Is SCM enough? (super long)

Hello, I’m a newbie to this board, but have been reading a lot of the info on the SCM site and message board for the past week or so.  I have tried to look through the archives to answer questions, but felt that I might benefit from posting too.  We’re getting ready to embark on our second year of homeschooling.  I have a dd (going into 8th grade – nearly 14), ds (6th grade – 11), ds (4th grade – 9), & ds (1st grade – 7).  For a little background, last year we used My Father’s World Exploring Countries and Cultures and MFW Kindergarten.  As a newbie homeschooling mom, I struggled with how quickly we got finished with our lessons (meaning where they learning and how could we be finished with school so quickly).  Of course as the year progressed, days went longer, but there were lots of times I wondered if they were really learning anything since the teaching was a lot different that I had experienced as a public school child and still shorter days.  I finally did realize that they were in deed learning, but still it was a lot different than any schooling I had experience with.  I hate that I compare everything with public school, but I can’t help it since that was how I was raised and then my three older children were public schooled until last year as well.

Naturally I figured we’d continue on the MFW cycle and use Creation to the Greeks with my older three for the upcoming school year with my youngest using MFW 1st.  I received the supplies last Monday and am less than excited about what I found.  I have looked through the books and the lesson plans briefly, but most of the books look sooooo boring to me.  I have read lots of praise about the curriculum and I know you can’t judge a book by it’s cover, but still I can’t help but second guess the path we’re taking.  Also, I’m starting to think ahead to high school and am second guessing MFW high school curriculum as well.  I have read lots of praise about the first year materials as well (even on this board), but I worry that my daughter will feel overwhelmed with all the work she has to do and the fact that it is all done independently.  She’s a very smart girl and works very hard to always do her best last year, but I think it will be too much for her.  My fear stems from the fact that she’s not a super strong reader.  She has some reading comprehension difficulties which I think come from her not fully immersing herself into a book unless it really interests her.  I can’t blame her for that, it’s hard for me to read a book I’m not interested and come away from it with much knowledge.  I partly blame myself for her reading struggles because I wasn’t raised in a book friendly home.  My mom didn’t read to us much that I can remember and I only read when I had to for school.  I am more of a reader now as an adult and enjoy reading with the kids, but still I don’t feel like I’ve set a good example for my kids until as of late and while we read lots of story books as they have grown up, I don’t feel they have had a lot of rich literature (i.e. lots of twaddle).

Anyway, yesterday I had her look at the sample pages for MFW 9th grade so I could get her thoughts.  I didn’t tell her about SCM before she looked at the pages.  I just told her I wanted her to see what potentially lies ahead for her and that her texts would ultimately be a decision daddy and I made together.  After she looked over the MFW, then we looked over all the SCM things I’d printed.  I showed her all the many different subject and explained that not everything is done each day.  She really liked the SCM schedule (as do I).  So the bottom line of my question, is SCM really enough for high school?

Last year we didn’t do any narration with MFW and only did nature study a few times.  I really want to incorporate all the aspects of CM into our daily lessons and have been intrigued by the CM methods since last fall when I started reading more about them.  The other night we were reading a few chapters from Mr. Poppers Penguins and I had them try narration for the first time.  They each took a turn going first and then the others followed up telling about the story what hadn’t been already shared.  I was amazed at how well it went and that they really enjoyed doing it.  It definitely seems to help concrete what they read into their heads!

I just keep coming back to why I teach my children.  Am I trying to mimic public school?  No, of course not.  I’m working to instill our family values in them and training up children to love and follow the Lord.  Of course I want them to do their best and grow in knowledge, but I want them to love learning and I’m especially afraid that using the MFW high school isn’t going to create a love of learning in my daughter.  I know I have a whole year to decide what to do for high school, but while I’m pondering that, I feel like I need some feedback on if it really is enough for someone who might go to college.  I hope a few of you have some wise words for me.  I feel like time isn’t on my side with my daughter at this point.  I wish I would have homeschooled from the start, but I can’t take that back and can only make the best of what we have left.  She talks about going on to college, but at nearly 14 she doesn’t know what she’s going to do with her life.

I really think we’ll take the plunge and use the SCM suggestions for this school year.  I would start at the beginning (Genesis – Deuteronomy) and if it ends up really fitting us and is academically enough for a college bound child, I’ll try to squeeze the remaining five years into four so my dd can have the full history before graduation.

One more question, I already have the MFW 1st and now I’m not sure what I should do with it.  Should I use that for my youngest for the reading and writing or put him fully into the SCM schedule?  I have only looked at it but briefly so I’m not sure how it will meld with SCM.  I can work on it with him when the olders are doing their independent work, but I didn’t know if anyone had any experience in that area.  My hubby said it would make sense to not use the MFW 1st and have him follow the SCM schedule.

Sorry this is so long.  My head hurts from all the thinking and researching I’ve been doing the past week.  I’ve read a lot of information on this discussion board (thank you to those who participate) and decided that maybe I should post my questions.  I’m starting to stress since we only have about 6 weeks until we’ll start the new school year.  I do feel more confident in my role as homeschooling mom now that I have a year under my belt, but I really don’t want to do my dd any disservice by shortcutting her educationally.

MelissaB