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3ringcircus
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| Posted: Jan 17 2012 at 10:44pm | IP Logged
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I am considering trying My Father's World next year. Not set in stone, but my older guy seems to be more of a unit studies child, or even as far out there as unschooling. I'd be supplementing w/ Catholic lessons, for sure. There's a wonderful HS Catholic group here anyway, so they have living examples of families practicing the faith.
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Christine
Mom to my circus of boys: G-1/06, D-1/04, S-4/10
Started HS in Fall'12
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Angie Mc
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Do you have any specific questions or concerns?
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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3ringcircus
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| Posted: Jan 18 2012 at 5:04pm | IP Logged
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Mostly just trying to see who's around & what they are doing if it's not Catholic published. The local families that have LOs close in age are using Seton & Mother of Divine Grace (the HS families I know are from the Catholic group).
I'm strongly considering MFW, but I hear it's definitely Protestant. I like the unit study aspect, and think my boys will appreciate working on the same thing when they get older. I have nothing against Christian mat'l (the children are at a Presbyterian preschool), but there is no question that we are a Catholic family.
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Christine
Mom to my circus of boys: G-1/06, D-1/04, S-4/10
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zookeeper9
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| Posted: Jan 18 2012 at 11:35pm | IP Logged
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You could check out History Links. http://www.historylinks.info/
They provide Catholic History Unit Studies. All you would need to add is a Math program and younger children need a phonics program.
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Donna
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Plus one saint in heaven Andrew 1/22-7/5/2005
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3ringcircus
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| Posted: Jan 19 2012 at 9:09am | IP Logged
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Any idea how they include science?
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Christine
Mom to my circus of boys: G-1/06, D-1/04, S-4/10
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zookeeper9
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| Posted: Jan 19 2012 at 11:17am | IP Logged
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I pulled out my Unit One: General Studies from them. It basically is the first unit you would do to get an overview of how they work.
Since you have really young ones I would say the science they includw would be enough to start since it is an overview of many things.
This is from their info on curriculum needs:
You will need the following materials in addition to History Links:
1) A thorough math program that provides conceptual teaching as well as ample drill; and
2) a solid phonic program for younger children.
You may also want to utilize:
1) several science units (in the next she suggests alternating a history unti and a science unit)
2) a strong grammar program
3) a formal art and music class; and
4) a consistent physical education program
College bound students will need to have a strong foundation in math, science, grammar and composition before graduation. Be sure to supplement material as needed so that they will be sufficiently prepared.
Since you have young ones I think just adding the top two will be enough since the program enough of the electives in the course of the unit.
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Donna
Wife to Richard (25 years)
Mom to Liz (21), Mandy (19), Douglas (14), Becky (13), Emma (13), Patrick (13), Abby (6), Maggie (6), and Marian (6)
Plus one saint in heaven Andrew 1/22-7/5/2005
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3ringcircus
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| Posted: Jan 19 2012 at 4:56pm | IP Logged
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Please forgive my total newbie-ness. I was asking about science because my guys are obsessed with it. I'd like to be sure to include it right along because it will likely be a sigh of relief subject for all of us.
Do you think I should just start another thread about it (Unit studies that are science-based)?
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Christine
Mom to my circus of boys: G-1/06, D-1/04, S-4/10
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pmeilaen
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I don't think that "History Links" covers as much science as MFW. MFW is much more a complete curriculum. You could supplement MFW with your own religion program to make it more Catholic.
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: Jan 21 2012 at 4:52pm | IP Logged
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I always taught my boys together using unit studies. We did use History Links and I'd say it's definitely history centered but includes some science. If your kids are science-obsessed I'd say this isn't the unit study for you. I haven't seen MFW so can't compare.
What I did was rotate through different approaches. We'd used History Links or some other (self created) history unit study, then switch to a science focused study (self created, based on booklists found here and elsewhere), then to literature based (lots of Five in a Row supplemented by chapter books and extra activites). We tried to keep nature study going regardless and also had some seasons centered around the study of particular artists.
I also never used a phonics program with any of my children. We taught them to read by reading books over and over again. We did always supplement with a math program and lots of math story books, though.
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kristinannie
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You can always create your own unit studies. That is what I do. I will pick a couple of books to use as a spine and then supplement with library books. For example, for the Solar System we used Apologia's Astronomy as our spine. I also supplemented with books from the library on each of the planets, the sun, comets, etc. We are doing South America right now. I have several books that I purchased since our library literally had one children's book on Peru and that was the only offering for South America (and it turned out to be extremely anti-Catholic).  For science in South America, we are learning about the different habitats in South America as well as animals that live there. We are also going to spend a lot of time on the Amazon Rain Forest. You can do a history unit (with some science) and then a science unit.
Also, I didn't look and see how old your kids are, but you might want to consider Paths of Exploration. It is a CM based unit study approach that includes science, copywork, dictation, etc. All you need to add is math. It is completely religiously neutral so you can just add in Catholic teaching (which is easier than taking out portions IMO). It is a 3 year American History study. They are going to release a 3 year World History study to follow this for middle school aged kids. I am seriously considering using this when my kids are a little older.
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3ringcircus
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cathhomeschool wrote:
I always taught my boys together using unit studies. We did use History Links and I'd say it's definitely history centered but includes some science. If your kids are science-obsessed I'd say this isn't the unit study for you. I haven't seen MFW so can't compare.
What I did was rotate through different approaches. We'd used History Links or some other (self created) history unit study, then switch to a science focused study (self created, based on booklists found here and elsewhere), then to literature based (lots of Five in a Row supplemented by chapter books and extra activites). We tried to keep nature study going regardless and also had some seasons centered around the study of particular artists.
I also never used a phonics program with any of my children. We taught them to read by reading books over and over again. We did always supplement with a math program and lots of math story books, though. |
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This sounds really intriguing. I like the idea of rotating through unit study types. You still cover all the subjects, but the organizing theme changes.
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Christine
Mom to my circus of boys: G-1/06, D-1/04, S-4/10
Started HS in Fall'12
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Rosesinsummer
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One curriculum that is not specifically Catholic, but tends to be more Catholic friendly (and Latin Centered/Classical in content) is Memoria Press. Here is their website. www.memoriapress.com
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mommy4ever
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You could grab the science books from the CHC for the appropriate grade. There are tons of experiments in the "Behold and See" series for the elementary. They aren't unit studies, but you could build on them easily. We got "distracted" from the lesson plans in science following some rabbit trails, that started with their book. The experiments are wonderful as you will more than likely have most of what you need in your home. We have had a lot of fun with science. Typically we've avoided it, but this is great. We are covering a lot of ground, and she is retaining it.
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CatholicMommy
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We like Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding :) (along with Montessori science...)
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: non-Catholic curricula?
