Comparing HOD and MFW
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:12 pm
Hi gals! Well, let me first say that I think both MFW and HOD are written by strong Christian homeschool families, and even though I use HOD and am the author's sister, I feel that having both of these Christian programs available to homeschooling families is wonderful. I have not used MFW, although I've looked at it quite extensively. I have used each of HOD's programs so far, which up to this point have been for ages 7-9. I think it is hard to say MFW is meatier than HOD because HOD is just coming out with Preparing... which is targeted at age 8-10, so it's really not in the same age-range as MFW's older programs to which it's being compared. My thinking is that of course MFW's programs look meatier, because they're for older dc!
However, I do think that the 2 companies are very different in their philosophies, so it is really a matter of finding what suits your philsophy best. I'll point out a few of the more major differences in philosophy and design between these 2 truly excellent companies to show you what I mean.
MFW teaches to the olders and brings the youngers along. HOD does the reverse and targets the age listed on their guides and then beefs up with their extension pack for the olders.
MFW teaches to larger age spans within each guide to encourage the group learning concept. HOD targets smaller age increments to really hit children's developmental level.
HOD is very much of a literature company, so there is more emphasis on that, while MFW really doesn't cover literature study unless you add Progeny Press guides. At HOD literature study is formally taught and scheduled, while MFW uses the book basket for reading.
HOD is about teaching kids to read with discernment and use the Bible as their moral compass in living their day-to-day life, while MFW seems to have more of a missions focus.
HOD looks at every aspect of your day and balances that all in one guide. MFW hits your history, science, and Bible and gives suggestions for the rest for you to add in as you feel best.
HOD focuses on formally teaching your kids language arts skills like written narration, oral narration, dictation, notebooking, etc. so kiddos can eventually take these over on their own. It includes lessons on these areas written right into your daily plan and spends time "teaching" children to do each of these skills well. MFW is more general in its instructions.
HOD incrementally moves kiddos through skills in each guide working toward the goal of more independent readings/learning CM-style. MFW retains the read-aloud to a group format throughout its guides as the primary method of instruction.
The read-alouds in any HOD guide are meant to be at or slightly above the child's listening level, so they aren't needing to be paraphrased. MFW readings are targeted to the older audience and the little ones are brought along.
HOD includes literature study every day and the Bible is integrated throughout almost all subject areas with direct application to the history being studied. (Entire Psalms will be memorized in Preparing.... It uses and studies the entire passage from Scripture once you get past LHFHG.) HOD is systematic, manageable, and deep in its Scripture study. I am assuming that MFW is deep in its Scripture study as well.
Both are definitely designed for the family setting. However, HOD has a lesson plan layout of a day at a glance that may remind you of a teacher lesson plan book. That feature may give it a schoolish feel, but is also what makes it open and go. MFW uses the common week-at-a-glance format.
I, for one, am thankful that there are excellent Christian companies like HOD and MFW. I think that the decisions on which one is right for your family comes down to your philosophy and which one fits you better. It is not a matter of better, only more suitable for you. As you can see these 2 companies approach learning in 2 very different ways. How blessed we are to have both of them for excellent Christian homeschool choices!
However, I do think that the 2 companies are very different in their philosophies, so it is really a matter of finding what suits your philsophy best. I'll point out a few of the more major differences in philosophy and design between these 2 truly excellent companies to show you what I mean.
MFW teaches to the olders and brings the youngers along. HOD does the reverse and targets the age listed on their guides and then beefs up with their extension pack for the olders.
MFW teaches to larger age spans within each guide to encourage the group learning concept. HOD targets smaller age increments to really hit children's developmental level.
HOD is very much of a literature company, so there is more emphasis on that, while MFW really doesn't cover literature study unless you add Progeny Press guides. At HOD literature study is formally taught and scheduled, while MFW uses the book basket for reading.
HOD is about teaching kids to read with discernment and use the Bible as their moral compass in living their day-to-day life, while MFW seems to have more of a missions focus.
HOD looks at every aspect of your day and balances that all in one guide. MFW hits your history, science, and Bible and gives suggestions for the rest for you to add in as you feel best.
HOD focuses on formally teaching your kids language arts skills like written narration, oral narration, dictation, notebooking, etc. so kiddos can eventually take these over on their own. It includes lessons on these areas written right into your daily plan and spends time "teaching" children to do each of these skills well. MFW is more general in its instructions.
HOD incrementally moves kiddos through skills in each guide working toward the goal of more independent readings/learning CM-style. MFW retains the read-aloud to a group format throughout its guides as the primary method of instruction.
The read-alouds in any HOD guide are meant to be at or slightly above the child's listening level, so they aren't needing to be paraphrased. MFW readings are targeted to the older audience and the little ones are brought along.
HOD includes literature study every day and the Bible is integrated throughout almost all subject areas with direct application to the history being studied. (Entire Psalms will be memorized in Preparing.... It uses and studies the entire passage from Scripture once you get past LHFHG.) HOD is systematic, manageable, and deep in its Scripture study. I am assuming that MFW is deep in its Scripture study as well.
Both are definitely designed for the family setting. However, HOD has a lesson plan layout of a day at a glance that may remind you of a teacher lesson plan book. That feature may give it a schoolish feel, but is also what makes it open and go. MFW uses the common week-at-a-glance format.
I, for one, am thankful that there are excellent Christian companies like HOD and MFW. I think that the decisions on which one is right for your family comes down to your philosophy and which one fits you better. It is not a matter of better, only more suitable for you. As you can see these 2 companies approach learning in 2 very different ways. How blessed we are to have both of them for excellent Christian homeschool choices!
Mel