Curriculum Review: My Father’s World (Family Learning Cycle)
We are starting a new school year in my home, and it feels like a major milestone for me. Last school year we completed the My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle for the first time, and we are about to start it all over again. This curriculum has been my secret weapon for our family’s homeschool success survival. The Family Learning Cycle approach isn’t for everyone, but I think it can be a truly transformative addition to many homeschool families.
What Is The My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle?
The My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle is five years of curricula that integrates Bible, Geography, History, Literature, Science, Art, and Music. In order to personalize the curricula to each student’s level, Math and Language Arts must be added separately. My Father’s World has suggestions for those subjects, but my family has found other curricula that suit our needs better. So, don’t be nervous to make changes to the program. It still works when you do.
Students in second grade through eighth grade will be learning together, and the My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle accommodates for that. The easy-to-use open and go lesson plans have special assignments and suggestions for younger and older students. For instance, the older students will have separate science lessons, and the younger students often have read-alouds that are more age appropriate.
After all five years are complete, the family simply begins the five year cycle again.
First Things First
My Father’s World has a curriculum for students from preschool through high school. The preschool curriculum is called All Aboard the Animal Train and the pre-K curriculum is Voyage of Discovery. I haven’t used either these curricula because I felt that I could do the same thing for free or nearly free. However, I have read plenty of positive reviews, so don’t let my frugality dissuade you.
The kindergarten (God’s Creation from A to Z) and first grade (Learning God’s Story) curricula are the final two steps before entering the My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle. I’m not going to review them today, but I want to make sure to note that it is essential that students in kindergarten and first grade are given time to complete these curricula rather than just toss them into the Family Learning Cycle. Developmentally and academically, the vast majority of kids are not ready.
The Rarely Completed Year In The My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle
Second grade is a mom favorite in many families using My Father’s World. Adventures in U.S. History is meant to be completed solely with the oldest child in the household in second or third grade, depending on when the family started using My Father’s World. The family will not go through Adventures in U.S. History more than one time, and I have to say, that’s too bad because it’s a wonderful year filled with classic read-alouds and foundational teaching on America. Don’t worry, though, because American history is covered in future years.
Now The My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle Gets Going!
The first curriculum in the Family Learning Cycle is Exploring Countries and Cultures. The firstborn child will likely be in third grade when she enters the cycle. Let’s say she has a brother who is two years behind her in school. When he is old enough to enter the Family Learning Cycle, he will join in wherever his sister is at in the cycle. Any time a sibling joins the older kids, that student just jumps in wherever the family is studying.
Won’t My Younger Children Be Missing A Lot?
At first glance, it seems like the younger children will miss all the previous information, but they will cycle back around to the previous curricula. In fact, if your child started in the cycle in third grade, then she will repeat her first year of the cycle in eighth grade. Therefore, if she didn’t get as much as you would have liked from Exploring Countries and Cultures in third grade, you’ll know she will be much more mature and able to grasp even more when she comes back around to it.
What Does The My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle Cover?
Exploring Countries and Cultures
This year will focus on the Book of Matthew, true missionary stories, and take your children across the globe to learn about the various nations, people groups, animals, and ecosystems around the world.
It’s a fun year and gives students a foundation upon which to build their understanding of history over their years of study.
Creation to the Greeks
The history in this year of study takes students back to the Old Testament times. You’ll be able to show your children how the Bible stories we all know so well fit into world history.
One of the highlights for my children was covering ancient Egypt. Are there any kids who aren’t fascinated with pyramids and mummies? My husband and I especially enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the biblical feasts, and we even put together a Christian version of a Jewish Sabbath.
Be Warned: One of the history books is a traditional textbook, Streams of Civilization. The readings are long and dry. I found it was better for us if I just highlighted interesting portions and put it into my own words. This might not be necessary for older kids, though.
Rome to the Reformation
The Bible focus is on Luke, Philippians, and 1 John. There is a heavy focus on Roman times, so buckle up for a lot of Rome. After all that work, I recommend taking the curriculum’s suggestion and having a family Roman feast. My kids are still talking about it nearly three years later!
Although Rome to the Reformation was an interesting year, it was also the hardest one for me. In addition to heavy periods of history (i.e., Roman Empire, Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation), the science focus was on the body which was challenging for our family because of my children’s ages. You could say that it got too technical for my Littles.
Special Note: This year’s curriculum includes a book entitled, The Wonderful Way Babies Are Made. You may have already had this conversation with your children, or maybe you won’t be ready for that yet. As with any curriculum, go at your pace and do what’s best for your family. I didn’t even use this book because I found it a little creepy. I prefer a more science-based book that is less touchy-feely for the sex talk. But to each their own.
Exploration to 1850
This year of the My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle takes students through the important explorations that led to the world as we know it today. A great deal of time is spent learning about early America and how the United States of America came to be. The year finishes off with the Gold Rush.
The two books that really stand out for me are George Washington’s World and Then Sings My Soul. The former digs deep into Washington’s life and what was going on around the world while he lived. It gives a solid context for the Revolutionary War. The latter is a collection of popular hymns and the stories behind them. My children and I enjoyed learning the background of each hymn we studied and singing them together.
1850 to Modern Times
My children were very excited to begin this final installment of the My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle. They said something like, “Yea! Now we can learn about things that affect us!” They absolutely loved reaching the portion of history that I was alive to experience. It made me feel a little old, actually, because my kids acted as of a piece of ancient history was sitting in the room with them.
I enjoyed this curriculum, but sometimes it was difficult to teach. Reading about Corrie ten Boom, discussing the horrors of slavery, and explaining the travesties of war was too sad for me some days. Even though I’ve told them about 9/11 every September, explaining it again brought tears to my eyes. As usual. If you’re the kind of person who cries easily, some of the books in the Family Learning Cycle are going to test your resolve to not cry.
Our Schedule On The My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle
The most common questions I get from people about homeschooling are regarding how I can homeschool five children at such different learning levels. Let’s be honest, having five kids makes everything a little more challenging, but the My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle has made this challenge much more manageable. Dare I say, enjoyable? So, how do I homeschool all these kids, eh?
A Generalized Breakdown
The schedule is more of a routine than an actual “schedule.” After breakfast and chores, my kids (maybe) get dressed and head down to our homeschool room. In years past, I had no specialized room and used the dining room as our homeschool’s command center.
I have the assignments for the day that can be done independently left out for each child. Once everyone is settled in and I’ve answered any immediate questions, I move on to my youngest child. He started kindergarten today; therefore, he can’t do much of anything without me. We finish the work we plan to do together, and then I move on to the next child who needs more one-on-one work.
Once my Littles are done with official schoolwork, I set them free to play. Sometimes I have things for them to do, but other times I just let their imaginations run wild. I don’t want to micromanage their free play.
My Bigs gather with me after the Littles have moved on to whatever activity they have chosen. We lovingly call this schoolwork “together stuff.” I teach Bible, History, Geography, Art, Music, Literature, and Science at this time. I also use this time to read aloud any books we may be working through. Though, sometimes I save read-alouds for lunch.
Once “together stuff” is done, everyone finishes their assignments at their own pace. I’m there to help and teach difficult concepts, but I’m mostly grading work or prepping for the next day.
We are almost always done by 2:00 P.M. My youngest children are done much earlier, though. Today everyone was finished by 11:00 A.M. because it was a light schoolwork day. On average, we’re usually finished by noon.
The Pros And Cons Of The My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle
I’m over here singing the Family Learning Cycle’s praises, but I’d be dishonest if I didn’t admit it isn’t for everyone. Let me offer a few pros and cons for you to consider.
Pros
1. The Bible is integrated into every subject.
2. It simplifies the day for a family with multiple students at different grade levels by combining kids for some subjects.
3. The family bond grows with the necessity to work and learn together.
4. Children help each other, which leads to better understanding for the children teaching concepts and less burden on the parent. (I don’t force this. I’ve witnessed my children readily jump in and help.)
5. The lessons are completely planned. Open the teacher’s manual and teach. It’s that easy!
6. The curriculum is customizable. You can do more, take elements out, or do it exactly as written.
Cons
1. The My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle requires parents to accommodate for varying ages and skill levels. For instance, the curriculum can’t tell you how long your third grader’s state report should be compared to your third grader’s report. You need to know their abilities and make those choices yourself.
2. There is a lot of reading. So much reading. In order to teach several students at once, you’ll have to read the assigned readings out loud. Audiobooks are available in some cases, but those aren’t great for everyone.
3. The curriculum can feel like it has too many activities, crafts, projects, extra readings, etc. Personally, I have no trouble leaving out anything I’m not interested in and focusing on what I believe is most beneficial to our homeschool goals. However, I’ve talked to many mothers about how challenging that can be. So, the My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle might be overwhelming to a parent who struggles with cutting things from curricula.
Final Thought
Choosing a curriculum has become an anxiety-producing decision for homeschool moms. I get it. We’re spoiled with so many choices, and they all seem great. That said, we have to choose something eventually. One of the things I have appreciated about the My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle is that I have room to add extracurriculars and personalized Math and Language Arts curricula.
I tried to have a completely eclectic approach with my children. I had a different curriculum for each subject and child. Keeping up with that was exhausting. There is something to be said for streamlining our schoolwork so our family can spend more time together doing something other than academics.
If you’re looking for a way to cut down how much time you spend sitting for lessons without sacrificing the academics, then take a look at My Father’s World. It might be the ingredient your family needs to make your homeschool experience what you want it to be.
Have you used the My Father’s World Family Learning Cycle? What did you think about it?
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