Props for MFW!

Wow. I just happen to stumble across The Homschool Magazine Excellence Awards.

My Fathers World won a TON!

I think they are doing the 2007 awards soon. That's what someone had mentioned on the board (which is how I came across the whole thing.) I couldn't find anywhere about voting or anything. I'll update if I find it.

Anyway, here's what I found.

My Fathers World Placed last year:

#1 in Bible. (that's where it matters most you know!)
#2 in History. (that's the second place that was important to me)
#2 in Geography
#2 in Phonics (not applicable to me - yet)
#2 in Music
#2 in Overall Friendliness
#2 in Best Unit Study
#3 in Most Unique
#3 in Best Classical Resource

3rd Place in Best Overall Homeschool Co.

And, I had never even heard of it until this past year.

I wholeheartedly would vote for My Fathers World, because it really is that good. I think it would work for almost any family. It is VERY user friendly, which makes it easy to adapt for your own home and your personal situation. It is as flexible or as strict as you need it to be. Even though it isn't cumbersome with workbooks and schoolwork, there is a LOT of learning going on. Just enough hands-on that it keeps school fun and interesting, yet everything has been easily accessible and simple. Everything ties in so well as a good unit study should.

A good way to describe it is as a backbone to your homeschool. It gives you a plan to go by, but it also guides you every step of the way. It allows you to get "side-tracked" if you'd like for awhile, but it's there when you're ready to move on. It keeps you focused so you keep on track for where you want to go. It is by far the most usable and effective curriculum I have seen so far.

Yep. I like it. :-)

Since I opened the box, my every thought has been on this curriculum.

And, I really like it a lot!

My first thought as I began to read through the teachers manual was how organized it is. Then I began to see really how incredibly flexible it is. It has a main base to work from, but so much extra to add and choose (but not too much where you feel overwhelmed!!)

I love how everything is already there. I don't have to worry about trying to get more books. I will just visit the library every few weeks and pick out a few books that go along with the study. The projects seem surprisingly simple. Nothing TOO complex. A little out of my "convenience box", but I keep reminding myself my children are worth it. There are a few odd things to buy, but nothing too out of the ordinary. Beeswax, bendable wire, plaster of paris. And, actually those are not all "required" I let my son pick a few when the option was available.

What I like most about the curriculum is there seems to be a rhythm. So you get an understanding of what to expect. You can work with it a little once you know the system it seems. Add to this that it looks like most Fridays are light days, so you are able to change things around in order to make it a four day week (or as my case will most likely be, you can have a make up day to get caught up!)

I love the ideas I have read about ways to make it more fun for the children so that they are looking forward to going into the next country. Play pretend a little that you really ARE going. Set up an airplane with chairs and get ready to travel to your next destination. How fun!

So far, it looks like a really great curriculum. I only wish that I had started it sooner! Oh well.

Speaking of which, as I have been mulling over the weeks and have begun to plan, I'm realizing that even if I only take ONE generous break from middle of Jan-middle of March for baby, I will be starting at approximately the same time next year with CTG. That is if I don't take any breaks for moving into a new home (which I am anticipating sometime this year) or slacking off at all (which of course is just life!) So, that kind of bummed me out when I really saw that I was going to stay behind for awhile. Ohh Weelll...

In conclusion - buy this curriculum if you haven't already. (big happy face inserted here)