I'm going back and forth between a few curriculum options for my kids next year, who will be kindergarten and 1st grade level in the fall. I'd like a curriculum package because I'm having a baby in the fall and won't have much prep time. I've been looking over Heart of Dakota's Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory and MFW's 1st grade program lately. They seem similar in style and price. Has anyone used either of these programs, and would you recommend either? Thanks!
We are using MFW 1st and also MFW K this year. I love them both. The only thing about MFW 1st is that it moves quick. MFW K does a lot with CVC words and several sight words, so the 1st curriculum doesn't spend much time with them. My dd7 has done well with it, but I think it's going to move too fast for my ds5. Just depends on what your child's level is. Also, I don't really recommend the math book that they suggest. It's more like a supplemental workbook that you might use in the summer to review or something. I would look into something a little more in depth.
Oh and also, I don't know if you would be able to really combine the 1st and K kids together with the 1st grade curriculum. Maybe if your dd4 is really strong with letters/sounds and at least some sight words. It jumps into long vowels, blends, and diagraphs pretty quick.
I didn't like 1st grade MFW. I agree, it moves too quickly, and my dd ended with a fear of books. I used A Reason for Spelling and A Reason For Handwriting instead. A Reason For Spelling also has phonics as well. My dd loves this book and is now reading very well. MFW, 2nd grade was great and plan on using it for 3rd as well.
I have a friend whos LOVE MFW (except K, she thought it wasn't enough), but I've been afraid of if, because she is a defintite school-at-home type (and that's OK, but it's not ME). Hearing her talk about it overwhelms me, though I love the look of it on the website. I really like the look of HoD, but there is no high school level curriculum. I could put the younger 3 in HoD and the highschooler with something else, and I'm considering it.
I just got my HOD order yesterday, and I am really looking foward to starting it in a few months. The main draw for me was the lesson plans. I love that I don't have to come up with a plan for the day. I love that we get to read together, and I get to keep my kids working together. And I love that I can afford it! the books in the package look so good, I've been reading them myself! My kids are older, 8 & 10, so I went with Preparing Hearts for His Glory. I wish I had started with BLHFHG when they were little.
Thanks for the input. I'm leaning toward HOD because I can teach both my kids using the same level, but I am considering MFW because I love the look of the 2nd grade and above curriculums that they have. I just wasn't sure about MFW 1st grade, mainly because I would have to do a separate kindergarten curriculum with my DD and because they didn't seem to incorporate much literature. Hmmm....you've all given me good advice to consider. Thank you!
Okay, so I just went online AGAIN to look at MFW, and I noticed something I hadn't noticed before. They provide literature recommendations for read-alouds and even math to supplement in MFW 1st grade. Those of you who've used MFW 1st grade, are these recommendations helpful and easy to find at the library? Thanks again ladies!
