will do some planning each week to do "all" of Notgrass. The Notgrass chapters are short. Each day's reading is short. Then, the student is supposed to pick a topic from the unit and go read more on their own on the topic and prove to you they've read something by writing a 1-2 page summary of their history reading. You need to schedule and remind your student to do that. So if you go with Notgrass only, plan to schedule it. MFW schedules more reading on the topic than just the Notgrass section, and the proof is that you ask your student each week "what was something you learned in the Encyclopedia book. or Unwrapping Pharaohs" English - well... I don't want to get flamed for this. But I am still struggling to see the full high school level English credit in Notgrass alone. Yes, they read. and yes there are "history essays", but.... I mean.. I'm not one of these WTM super rigor people and I don't think it's complete in English with adding something, and MFW adds that something in doable ways. I really think the MFW plans are worth it. I know with my middle gal, I'll scale back AHL a bit (for example, Iliad is quasi optional in AHL, so she won't do that). But I'd rather scale back a little (take longer on essay) rather than add a lot to Notgrass for her. I already have the Jim Hodges Cat of Babustes audio for her. Bible audio is easy. loving the dramatized version. Yes, there are parts of AHL that are a lot to read on some days, but it's not like that all year every day.. so they can do it. I know my daughter "complained" about Odyssey yet at the same time she said "I want to do this. I can do this.. I just needed to whine for a minute." -crystal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila in OK Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 Wow, thanks for all the great ideas and encouragement! My first plan was to go with AHL; sounds like I should probably just stick with that. I appreciate the reminder to make the curriculum work for you--I tend to be an "all-or-nothing" kind of person and have a hard time doing that sometimes--I want to check off ALL the boxes. :) Now to start saving up the $$ for AHL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamajo Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I always look at resale value as well when I purchase a high priced item. MFW is always in demand. I'll be looking to purchase it next Spring and will be looking for a great deal :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallorie Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 If you buy it before the end of Feb. you can get the $4.95 shipping. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisIsTheDay Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 If you buy it before the end of Feb. you can get the $4.95 shipping. :) Ooh, thanks for that! I think I'm ordering this week to save myself $10, and I wouldn't have known if you hadn't posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila in OK Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 That is a great deal! I'm hoping to get our tax $$ by then. :) Ooh, thanks for that! I think I'm ordering this week to save myself $10, and I wouldn't have known if you hadn't posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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