I am looking at using MFW for my DS that will be 6 in Nov. We would be starting it this fall. I am not sure if I should K or 1st. He isn't "ready" for 1st according to their placement chart but I think he may be past K. This year he has been doing the R&S A-I books, which he loves. He has also been doing Singapore K math and ARFWriting K. He knows his letters and sounds of short vowels, most of the time but isn't even beginning to blend them. So, given this information, for those that u se MFW, if it was you, would you use K or 1st. Let me just add: MFW gets so many mixed reviews, can you also give me your pros and cons of K and 1st? Thanks!
I think I would go with K. 1st moves pretty quickly into blends and diagraphs, etc. K does a lot of blending practice, so even if he knows the sounds, he'll be getting practice with what he needs. I really loved both the K and 1st curriculum. Pricey, but totally worth it. I didn't get as much out of it as I would have liked because I was doing 3 levels at the same time (K, 1st, and ecc) but if you're using it with just one, I think it would be great.
Tiff, If I am really just wanting it for the phonics, because he can (but doesn't have to) do science, bible and history with his big brother, do you still think it would be worth it? Or should I just fine something to do phonics with him and combine him with his brother for the rest? Does that make sense?
We have used MFW for K and 1st. We are currently hovering between 1st and Adventures (2nd), waiting for little hands to catch up in dexterity! I have been very pleased with MFW. I am typically a "no curriculum please, I'll make my own" type of person. But the reality is my time and inspiration fall short often. This curriculum has been a great fit for that aspect in that it is flexible, yet organized. I can do it exactly "as is" or go off on a tangent that takes days or stretch it out to meet the needs of a younger or slower learner. My dd has been a "schoolie" from the start. An extremely early communicator and "old soul" that understands so much "in between the lines" info that it blows me away sometimes. However, she is also a kid and doesn't always want to do work (handwriting) or gets discouraged when something doesn't go as easily(math). MFW has allowed us to start very early 3 1/2 for K and progress at our own rate. At the beginning of the year it appears hopeless that we could possibly do a full days work in one day, but by the end of the year we are in our groove and sailing through. Now having finished K and 1st, she is a fabulous reader! She is also very intuitive about history topics. We are competent in math, handwriting and science. I love that Bible is the core, not just a "subject.". I love the simplicity (that some mistake for "lightness") that allows flexibility and less distraction. I would have liked a bit more handholding in 1st grade math. I think it is plenty in reality, but I struggle with feeling like ive covered it all. They have just redone the 1st grade stuff, so that issue may have been addressed in the update! All in all I give it a thumbs up and plan to continue using it until it doesn't fit us (if that ever happens)! HTH!
I have not used MFW for K or 1st. I used the Exploring Countries and Cultures (which I will probably use again when my youngest needs a full geography course). Pros to MFW, it's all planned out and you can buy a package that has everything you need for it. Cons it's all planned out, and if you can't stick to someone else's schedule, it gets frustrating! LOL That's me. Control freak. I LOVED content. I didn't like the schedule. I don't like being told how to do things! I think that's why I'm a homeschooler. HA HAH A!!!!
Okay, if you're just wanting the phonics I think I would use something different. It's too pricey if you're not planning to use it as the full curriculum, IMO. My ds7 is using CLE 1st grade this year and I REALLY like it as well. He was an in betweener at the beginning of this year. He had already completed the MFW K, but I didn't think he could keep up with MFW 1st. I really like CLE's pace. They do go through the letters and sounds at the beginning, but they also give them sight words and let them read "real" stories, beyond "The fat cat sat on the mat." It also teaches the spelling rules and penmanship. And, it's way cheaper than MFW-The Learning to Read will cost you $150ish if you choose to get everything they offer (some of it you don't really NEED, like the extra practice sheets or the word flash cards). MFW will cost you about $215 for the basic package which comes with a lot of stuff you wouldn't be using for phonics. Not sure how much MFW would be if you just ordered the reading stuff individually. I think CLE would be my choice if it was only for phonics and not the other subjects.
I agree, if you just want the phonics because you want to combine him with an older sib for the other subjects that you should find an alternative phonics program for him. We tried MFW K but I had a few issues - one like someone above I don't do well following other people's directions, two my son was already a fluent reader and the phonics were like three steps back for him so it seemed like a silly waste of time for me. Loved the science content but those other two things caused me to stop using it mid year.
I am not sure I want to combine, I was just asking. Do I need the Deluxe Pkg. for K or just the basic? Anyone have the K for sale?
I will look and see what I still have. I know they have redone the teacher's book recently, so I don't know how the new student sheets would go with the TM I have...I'll get back to you, probably in the morning after I have a chance to look through my shelves.
Thanks! From what I have read, I would need the new guide to go with the new sheets and it is suppose to be much better. But if you have the letters, flash cards, or anything else, let me know. I am thinking that if I start it now instead of waiting until the fall, I might not feel like he is beyond it.. However, I need to save every penny I can because it's not really in the budget. If I have to purchase it new, is the basic package enough?
Never mind looking! I would need the 2nd Ed guide and just buying it and the student sheets cost more than buying the basic package. Wow, that doesn't seem quite right. So now I just need to know if the basic package is enough?
Looking at it, it seems that the extra stuff in the deluxe package is all for science and math. I think the basic package would be enough. The What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs is only used for one week, we never even ordered the ants or the caterpillars (I keep telling him we'll do it this spring...), For the Children's Sake is a parent book on the Charlotte Mason method (I never finished it), we got a different music CD when we bought ours, but wasn't really a big part of the curriculum, and the Cuisenaire Rods with the alphabet book were really difficult for DS to manipulate and frustrated him. I'd save the extra $80 and go with the basic package.
The ants and caterpillars can often be found cheaper on amazon. I would go with the basic package personally. And we were able to borrow the Dinosaur book from the library through inter library loan.
Thanks for the help ladies! I already have to dinosaur book and the only other thing I think I would want up front is the Cuisenaire Rods with the alphabet book. Does anyone have those two things they would like to sell?
We just did the basic sets. And while I occasionally wished for the extras, I don't think it has hurt us to skip or substitute something else! Enjoy!
