Please share things you disliked about MFW's ECC...

[Mommy7]

I am considering it. I will be teaching 7th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and K next year. It appears very organized. I like that. I am not a big activities type of girl. Would that be a problem?

I am thinking that due to time and personal limitations, that I would forego some of the projects. Would that just ruin it?

I wanted to do some Geography with my 7th grader. She has had very little and to be quite honest, we could all benefit from that. (Mom included :D) I don't particularly like breaking up my history cycle, though. I'm not sure how all that would work out.

MFW ECC looks very interesting. On the other hand, if I just continue with what I am doing, any suggestions for a way to cover geography with the 7th grader? Maybe just a workbook or something? That doesn't sound very appealing, does it?

I would love to hear what you don't like about the program, so that I can weigh my options. One BIG concern is how long it would take to teach. I am set with my Math and English. I would use the Bible part for our family devotions, outside of "school" time. So, the question, really, is how long would it take to teach the geography and science part, with art occasionally thrown in?

Thank you so much. I have looked at that website until my head is spinning. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[Cadam]

ECC is a lot more than geography. If you just want geography then something else might be better. I like the looks of Mapping the world by heart as a separate supplement type thing.

We really enjoyed ECC. I didn't love the science but they have changed that a bit in the new version and a 7th grader would be doing Apologia General science anyway, so it would just be the younger kids doing MFW science. Since they have the extra stuff scheduled for older kids, that I haven't seen yet, I don't really feel qualified to tell you how it would work for that age group. Much of that 7th/8th grade stuff was always recommended, but now it is scheduled in. Since my oldest was 10 when we did ECC, I didn't pay attention to any of the Jr. High recommendations.

[razorbackmama]

If you are looking for ONLY geography, I recommend the Trail Guide to World Geography.

[Mommy7]

Well, actually, once I looked at the samples online I got really pulled in by their whole philosophy. I love the missionary emphasis. I loved all the things you guys listed on different threads about "what do you LOVE about MFW."

We have been using Veritas Press for history so far. I have enjoyed that, but one concern was the fact that geography is not covered. I also have not done a lot of science so far, so I like that being included. But, I would have an hour, tops, to teach the geography and science. We could do Art on the "light Friday." We would do the Bible part during our family devotions. Do you think I would have time to teach it? It's so hard to know these things when you haven't actually used something.

Thank you so much for your responses. I will check out the things you mentioned as well.

[Cadam]

Are you still trying to do the VP history on top of ECC? I will tell you that my 6th grader could do almost all of MFW on his own. I give him a copy of the weekly assignment grid and I put any student pages into his binder. In fact, next week, he will be doing it all on his own since he will be at his mom's for the week.

I don't know about it only taking an hour because that was a strange year for us logistically. If you follow the sample schedule that the Hazels have in the TM it has you done with all schooling by lunch time.

If you don't have much time, but the kids do, your 7th grader could do things like lead the geography game or some of the craft activities. The read-aloud missionary stories can be done in the evening before bed and things are easy to move around w/in the 2 weeks you are working on one country. If you have extra time one day do more reading or an extra project that is scheduled for later in the week or even the next week. If you have a busy day, push things off to a different day. If you got the basics done but none of the activities and your 2 weeks with the country are up; move on and don't worry about it!

[Mommy7]

If I do ECC, I probably won't do VP. The only thing I don't like about doing ECC next year is that it will interrupt my 7th graders history cycle. I don't mind that much for the others, as there is still time to get it all in for them.

I was planning to use VP's Medieval, R, & R next year. But, if I went that route, I would add Beautiful Feet's guide for her to do independently because I feel that 7th grade should be a bit more of a challenge than elementary in preparation for high school. Whatever I do for next year needs to be as independent as possible.

Would it be overkill to have her do BF's guide as well as ECC? I don't want to overwhelm her, but I did want her to cover the full spectrum of history before high school.

I'm not sure how much work is involved on the 7th-8th grade level with ECC. The lady I spoke with at MFW stated that it was a very complete curriculum, leading me to think she may think that it would be overkill to add anything to it.

Any thoughts? Thanks so much, btw!!!

Oh, one more thing...have you used MFW for K? I was considering it for my rising K'er.

[Cornerstone Classical]

I'm looking forward to the revised edition!:001_smile:

[Cadam]

If I do ECC, I probably won't do VP. The only thing I don't like about doing ECC next year is that it will interrupt my 7th graders history cycle. I don't mind that much for the others, as there is still time to get it all in for them.

I was planning to use VP's Medieval, R, & R next year. But, if I went that route, I would add Beautiful Feet's guide for her to do independently because I feel that 7th grade should be a bit more of a challenge than elementary in preparation for high school. Whatever I do for next year needs to be as independent as possible.

Would it be overkill to have her do BF's guide as well as ECC? I don't want to overwhelm her, but I did want her to cover the full spectrum of history before high school.

I'm not sure how much work is involved on the 7th-8th grade level with ECC. The lady I spoke with at MFW stated that it was a very complete curriculum, leading me to think she may think that it would be overkill to add anything to it.

Any thoughts? Thanks so much, btw!!!

Oh, one more thing...have you used MFW for K? I was considering it for my rising K'er.

I think it would be over kill but what if you just did SOTW on CD so she gets the overview before launching into history. I haven't used K but I plan to. The online sample doesn't do it justice.

[Julie in MN]

I am not a big activities type of girl. Would that be a problem?

I am thinking that due to time and personal limitations, that I would forego some of the projects. Would that just ruin it?

It looks like you've been homeschooling long enough that you will be comfortable pulling what you want from MFW and skipping some things.

I will just say that ECC in particular is a sort of "immersion" program where you "visit" each continent. So, skipping the geography games and everything hands-on could change it from "immersion in the world" to "workbook about the world."

I wanted to do some Geography with my 7th grader. She has had very little and to be quite honest, we could all benefit from that. (Mom included :D) I don't particularly like breaking up my history cycle, though. I'm not sure how all that would work out.

I agree that a foundation in geography is a great thing. It helps mom be a great teacher, too. I can't tell you how little I knew about geography before I started MFW, and how comfortable I am with it now, after 5 years.

Maybe just a workbook or something? That doesn't sound very appealing, does it?

Not appealing to me, and not likely to be retained - IMHO.

I would love to hear what you don't like about the program, so that I can weigh my options.

Can't help with that, sorry :)

So, the question, really, is how long would it take to teach the geography and science part, with art occasionally thrown in?

ECC is set up so school is done from 8 a.m. to noon each day, and that includes nature walks and other activities. One day a week is even lighter (for co-ops etc). So if you're leaving stuff out, it shouldn't take longer than that even using your own math & language arts. (7th-8th grade can take longer if you add the reports, the higher science and math, etc.)

A big warning, though: The first several weeks are heaviest, as you get the foundation stuff out of the way (what is longitude/latitude, etc). Don't panic and spread those week out if you like.

Thank you so much. I have looked at that website until my head is spinning. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Have you also searched their message board & archives?