questions about MFW or history in general?

[olsenphilly]

Hello,

This is my first time ever posting, and I have been reading over many threads the last two weeks, and definitely feeling some of the confusion that I keep hearing about.
I have some questions about MFW, although I am still thinking about using TOG or something else, and have read the thread comparing these two at least 2x.
I am about to embark on teaching 1st grade to my oldest (6yr.), maybe do some K work with my 4yr. old ds and have two more dd's. My oldest is fascinated by people's stories, loves to discuss, as far as I can tell would fit into the global/conceptual learner described by Debra Bell.

1. Our ultimate goals for our children include Bible knowledge that we trust will work into their hearts as well. Then languages - Spanish/Arabic... and history and being able to analyze and respond well to what God has done in the world.

2. I really want to begin the history cycle with the ancients. So would it be reasonable to begin CtoG w/o having done any of their other programs? My dd does have a pretty good geography base.

3. Do the books from the list tie in with the history lessons, would they be comparable to some on the TOG list?

4. Is there any commentary provided to help with a worldview - like what I have seen for TQH (and really like)?

5. Does it cover other cultures, like China, etc. I know it does Egypt and Greece?

6. Do you find that events in history are correlated to Biblical history as advertised for MOH?

7. One, trivial question - I do not think that I would like to use Dinosaurs in Eden, is it an extensive part of the schedule?

Ok. I know this is a lot, and I would appreciate any feedback from those who may have used this program or can speak to my issues. Thanks.

Rachel

[AudreyTN]

Have you been to the MFW forums?

I'm using Adventures this year. I didn't want to start with anything else because of their ages. I think that Creation to Greeks is recommended that the oldest child be at least 4th grade.

[Sue G in PA]

Well, first of all...welcome to the board! I will try to answer some of your questions and give my .02. I'm not that familiar w/ TOG...just enough to know it intimidates me. :D This year is our first w/ MFW and we are using ECC and the K program w/ my ds5 and dd3 (she's just along for the ride). If you plan to do MFW and stick w/ it, the plan is laid out rather nicely and isn't too much different from the SWB's recommended history rotation (if you've read the WTM). Personally, and this is just my opinion, I wouldn't start CtG w/ a first grader. The MFW 1st grade program is such a wonderful program that I would start there. Then, MFW recommends Adventures, ECC and then the 4 yr. rotation of CtG, RtR, Exp1850 and 1850Mod. Adventures, too, is a neat program to introduce a youngster to American History. I'm bummed we won't ever do it, b/c my youngers will all just be "folded in" to the 4yr. rotation w/ my older children.

I wouldn't skip ECC even if your dc has a good geography base. It is so much more than just geography. There is a missionary study for each country studies that really opens a child's eyes to God's work around the world. I love how MFW ties that all together. So, it's not just about learning where Africa is, but about how God is working in Africa as well, see?

That's just my .02 and you'll get lots more opinions. We're all really good at that here. :D Your dc is young. If you really want to start w/ Ancients NOW, I would recommend MOH. We did that this past year and it was fun. I think it would be more appropriate for a 6yo than the recommended titles in MFW CtG (recommended for 3rd grade -8th). Good luck choosing! Many here love TOG.

[paula j]

I agree with Sue, I think CtG is too old for your dc. MFW is an awesome curriculum but it is pretty much set up to where the dc does ECC starting in 3rd grade and then goes through the rotation. I have heard that ECC give the child a great heart for God's people all around the world.

If you really want to study the ancients now then I would recommend Story of the World with the Activity guide. The guide includes maps, coloring pages, activities, and a great list of resources for each chapter.

Another great program that covers the Ancients in 1st grade is sonlight. It is alot more expensive than SOTW but it includes all the books you will need for the year. it is a literature based program and uses A Childs History of the World as the spine, it makes a really fun year.

[Donna A.]

1. Our ultimate goals for our children include Bible knowledge that we trust will work into their hearts as well. Then languages - Spanish/Arabic... and history and being able to analyze and respond well to what God has done in the world.

MFW has a very strong biblical worldview. They're also very strong on languages, as the author's family were Bible translators in Russia for 8 years (serving in Russia is all David ever wanted to be, and he began studying languages long before they actually got to go). They now serve with God's Word for the Nations, a Bible translation missions organization which is not well known because they were underground for so many years (specific especially to Russia and nearby countries). Much of MFW's sales profits go directly to Bible translation. You can find out more information about this on the MFW website, but you can rest assured that the Hazell's think globally and are not solely or primarily focused on America.

2. I really want to begin the history cycle with the ancients. So would it be reasonable to begin CtoG w/o having done any of their other programs? My dd does have a pretty good geography base.If your 6yo does the MFW 1st grade program, she'll get an overview of the whole Bible which of course includes some Ancient history. But I do agree with Sue's recommendation to do MOH volume 1 instead of CTG at this age, if you're really set on starting there right away. I also agree with Sue's assessment about ECC not just being "geography", as the program is very people- and missions- focused.

3. Do the books from the list tie in with the history lessons, would they be comparable to some on the TOG list?Well, *everything* MFW includes in their packages ties in with the history lessons. I haven't really looked at TOG's list because I got overwhelmed when I looked at their website and tried to figure out what I was supposed to do and how much it was going to cost me. MFW has the Book Basket (optional) list of more than 400 titles in the TMs (this is copyrighted information because it's part of the TM), and the way the list is set up coincides with the topics scheduled in the weekly lesson plans. So the answer is yes. ;)

4. Is there any commentary provided to help with a worldview - like what I have seen for TQH (and really like)?Oh yes. Biblical worldview and discipleship is what MFW is all about. Their viewpoint is that history is God's story, and therefore there IS no history without a Christian, biblical worldview. Marie offers insights and teacher tips throughout the weekly lessons, along with a heads-up when something graphic is coming up in an assigned reading, or something that needs to be summarized in your own words. Also, you will see only basic Christian doctrines taught throughout MFW... they do not put any denominational slant in their materials, so while they're basically discipling you and your children and teaching you how to have a servant's heart, they're leaving the doctrinal specifics up to you.

5. Does it cover other cultures, like China, etc. I know it does Egypt and Greece?Yes. You'll see book titles and lessons on these countries in ECC, RTR, Expl-1850, and 1850-Modern. I'm not sure about CTG because I haven't done that one, but I'd assume so.

6. Do you find that events in history are correlated to Biblical history as advertised for MOH?Absolutely.

7. One, trivial question - I do not think that I would like to use Dinosaurs in Eden, is it an extensive part of the schedule?I don't know the answer to this one.

[Donna A.]

If you really want to study the ancients now then I would recommend Story of the World with the Activity guide. The guide includes maps, coloring pages, activities, and a great list of resources for each chapter.

Another great program that covers the Ancients in 1st grade is sonlight. It is alot more expensive than SOTW but it includes all the books you will need for the year. it is a literature based program and uses A Childs History of the World as the spine, it makes a really fun year.

The only problem with this, Paula, is that the OP has expressly stated she wants a strong biblical worldview. This would eliminate both SOTW 1 and CHOW unless she does them alongside MOH 1, TruthQuest, or something similar.

Rachel, MFW does not use SOTW 1, but they do use SOTW 2, 3 and 4 in the later years. Here's a thread explaining some of that: http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?t=365

Also, Rachel, you might want to print out all the sample lessons from all the years of MFW and read through them in order. This helped me to see a little bit better the overall "big picture", and how one year builds upon another.

[Cadam]

Am I correct that your 6yo is your oldest?

If that is the case you would start with Ancients in a way. MFW first grade is Biblical history.

In second grade you would do Adventures in My Father's World which is some basic US history/state study. This program was introduced a few years ago. Before that People went right into ECC but it was too easy to push little second graders when they were oldest in the family.

MFW-1st and Adventures together creates a "mini-cycle" before the main cycle.

ECC is what covers other cultures, and does it well imo. I think you will really like this year.

In CtoG the Bible is the main textbook so yes, history is linked to the bible. You really can't extract them from one another. the new testament is studied in R2R because after all you are dealing with Rome and so was Paul!

There are book lists that correlate to the history study week by week but there is also a large book list of wonderful children's books in the back that are not connected to the history study, they are just good books.

So if you used all of the MFW programs this is what it would look like....

6yo/4yo - MFW-1st/ MFW-K?
7/5 - Adventures / MFW-K
8/6 - ECC/ 1st
9/7 - Creation to the Greeks
10/8 - Rome to the Reformation
11/9 - Exploration to 1850
12/10 - 1850 to Modern times
13/11 - ECC at a higher level using Advanced assignments and Apologia Science.
After this the younger kids continue in the cycle and the oldest goes on to the High School program.

[olsenphilly]

I am so grateful to all of you who truly put thought into all of my questions, and there is certainly almost universal agreement in your advice about certain things, so that really helps A LOT!

Thank you so much!!! I am going to re-read all of the responses taking greater notes in my head. :001_smile:

Rachel