My Father's World vs Sonlight

Discussion in 'Homeschooling' started by boonstamper, May 11, 2008.

  1. boonstamper

    boonstamper New Member

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    Hi All!

    I am just finishing up our 1st full year of homeschooling. So far, I've just pulled from here and there for our curriculum and haven't really found anything yet that I'm really excited about! I'm leaning towards Sonlight or My Father's World for next year. My oldest ds will be a 5th grader and my youngest ds will be a 2nd grader. For Sonlight I'm looking at Core 3 to do with both and with My Father's World I'm looking at doing Exploring Countries and Cultures with both. What are the pros and cons of each one? How about time issues...I run a home business with my husband and have to divide my days between school and work. Not sure how My Father's World stacks up as far as content...wanting to keep my 5th grader interested! How 'meaty' is My Father's World's science? Both dc love to be read aloud to and will read on their own when it is scheduled into their days but neither one will pick up a book to read on their own initiative. I'm a little worried about the read alone load of Sonlight burning them out...I'm trying to foster a love of reading in them!

    Any advice and insight will be appreciated!!!

    Thanks!
     
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  3. CelticRose

    CelticRose New Member

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    We don't use the full Sonlight curriculum. It is quite academic & time consuming imo. I use it for Enlish & their book list to supplement our history. However I too don't have a child who chooses to read but I have not found the reading schedule detrimental. Firstly any book dd really, really hates we ditch. Secondly reading time is simply a part of her day; most of her schoolwork is now reading. I have found the huge amounts of reading ~ nothing else, just the reading alone~ has really improved her writing & use of punctuation. She is seeing so much of it, reinforced by the worksheets, she is now unconsciously mimicking what she has seen. However she is 12, which is quite a bit older than your two. I didn't use Sonlight in the lower grades so am not sure how that works. I do know books are both easier & harder than grade level & mine reads many of them very quickly.
     
  4. jacqlyn00

    jacqlyn00 New Member

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    I used Sonlight's Core 1 and 2. I think most of the books were "mature" for the age range they suggest. I dont think my son learned as much as he could have had the books been more interesting... and upbeat.
    I am switching to Winter Promise this year because the books are seem to fit his age range better, and they schedule in activities and movies that go along with what your learning. (I think I'm really going to like this program.) My ds is advanced as far as his reading ability so it wasnt like Sonlights books were too hard to read.. it was the maturity of the books that got us. We may go back after a few more years and try Sonlight out again...
    I'd also do the 4 day program stretched out to 5 days because the amt of reading you have to do can be overwhelming.
     
  5. She

    She New Member

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    Both are good.
    If I had to pick I'd go Sonlight. I believe it cost a bit more than MFW.

    Basically, both programs pick curriculum out there and write your lesson plan for you. Ditch what you don't like.
     
  6. bunnytracks

    bunnytracks New Member

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    I have used MFW adventures in my fathers world and Exploring countries and cultures. I just ordered K last week. I really do love MFW. MFW has you use the library instead of buying readers (they have like 3-4 they ask you to purchase if you buy the deluxe but you can do without them...usually they are at the lib also) Only Con that I have found with MFW is that since they do it multi age there are somethings that need to be modified either harder or easier. I have never used sonlight. My neighbor did and got burned out with all the required reading. It was her first year homeschooling though and so she bought everything suggested and didnt skip anything for fear of her kids being behind.

    edited: science is the only thing that I have really ever had to modify. I print out worksheets from to help beef up science. we did models of the rainforests ect that were extra. So, yes sciece can be a bit lacking as is but they tell you upfront to utilize the library and internet to beef it up. they use alot of internet link usborne books that have good sites that the kids loved.
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2008
  7. rmcx5

    rmcx5 New Member

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    We're using Core 3 this year. I purchased it for my 4th grader and 2nd grader (who reads above grade level). My oldest LOVES it. We have not kept to the schedule and will be doing Core 3 & 4 for probably 2-2.5 years (because we've added VA history worktexts and read other books too).

    My 2nd grader was not quite ready for all the readers and prefers some used Abeka history readers so I switched her to that. I hope to use our Core 3 & 4 stuff with my youngest 2 in the future (son is finishing K and daughter finishing 2nd grade).

    Sonlight is wonderful for kids who love to read historical fiction, etc. Because my oldest loves it and reads well above grade level, she has chosen to read the read alouds herself (rather than wait on Mom). So far her favorite books have been the read alouds (specifically The Witch of Blackbird Pond). I can honestly say, I wouldn't have ever had her read it if not for Sonlight. It's one I've never read (but plan too). Her 2nd favorite was Johnny Tremaine (also a read aloud). She has liked every book she's read though.

    I have zero experience with MFW so can't help you compare them.

    As long as you were willing to modify for your 2nd grader, it can work. It just wasn't a good fit for my daughter yet.
     
  8. boonstamper

    boonstamper New Member

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    Thanks for all the great advice! Right now I'm leaning toward Sonlight...I'll let you know how it goes!
     
  9. Claraskids

    Claraskids New Member

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    Just had to pipe in with a vote for MFW. I run a full-time business from home as well; and I find that MFW fits well into the schedule. So much of it can be done with a wide range of ages that my daycare kids are learning right along with my dd. We are finishing up Adventures and will be doing ECC and KIND. next year.
    I had looked at Sonlight for quite a while, but my "wiggly" crew would never make it through that much "required" reading. It was a close second though.
    I do use a different math than MFW recommends and supplement the science (my daughter LOVES science); but otherwise have no complaints.
    Just my 2 cents.
     
  10. dalynnrmc

    dalynnrmc New Member

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    I have heard EXCELLENT things about MFW, and had I the money I'd absolutely use their products for the younger grades.

    We also tried Sonlight and found the readers to be a little above level for what was suggested. I have one who's usually ahead and didn't think twice about trying my 4th grader in a 6th grade curriculum, but the readers were WAY out of his leage. WAY.

    We are also switching to Winter Promise. :) If you're considering Sonlight, I highly suggest that you also check into WP!
     

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