Diaper Swappers

adrocksmommy · 08-02-2012, 03:11 PM

Did you like the 1st grade materials? Did you feel it tied all the phonics up? We used MFW K last year and I am unsure if I really liked it or not. I can't decide to go ahead and try the 1st grade one or go with something else. (I am looking at CLE if we don't do MFW again.) Any insight is very much appreciated. Thanks!

HeatherlovesCDs · 08-02-2012, 04:14 PM

We've only been doing 1st for about 3wks now. But, I struggled with the same thing. I really couldn't seem to get past feeling like my son was behind, especially in reading. I know many programs are different, but him being able to only read CVC words just felt behind when many of his K friends are reading on a higher level.

In the end, I decided to stick with MFW for a couple of reasons. One was because I really like the Biblical focus of first. But, on the reading front, I looked around and really felt that the best thing to follow up the phonics he had in MFW K was MFW 1st. MFW 1st wouldn't assume he didn't know things he didn't. It would start right as his level and pick up where he left off. I wouldn't have to "catch" him up to where the program was. It also wouldn't start at the beginning either. It assumes he is exactly where he is. Because of that, I felt for phonics it was the best program to continue his journey of learning to read.

So, that said, I can't speak from a point of view of having done the whole thing, but I've done about 3wks and I've read the whole manual. There is a review of the CVC vowels that lasts 11 days. On day 12, they start to learn long vowels. We are on day 20. Honestly, I think it has picked up pretty quickly. It seems to me that the phonics is going to move rather quickly from here on out. By around day 32 or 34 he is going to be reading short stories from the Bible reader. I admit that I'm actually a little concerned it's going to move too fast for him and we are going to have to slow it down. But, that is much better than it going to slow.

Also, the amount of work is significantly more with regard to handwriting, phonics and reading and we haven't even added the Bible reader and journal yet. And, the hands on math combined with the workbook is plenty. I was also concerned that the science wasn't going to be enough, but for us, it is and he's enjoying it even though I wasn't sure he was going to.

Bottom line is I think I made the right decision with going with MFW 1st to follow up K. Right now, I'm planning to stick with MFW for a while, but my thinking was that if I wanted to change to another program I should probably not do it in the middle of him learning phonics, if that makes sense. I'm glad I went with it. And, he is enjoying the program so far.

I'll be interested to see if anyone who has completed both chimes in.

HeatherlovesCDs · 08-02-2012, 04:15 PM

DP

adrocksmommy · 08-03-2012, 06:44 AM

Thanks for the response Heather. That helped me a lot. I have the same feelings you had. The one where I am not sure if he is behind. I think I may move forward with MFW and give 1st grade a shot.

HeatherlovesCDs · 08-03-2012, 11:35 AM

I think you will be pleased with the first program if you do decide to go with it.

And, while I still do think he is behind what a lot of PS K'ers would know by now, I know in my heart that for my son, he is right where he should be. He isn't behind. Not every child reads at the same pace or level. I'm glad I didn't push him to do more than he was ready to do and cause him to get frustrated. I'm glad K was a gentle slow intro.

Also, I have realized in the short amount of time he's been reading long vowels (a few days) that the foundation he built in MFW K is great! He really isn't having a hard time at all blending the long vowel words or the more complex short vowel words. His blending is strong and he knows his sounds. MFW kept saying that K builds a strong foundation. (On their site and on the forum.) Now, I totally believe it and see it in action.

Glad I could help with what little insight I have.

kymdenise · 08-03-2012, 07:27 PM

We are using MFW 1st, but coming out of PS Kindy.. so I'm not much for advice, but instead wanted to let you know that we're doing it too..

08-02-2012, 03:11 PM	#1
adrocksmommy Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: My magical little land ;) Posts: 8,574 Ratings: 513 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Those who used both MFW K and MFW 1st grade.. Did you like the 1st grade materials? Did you feel it tied all the phonics up? We used MFW K last year and I am unsure if I really liked it or not. I can't decide to go ahead and try the 1st grade one or go with something else. (I am looking at CLE if we don't do MFW again.) Any insight is very much appreciated. Thanks!

08-02-2012, 04:14 PM	#2
HeatherlovesCDs Registered Users Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 8,889 Ratings: 98 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Those who used both MFW K and MFW 1st grade.. We've only been doing 1st for about 3wks now. But, I struggled with the same thing. I really couldn't seem to get past feeling like my son was behind, especially in reading. I know many programs are different, but him being able to only read CVC words just felt behind when many of his K friends are reading on a higher level. In the end, I decided to stick with MFW for a couple of reasons. One was because I really like the Biblical focus of first. But, on the reading front, I looked around and really felt that the best thing to follow up the phonics he had in MFW K was MFW 1st. MFW 1st wouldn't assume he didn't know things he didn't. It would start right as his level and pick up where he left off. I wouldn't have to "catch" him up to where the program was. It also wouldn't start at the beginning either. It assumes he is exactly where he is. Because of that, I felt for phonics it was the best program to continue his journey of learning to read. So, that said, I can't speak from a point of view of having done the whole thing, but I've done about 3wks and I've read the whole manual. There is a review of the CVC vowels that lasts 11 days. On day 12, they start to learn long vowels. We are on day 20. Honestly, I think it has picked up pretty quickly. It seems to me that the phonics is going to move rather quickly from here on out. By around day 32 or 34 he is going to be reading short stories from the Bible reader. I admit that I'm actually a little concerned it's going to move too fast for him and we are going to have to slow it down. But, that is much better than it going to slow. Also, the amount of work is significantly more with regard to handwriting, phonics and reading and we haven't even added the Bible reader and journal yet. And, the hands on math combined with the workbook is plenty. I was also concerned that the science wasn't going to be enough, but for us, it is and he's enjoying it even though I wasn't sure he was going to. Bottom line is I think I made the right decision with going with MFW 1st to follow up K. Right now, I'm planning to stick with MFW for a while, but my thinking was that if I wanted to change to another program I should probably not do it in the middle of him learning phonics, if that makes sense. I'm glad I went with it. And, he is enjoying the program so far. I'll be interested to see if anyone who has completed both chimes in. __________________ Heather SAHM to 6 who are 7 and under, including 2 sets of twins and our last little miracle, a surviving identical twin, born Oct 2012!

08-02-2012, 04:15 PM	#3
HeatherlovesCDs Registered Users Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 8,889 Ratings: 98 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Those who used both MFW K and MFW 1st grade.. DP __________________ Heather SAHM to 6 who are 7 and under, including 2 sets of twins and our last little miracle, a surviving identical twin, born Oct 2012! Last edited by HeatherlovesCDs; 08-02-2012 at 04:16 PM.

08-03-2012, 06:44 AM	#4
adrocksmommy Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: My magical little land ;) Posts: 8,574 Ratings: 513 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Those who used both MFW K and MFW 1st grade.. Thanks for the response Heather. That helped me a lot. I have the same feelings you had. The one where I am not sure if he is behind. I think I may move forward with MFW and give 1st grade a shot.

08-03-2012, 11:35 AM	#5
HeatherlovesCDs Registered Users Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 8,889 Ratings: 98 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Those who used both MFW K and MFW 1st grade.. I think you will be pleased with the first program if you do decide to go with it. And, while I still do think he is behind what a lot of PS K'ers would know by now, I know in my heart that for my son, he is right where he should be. He isn't behind. Not every child reads at the same pace or level. I'm glad I didn't push him to do more than he was ready to do and cause him to get frustrated. I'm glad K was a gentle slow intro. Also, I have realized in the short amount of time he's been reading long vowels (a few days) that the foundation he built in MFW K is great! He really isn't having a hard time at all blending the long vowel words or the more complex short vowel words. His blending is strong and he knows his sounds. MFW kept saying that K builds a strong foundation. (On their site and on the forum.) Now, I totally believe it and see it in action. Glad I could help with what little insight I have. __________________ Heather SAHM to 6 who are 7 and under, including 2 sets of twins and our last little miracle, a surviving identical twin, born Oct 2012!