Our School Curriculum and Schedule

A few friends have asked that I share what curriculum we chose.  For a variety of reasons, we decided to go with My Father's World.  

Here are some of it's features:

• It is an all-inclusive curriculum.  Meaning I didn't have to go shopping around to pick which math, which handwriting, which language arts, etc.  Considering our current slightly-chaotic lifestyle and that it's just Kindergarten, I liked that.  
• It is also Bible-based and Bible-driven.  When we made our list of "Whys" (why we are homeschooling), it became evident that needed to be the most important feature of our curriculum.  We are not just HSing for academics, but more to teach their hearts and mold their character.  
• It came highly recommended over and over again by seasoned homeschoolers we know.
• It turned out to be one of the most affordable.  We would have paid whatever, but the price was nice!  And, MFW gives a portion of it's profits to missions and Bible-translation.  
• On the MFW site there is a Message Board where parents share all kinds of ideas with each other.  It's great!

Here's the catalog and my teacher's manual (which I happily tabbed & labeled):

 Here's most of Connor's Kindergarten stuff, including the art supplies from the supply list given:

I ordered Connor the Deluxe package.  I am also ordering the Literature Collection, but that's shipping to ND and I will get the few books we need for the first few weeks from the library here.

Here's Keegan's preschool stuff:

In addition to the MFW stuff, there are couple of workbooks there that I picked up for Keegan.  I have a huge stack of more workbooks from the $1 section at Target that I bought last year and saved for him.

I will say, the catalog and the website do not show the content of the student workbook or teacher's manual, so I wasn't entirely sure what all I was getting, but I am pleased.  It's not fancy or high-tech, but the content is good.  There was a little prep work for me - I cut and laminated the ABC chart, cards, bingo cards and flash cards that we will be using over and over again.  And I have made a basic schedule for us to follow.  

The Kindergarten curriculum begins with 10 days of Creation lessons, followed by 26 unit lessons that take us through every letter of the alphabet (not in chronological order, but in an order that lays the foundation to teach phonics and reading throughout the year).  Each lesson has handwriting, phonics & reading, math, science, Biblical concepts, art and music that accompany the week.  Many activities include games and songs which will make learning fun.  The unit lessons are broken down into 6 days, but I intend to condense into 4 or 5 days a week.  The lessons only take 60-90 minutes, so we can go a little longer every day and really, Connor is a step ahead on reading, handwriting and his ABCs so certain activities will go faster for him.  

Our daily schedule is:

• Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer Time
• Calendar
• 100 Chart
• Math
• Reading Guide (which includes phonics, reading, handwriting, music and sometimes art)
• Activity Guide (which includes Bible, science, reading and art)

School starts on Monday and Connor is SO EXCITED!  I hope his enthusiasm doesn't wane as we go along!