There is a lot of flexibility.
I have never started a MFW curriculum in August or September, and I don't think I have ever started one on a Monday. The days of the week are not even on the grid; neither are the numbered day of the year.
A few things I do:
I don't start a new week until the last week is finished. If it takes me more 'school' days to do a week worth of Bible, science, history, etc. I keep going with math & LA on those extra days.
We found MFW in January of 2010 so I have never been able to start a program in the fall.
Answers to other questions:
*If you don't end up liking ADV you could ship it back in the first 30 days; just don't write on the TM and don't open the student sheets until you are sure that you want to use it.
*Oh, I would encourage you to give it a try. If you keep coming back here your interest is strong. Pray about it and see if the Lord opens the door.
*I haven't always used MFW. In many ways I wish I had, it would have been easier.
*I switched from SL to MFW 1/2 way through my oldest K year two years ago. I tried HOD this past fall, and came back to MFW this month. I am very GLAD to be here.
*MFW is Bible based, which is the main reason I use it.
*It is planned out. Yet, there is a lot more freedom in it than the other two curriculums I used. One of the things I like about MFW is that it leaves wiggle room. The book basket alone allows me to pick books for my kids. The schedule isn't so packed that I can not implement book selections that I really want them to read. I get to pick their readers. Then the hands on activities take some creativity from me. My most recent is the middle of paper towel rolls and taped paper to make a 7 foot long scroll. My kids loved them! I ended up having to make 3. I am sure everyone on here has slightly looking different projects tailored to their kids; but that is part of the fun of MFW.
*Would it be possible to go to a convention this spring and see it in person?
There really is a lot of flexibility to MFW. That is one of the things I love about it, and that works for me. I feel like I can tailor it to my children, and it requires me to teach.
It would be great for you to look at a program. Keep in mind though that it is always much different to use a program, than to look at it. I never really find out what a program is truly like until I dive in. MFW is my breath of fresh air in home schooling.
I too encourage prayer. Blessings for your decision.
P.S. One more thing. On the workshop that Melissa mentioned David Hazel gives his scope and sequence for Bible. MFW has a scope and sequence for Bible!

It is one of the things I truly love about them and their program. I want my children to learn to read using a Bible reader, to learn ancient history with the Bible as the history spine, to memorize the book of James, to study every word of scripture in high school. These are good intentions that I know will get done since they are in our school day. If I had to add them in, and finish an entire other curriculum, I think it would be challenging to get it all done. Now I know it is in the plan and by their Junior Year of High school they will have truly studied the Bible in its entirety. It is nice to have it planned out ahead of time for me. It meets my top goal in the plan so that 'other' things aren't distracting us from our main goal. Does this make sense? In a well thought out well rounded academic curriculum we can fit in our goals.
More on this topic: Posted Sun Jan 29, 2012 3:09 pm by gratitude
We just returned to MFW after 3 months with HOD. I noticed many differences between the two programs.
One difference was that in HOD everything was done for me. So the program was going to be what the program was going to be. I only had to implement exactly what was written in the TM. The questions and discussion were even done for me. So I think this fact would even out the experience people have with HOD. The experience with the program isn't dependent on what mom does. As long as mom follows the TM the program will be what it is as written. Does this make sense?
I see a lot of varying reviews on MFW too. I think one of the reasons is that Marie leaves more freedom for mom to individualize the program to each persons family. The program is partly dependent on mom. You may want to read the thread that is on what people love about ECC from last week or so on the board. I think these moms that had a great experience in ECC did the entire program and added books in with book basket and put themselves into the program. Does this make sense?
http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php ... 271#p82271
I know I have found in ADV that I have to put some of myself into it to make the most out of it. The program can be as much or as little as I make it. If I do all of the program as written and book basket and all of the hands on it can be very full indeed!
I guess the other thing I would add is that it does partly come down to personal preference. I love the fact that MFW has Bible everywhere, uses Bible as the spine in CTG, memorizes the entire book of James in EXP1850, and goes through the entire Bible in high school. These things are very important to me. I really missed the Bible integration throughout the program and daily readings directly from scripture in MFW while we spent 3 months with HOD. In MFW Bible is everywhere. I really did miss the Bible integration. MFW always brings a breath of fresh air into our home school for me and keeps our eyes focused on Him without so many distractions.
I hope this helps a little..