Adventures in My Father’s World

When I began looking for our second grade curriculum last spring to say that I was overwhelmed was an understatement. You see, I just might be a little very hard to please in this area. I wanted the convenience of an all encompassing boxed curriculum, but I was too picky to be completely satisfied with what came in the box.

Then I was introduced to My Father’s World and this control freak mama became satisfied! We are now halfway through Adventures in My Father’s World. I can safely say that if there is a perfect boxed curriculum, My Father’s World (MFW) would be it.

My Father’s World is a unique combination of Charlotte Mason, classical education and unit studies. It is very much a boxed curriculum meaning you have almost everything you need for a complete year of schooling in one box.

The core program covers:

• Bible
• History
• Geography
• Reading
• Art (Deluxe package)
• Science
• Music

You must add your own math and English components although MFW recommends Singapore Math and Primary Language Lessons.

My Father’s World offers curriculum for preschool through 12th grade.

Adventures in My Father’s World is targeted specifically toward second and third graders who are the oldest in the family and have no siblings in fourth-eighth grades who are using MFW. Adventures may also be used for advanced first graders.

Adventures in My Father’s World focuses on US History and Geography.

Let me tell you why I love My Father’s World:

• The instructor’s guide! Seriously, this was one of the main selling points for me. I love the way they have laid out weekly lesson plans with detailed daily plans. At the beginning of each week, I am given a list of supplies I will need for that week. No more mid-lesson surprises! The organization offered by MFW is a busy homeschool mama’s dream come true!
• I love how the creators of Adventures in MFW managed to tie many of the subjects together in a unit study-type fashion.
• Art and Music are included in the lesson plans {if you buy the Deluxe package}. I must admit fine arts are not my strong points, so I am so thankful they are already built into the plans and my children aren’t missing out.
• The history lessons are just long enough to keep my daughters interested and engaged, but not too long that they become bored. We especially love the Pioneers and Patriots book that is told from the point of views of children their ages living in the time periods we are studying. This makes history come alive for them because they can relate to the characters.
• We love the read-alouds. This may be my children’s favorite aspect of the program. We’ve been reading some great titles this year, such as: The Courage of Sarah Noble, Sarah Witcher’s Story, Farmer Boy, In Grandma’s Attic and Mountain Born. These books were chosen to coincide with the time period we are studying.

The only complaint I have about Adventures in My Father’s World is with the Science component. While it is tied nicely into the other lessons we are studying, I feel like it is lacking. We have chosen to supplement with another science curriculum.

 

 

**Please note that for the as of 2013, the name of the program has been changed to Adventures in US History but there has been no content change.**

Heather is a homeschooling mama of two sweet little girls. She is married to her best friend of eight years. She strives daily to follow Jesus and blogs about all things homeschooling, faith and family at Upside Down Homeschooling.