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Do you add your own stuff to the modules?
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Books, activities? Just curious. I am debating between MFW and SCM Mod 1. I already have MFW from when my oldest used it but I do like the looks of SCM better, however it just seems “light” to me. I have a 3rd and 5th grader.
Just curious what other do…use it as is or add ons?
Thanks
Debbie
Module 5 is perfect for my 3rd grader but I have not used Module 1 yet so it might be different.
I would suggest using it for a few weeks as is and then re-evaluate if you need more.
I have never used MFW, but we have tried to use boxed curriculum before and it stifles my interest, as well as the kids because it is very schedule oriented, workbooky, and tend to not use the best of the best in literature. Our experience is completely different now that we use the SCM stuff…love the flexibility, the do-ablitity, and the enriching way it helps me teach my kiddos. I thought it felt “light” too, but after using Mod 1 for an entire year with a 4th and 5th grader, I am amazed by and love how much they retained and enjoy to this day. Loving the second year too! =)
I love SCM as it is, but what I really like it that I can tuck in things here and there as I want to and not feel overburdened and behind the schedule- by this I mean little hands-on acitivities, a movie, a field trip, an extra book, whatever I want. I have several things that are just fun to add to both the science and history books – and I would do this with ANY curriculum. It is just how I am, plus the fact that I know my kids and how to help them be excited about different subjects.
HiddenJewel gave you some good advice. Try it and see. It dosn’t cost very much and then you will know what path you want to follow.
I’ve just started mod 1 with a 3rd and 6th grader. I am doing it in 18 weeks instead of 36, and so far this is really moving along smoothly. We are not using the Oxford but have added two read-alouds: Tirzah which is a story that takes place during the Exudos, and The Diary of the Boy King Tut-Anhk-Amen. We’ve also replaced Letters from Egypt with A Sojourn in Africa (which just arrived in the mail, so I’ve not had a great look at it). My grade 6 student will be reading The Golden Goblet on his own, even though it is recommended for 7-9th, and my 3rd grader may sit in for Pharoahs of Ancient Egypt although it’s 4th grade and up (I probably won’t ask him to narrate, though). I have some hands-on projects planned such as making a senet game and mummifying an apple. I think as it is, the SCM Mod is fine, but doing a 5 year rotation allows my 3rd grader two times through. If 2 mods in one year (18 weeks each) seems too much, I’ll plan 3 mods over 2 year (24 weeks each). So far I’m finding Bible lessons easy to double up. I’ve had to adjust my schedule though, for History and Geography to accomodate my different resources.
I have finished Mod. 1 and am in the beginning of Mod. 2. I LOVE to add things to SCM. I’m not saying you have to. I’m saying that I personally LOVE to! I love the freedom SCM mods. provide in our day. If my day is overly packed, or we are running behind, or have errands to do I can just decide to do exactly as the SCM guide tells me. But if I feel like doing additional reading at bedtime, or if I find that I’m doing well on time and I want to add something in, I have that option. It’s fantastic! With other curriculum I used in the past I never felt that freedom. I also sometimes adjust the schedule to meet my needs. For example, if one day says to read two chapters of Bible, I may just read one but add in another book. Then on a day where we are supposed to read a history book on the schedule, I read that and the next chapter of the Bible so that we have Bible together almost daily. I love that I sometimes can skip narrations if I am in a pinch, and other times have them do written narrations or oral narrations, etc. We have the freedom to really make it work for us. Love it.
We’re using Module 1 (7th and 4th grader). I really love the simplicity of it, esp. w/adding depth w/other subjects for my 7th grader this year. The only thing we’re adding it biblical commentary and occasional movies from Truthquest. It’s simple and I feel thorough for ancients. We’re trying to move through ancients more quickly, so this is a great fit for us this year. HTH some:) Gina
Have used only Module 4 and now in Module 5, but had used Mystery of History previously. I agree with others. I love the way SCM Module lays it all out for me but allows room for adding in or substituting or whatever. If I find a DVD of something along the time in history we are studying, I have time for it. If we are going on a field trip to Jamestown and other areas in Virginia very soon (yeah!!!), I have time for it.
I also love, love, love that all of our DC are studying the same time period and will study each time period again (well except oldest who got started later in SCM and homeschooling). But he is an avid historian, so he reads all kinds of history on his own.
Did I mention I love the SCM modules?! Oh yeah, I already did LOL!
I logged on to ask some questions about Module 1 & decided to add on to this discussion. I am about 2/3 through Module 1. I am doing it with 6 1/2 year old (1st grade) with a 4 1/2 & 2 1/2 year old around the house sometimes listening. I like it and she is retaining more than I would have thought. We started last year and I left out the Letters from Egypt because it seemed to be too much (I admit I haven’t pulled it out again to see if she could handle it now.) She loved Boy of the Pyramid, but other than that it is mainly Bible & the commentary. The commentary worries me in its length, although she seems to be ok with it…I just feel like there should be more. I have had lots of friends singing praises of The Story og the World & have wondered if there is a way to fit it in with the Modules?? Also have had A Child’s History of the World recommended. I am spread pretty thin right now so I need things that I don’t need to spend a lot of time researching…I need my time to do the lessons…any advice??
I did MFW for two years and switched to SCM this year. I LOVE SCM! But I did tweak it. First, I combined the 1st three modules into one year, doing only the history portions. We read through the Bible seperately. And I chose to do the Ann Voskamp Geography from Module 2 as well, only I’m doing the book in its order, not the order in Module 2. I’m skipping the Module 1 & 3 geography.
Here’s what I’ve added.
- History Pockets (Evan Moor)–my children LOVE! They are elementary age, and they love projects.
- Mystery of History Volume 1 audio–we listen in our van, no set schedule, no testing, just extra. It’s fun when we get to a part the children already learned about with SCM and they make that connection.
- Three audio CD collections from History Revealed: Ancient Civilizations (AiG/Diana Waring)–excellent to listen to as well in our van; also extra. I’m such an auditory learner that I’ve found these really interesting.
- Classical Conversations Timeline cards (Ancient history)–to look over a timeline that we flip through weekly.
We began at the end of July, and it’s going really well! We’re almost done with Module 1 and expect to begin Module 2 in October. We’ll spend half the year on Module 3 since the history portions are 2 days/week.
I plan on using only Module 4 next year since the history portions are scheduled more often. Then I’ll add the audio CDs & timeline. If there are History Pockets for that time period, I’ll do those as well.
I’m finding SCM’s history richer than MFW with the living books. MFW also ties in science and art/music. We have really enjoyed adding a composer to listen each term while we work as well as doing the SCM Picture Study Portfolios. We read poetry every day, and we’re doing Apologia for science.
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