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graciefaith Forum Pro
Joined: June 08 2006
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Posted: April 13 2007 at 8:13pm | IP Logged
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I'm thinking of using this with my dd next year. I would buy FL Grade 1. Has anyone here used it for that grade and how did you like it? Is there something else, something better you can suggest, if you did not like it? I will also have an almost 5yo so maybe something i can use with her as well.
For this year i bought Seton Kindergarten Catechism and well, it was pretty dry and boring.
I'd like something solid but not totally boring either. Thanks! You ladies are a wealth of information!
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momwats8 Forum All-Star
Joined: July 20 2006 Location: Florida
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Posted: April 13 2007 at 10:26pm | IP Logged
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I love our Faith and Life series. We use it for all grades. My first grader now finds it wasy to follow along with. I think you will like it alot.
__________________ Mary- Wife to Mike and Mother to Austin(92), Mikey(95), R.J.(97), Benedict(98), Kolbe(00), Ignatius(02), Christian(03), Margaret(05),&4 angels in heaven
http://www.momwats8.blogspot.com
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graciefaith Forum Pro
Joined: June 08 2006
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Posted: April 13 2007 at 10:31pm | IP Logged
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Thank you for your reply! Did you purchase the student book, activity book and teacher manual? I'm hoping i can do without the manual since that seems to be the most expensive but i will buy it if i need it. Thank you!!
Any suggestions on something for my almost 5yo? Thanks!
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Cheryl Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: April 14 2007 at 5:56am | IP Logged
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I used all three books with my oldest when he was in first grade. We only made it halfway through the activity book. For second grade we are only using the student text and I like it much better this way.
__________________ Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
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mom2mpr Forum All-Star
Joined: May 16 2006 Location: N/A
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Posted: April 14 2007 at 6:11am | IP Logged
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We love it here! It prepared ds for FHC so well. Chapters are short and get right to the point. DS enjoys the activity guide. I only used the activity book and text for second grade. This year, third grade, I am finding I need the TM and need to go buy it. I am learning too The third grade text is a little "thick" and I need to be there to go over things with him--hence, I need the TM!! I think it was a pretty big "jump" intellectually, how they present things, from second to third grade. The note to parents mentions this, just so you are aware.
Anne
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momwats8 Forum All-Star
Joined: July 20 2006 Location: Florida
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Posted: April 14 2007 at 8:29am | IP Logged
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You really do not need the teachers manual until they are older.
They do prepare them very well for FHC.
We do a lot of the activity book stuff orally and he loves it. He especially likes the word searches and coloring pages in the activity book.
__________________ Mary- Wife to Mike and Mother to Austin(92), Mikey(95), R.J.(97), Benedict(98), Kolbe(00), Ignatius(02), Christian(03), Margaret(05),&4 angels in heaven
http://www.momwats8.blogspot.com
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Bookswithtea Forum All-Star
Joined: July 07 2005
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Posted: April 14 2007 at 9:24am | IP Logged
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Oh dear...I don't mean to be disagreeable, but we have found F and L to be terribly boring and schooley, although the information is solid. I don't use it with young children at all.
I would recommend Catholic Mosaic (great for both ages you mentioned and for years to come) along with memorizing some prayers, some scriptures (in song is the best way), and celebrating the liturgical cycle in your home. Oh! And we like the Treasure Box books at this age, too.
Just another .02...
__________________ Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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mom2mpr Forum All-Star
Joined: May 16 2006 Location: N/A
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Posted: April 14 2007 at 12:09pm | IP Logged
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Books,
I was surprized ds liked F&L--it is "schooley"--and he is NOT into that type of stuff. Someone at F&L is praying their books "touch" someone :) He likes it better than our parish provided Faith First-I think too wordy and watered down for him. He also enjoys the Treasure Box I read to dd--had to buy the second set this year-I wasn't sure it was going to fly but they both love it! We also fill in with a few Catholic Mosaic books here and there when someone mentions one on the forums in relation to our liturgical year.
I need F&L for my kids as my faith formation was horrendous--I am learning with my kids. A lot. Every day. And trying to keep up with them and slightly ahead maybe. That is why I am going to buy the TM for third grade-soon! Ds has really good questions and we occasionally ask our pastor after Mass.
So, I don't think you are "disagreeable" just that different things work for different families. I find it amazing how that works--things others have said were wonderful and fun--ds rejected! It can be so hard.
Anyhow, glad you put in your opinion and some additional ideas.
Anne
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Matilda Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 17 2007 Location: Texas
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Posted: April 14 2007 at 2:47pm | IP Logged
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We have used F&L for 1-3 grade. It is more "school-ish" than "unschoolish", but my kids like it. I have seen the term "spine" used around here before and that is how I think of it. It is a very good spine because it doesn't water things down and it is very faithful to the teachings of the Church. We do supplement, especially for Sacrament Preparation, not because the F&L is inadequate, but because my husband is in charge of that and he has a few other books he likes to use.
I only have one TM (second grade) but haven't needed it that much. It has tests that can be printed for the students and extra activities, but I don't test religion and we have plenty of extra activities.
We do use the workbooks, because my kids like them, but we have been known to skip pages. Hope this helps!
__________________ Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11, 10, 9 & 5) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
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Ouiz Forum Pro
Joined: July 10 2006 Location: South Carolina
Online Status: Offline Posts: 109
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Posted: April 14 2007 at 4:23pm | IP Logged
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I have used the Faith and Life series for my three oldest children (grades 1-3) and I am so impressed with it! With the exception of the 2nd grade book (what happened?) they have BEAUTIFUL traditional Catholic art in each chapter, so we have a mini-art lesson each week as well.
What I like about it is it is solid Catholic teaching, but written on a level the kids can understand. Coupled with that is a question/answer section from the catechism.
I don't have the teacher's manual for any of them, but I figured at this stage of the game it's rather self-explanatory. We pick and choose which worksheets to use.
I hope you enjoy the series as much as we have!
__________________ Ouiz
Blessed to be married to the man of my dreams and mom to 8 wonderful children here on earth
B-17, G-16, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, G-7, B-4
Chez Ouiz
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graciefaith Forum Pro
Joined: June 08 2006
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Posted: April 14 2007 at 6:18pm | IP Logged
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Thank you so much for all the replies! I think we will definitely use this next year then! My faith formation was horrible as well so im sure i'll be learning right along with them! Thanks!
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helene Forum Pro
Joined: Dec 10 2006
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Posted: April 14 2007 at 8:12pm | IP Logged
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I use Faith and Life with ALL my children and we love it. Some of the grades are written in a more engaging style than others but all are wonderful and the art cannot be beat. I break the kids up into teams (2 oldest one team, next 2 second team) and we read their level aloud on the couch together and try to answer all questions. I let my oldest read the last in the series this year by themselves. It is a great skeleton text to build on. We read the Bible and Saints Lives, etc in addition....but Faith and Life has been a reliable old friend to our family and hopefully will remain so for a good while.
__________________ Happy Mom to five girls (20,17,13,11and 4) and five boys (19, 15, 10, 8 and 6)
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