mtnmama wrote:My three year old loves doing the MFW Kindergarten program with his big brother. My five year old and I do phonics and Singapore Early bird Math while the little ones are napping in the afternoon. However, we are planning to finish K in March and take a break break until June after the boys have had their next birthdays.
When we start back, the oldest will be in 1st and I wonder what my then four year old should do. What is the 1st grade program like? Will he likely enjoy it? I have heard that it is much more complex.
Any recommendations will be welcome on how to either include or occupy a four year old for that time.
When I started MFW Grade 1 last February my kids were 6,4,3, & 1. We are almost to the end of it, and my kids are now 7, 5, 3, & 1.
The parts my 4 & 3 (now 5 & 3) have participated in for MFW Grade 1 are the following:
1. Bible readings (they listen to me read the Bible stories, and they also listen to Big Brother read the Bible stories from his Bible reader). We do Bible first for the school day, and it starts with me reading my dd3 Bible and she is able to listen to the Grade 1 & K Bible readings as well. There are days though the 5 & 3 are restless by the time we reach Grade 1 Bible. If this happens the shapes from the deluxe package from Grade 1 keep them occupied as they build geometric designs on the coffee table.
2. They participate in all science experiments & listen to any science readings.
3. They participate in drawing with their own pencils and paper. My dd3 can not do the drawing exercises but she likes to color.
4. Timeline: they often watch me put the next person on the wall and hear me talk about it.
5. I also read-aloud books to my kids for all their levels.
6. They participate in all of the hands on activities that we do.
The parts of Grade 1 MFW my 5 & 3 don't do, and what they do during it:
1. Math, Student Notebook time (Spelling/Reading/Phonics/Handwriting), Bible Notebook time.
So what do they do:
Puzzles, drawing, play-doh, geometric wooden shapes, Lauri toys, toys, & play.
The challenge is the younger ones can start wanting/needing attention. The more independent the older becomes, the less this is of an issue. When he was 6 last year it was a big issue. I learned to stop, get a snack for the young ones, and then try to pull the older ones attention back to his work. It is best if the older one finishes their work before the younger ones need too much. I find the earlier I start in the morning the better. When they are all rested the younger ones are more likely to do puzzles and toys and drawing on their own which gives me the time I need to teach reading & math to my older son. After my older son is done I do phonics & math from K with my second son, who does better after play time.
I also do school at the dining room table, which is on one side of the kitchen, and the toy room is on the other side of the kitchen. All of the learning toys and puzzles are in a closet and cupboard close by. This helps A LOT! When I need to help them switch activities I can do so easily.
You will do great!
Posted Mon Nov 22, 2010 9:06 pm by gratitude
I am using MFW Grade 1 & K and they are very easy to do together. The work load is not high for either one, so both of them at the same time is more than manageable. My greatest challenge is doing all of this with 4 kids ages 7 & under; the work load though is fine for these ages.
MFW is very Charlotte mason focused from my understanding of Charlotte mason. It has a nice variety of narration & note-booking that my ds and I have both really enjoyed. We add in a lot of living books to the program; but we aren't to the programs with the book basket yet. My understanding is the book basket recommends a lot of great books to read.
MFW also of course ties in a lot of Bible in Grade 1; it really has been wonderful to go from Creation to Jesus with the Grade 1 program!
Postby gratitude » Wed May 29, 2013 4:53 pm
Welcome to Home schooling!!
For first grade I would recommend MFW First Grade program. For Kindergarten I would recommend MFW Kindergarten program. The first time I did those two programs together I wasn't doing any children older than first grade and they went very well together.
I hope that helps some!