Michelle,Michelle in Florida wrote:I am going to used Adventures next year for my second grader and would love to use it throughout their school years. However I have read or feel that is it very light in the Science and such. What I mean is I want to make sure they have a strong foundation in all subjects.
So for those who have used this for several years do you find your children are on the same page as someone who went to a public school (in the same grade). I know that with MFW there is a global view that most Public Schools don't have. I guess I am a little worried about my kids falling behind if we were to stick with it. Some of the books seem really young to me in the older grades and while I know there is valuable info in them I worry they might get bored with it. And I know a test isn't proof either but I want my children to succeed in life too. Maybe my mindset is all wrong. I guess what I need is reassurance that kids following this program have or will get into college.
And on a side note: What makes this program so valuable that you would stick with it throughout the years (besides the biblical approach-I would agree with you on that)?
I really like this program and I want to be able to justify my answers when un-supportive family members question me. hank You in advance
Michelle
Lots of fun questions you ask. I'm wondering if you plan on going to l convention -- you'll be able to talk with them and see the products and see the progression.
I’ve been using MFW since 2003 when God put it in my path. I never know where or how to begin when someone asks me why I plan on remaining with MFW for the long haul. I just start crying and then my brain goes and I sound all weird.
It is an answer to prayer. It is doable. It is well researched and well thought out. The author, Marie Hazell, brings her years of experiences as a classroom teacher, speech language pathologist, Bible translator, and being a mom to this whole program. She isn’t just tossing stuff together. MFW tests their programs with many families before releasing it on the general market. Their kids are smart and getting into college on scholarships!
Ok – science. My dh has a phd in chemistry and spent 12 years a research scientist in a university. We really like how MFW is doing science in the early years. It is a time of exploring. Yes – it is “light” compared to doing 5 days worth of science every week. But it is rich in several ways. You have the student doing hands-on experiments and learning some facts about general science. You add in library books to enrich the lessons. You have your child do the experiments and learn processing skills of science.
If all that you were doing was reading a little paragraph from an Usborne book --- then that would be too light. But, you are reading some basic information, then you do an easy-for-the-child-to-do experiment. Then you talk about the results and draw conclusions. And, then you add to the reading time with library books.
In ADV, the science is related to the Bible study as much as possible. One example: You learn Jesus is the bread of life in Bible. Then in Science – you learn about bread, yeast. AND you can bake a loaf of bread together. (If you need an easy to do recipe, ask over here. I have an easy to do One hour Dinner bread recipe --- easy.) And on that week, maybe, read a fun story together. Maybe that particular book is light --- but you know, with all the work you did making the bread, it balances out quite nicely. See – that lesson is also a home economics lesson.
That year, the science is broad in scope. (Breadth over depth for elementary years.)
As you progress in the years, the science is more and more and more. In the year I am doing right now (Exploration to 1850), I’m waiting for it to be light again in science. It’s still doable. But don’t worry --- your 6th grader will be doing more and more than when they were in 2nd grade. It doesn’t stay at the same level as your children get older.
Same thing with history, and writing, and everything else. It is a gradual increase as each child gets older. But, still written so that a younger sibling will not be lost. The teacher’s manuals give you ideas of how to adjust for younger siblings. In MFW high school programs, it is college prep.
So why am I remaining with MFW for the long haul --- beyond the well researched process? Because I want to train the heart and mind of my children. I want both. MFW has a long term road map for it.
--crystal