Classroom Atlas vs. Intermediate World Atlas for MFW-ECC

My 2nd Edition calls for the use of the Intermediate World Atlas, however, because our wold is changing at such a rapid pace, I chose to go with the updated Classroom Atlas. Because of this, there are a few page discrepancies. If you happen to need them, the corresponding pages for the Classroom Atlas are listed below. A HUGE thanks to Mary who passed these along to me :)

Week 2 - Monday (pg. 16-17); Tuesday (pg. 10-11); Wednesday (pg. 10-13); Thursday (pg. 18-19, 22-27)

Week 3 - Monday (pg. 28-31); Tuesday (pg. 36-40, 41-44); Wednesday (pg. 45)

Week 5 - Tuesday (pg. 31, 62-65, 66-67)

Week 9 - Monday (pg. 68-71)

Week 12 - Monday (pg. 74-79); Thursday (pg. 80-83)

Week 18 - Monday (pg. 84-87)

Week 20 - Thursday (pg. 88-91)

Week 21 - Monday (pg. 98-99)

Week 23 - Monday (pg. 92-97); Thursday (pg. 104-107)

Week 25 - Monday (pg. 102-103)

Week 27 - Monday (pg. 102-103)

Week 29 - Monday (pg. 100-101)

Week 31 - Monday (pg. 108-111); Thursday (pg. 112-113)

Week 33 - Monday (pg. 116-118)  

Exploring Countries and Cultures Kick-off!

This week was our kick-off for the new school year. Technically, we don't start till August,  so if you would like to follow along, check back at the end of the 2nd week of August for weekly highlights and reviews all year long as we explore the different countries and cultures in our Father's World :)

Our Kick-off destination???

...Sea Center in Lake Jackson, Texas

The Sea Center features a wetland area which consists of a 1 acre salt marsh and a 3 acre freshwater marsh.

There is also a 20-foot touch tank filled with crabs, snails, fish, anemones, and the state shell of Texas - the Lightning Welk.

There are several different large aquarium areas....

Salt Marsh Aquarium

Coastal Bay Aquarium

Tropical Fish Aquarium

Jetty Aquarium

Artificial Reef Aquarium

Coral Reef Aquarium

Gulf of Mexico Aquarium

...And various other smaller aquariums

There is also a one-of-a-kind marine fish hatchery. The tour takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour and is very interesting and informative.

We also took a little time out to have some fun at the beach :)

Bring on the new school year !

Gathering Supplies and Hobby Lobby...

I got this idea from a friend of mine, who just happens to be a fellow MFW user, when I ran into her at Hobby Lobby.

I found it extremely helpful so I thought I'd pass it along. Any person can do this regardless of the curriculum you use. It does require a little planning and some storage, but it is SO WORTH IT, and in the end, will save you a TON of money :)

1 - Go through your curriculum and see what crafts and projects you have coming up for the entire year. 

2 - make a list of each supply/item needed for those projects

3 - Subscribe to the weekly hobby Lobby e-mails notifying you of their weekly sale items. You can also go to their website each week, but I find it easier when they deliver the notifications straight to my inbox. 

4 - With each weekly Hobby Lobby sale, scour your list and see what items you need, then go and buy them when they are on sale at Hobby Lobby. 

*Tip* - Hobby Lobby often features 40% off coupons. I load each member of my family up with one each time we go in order to save on those odd-ball items or the ones that never seem to go on sale. 

*Tip* - Start early in the summer (or as soon as your current school year comes to a close) so you have more weeks/months to gather your supplies for the upcoming school year. 

*Tip* - Save your receipts. What you don't end up using, you can return either for cash back or a store credit. 

I can't tell you how nice it is to have each item I'll need for upcoming projects and crafts already tucked away in my cabinets. No more rushing around at the last minute gathering supplies :) And I was notorious for this! 

If you do not have a Hobby Lobby near you, I'm sure this will work with other craft supply stores. Subscribe to their weekly e-mails, check their websites each week, or look through their sales section in the weekly newspaper.

Exploring Countries and Cultures Field Trip Ideas for My Father's World

Ok, I have been slowly working on this list ever since getting my box of MFW stuff in the mail a month or 2 back. I would *love* to be able to do everything on this list, however, I'm sure we will not be able to get to all of it. Be that as it may, this is my wish list of field trip ideas while exploring various countries and cultures in my Father's world :)

The wonderful thing about living in Texas is how diverse it it. If you happen to live in Texas, perhaps some of these ideas will work for you as well! And if not, maybe you'll be able to find something similar in your area.

Introduction - Lufkin (Ellen Trout) or Houston Zoos

North America 


United States (Forests) - Big Thicket National Preserve                                                                    


Mexico  (Deserts) - Big Bend National Park, Local Mexican Restaurant 

Canada (General) - Some friends of ours are missionaries in Canada so we get lots of pictures and information from them through their blog at Go and Be. Maybe we can get them to mail us a postcard. We are even considering a possible mission trip up there this summer.

South America - 


Brazil (Rain Forests) - Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid, Rainforest Cafe 

Europe -


Norway (Northern Forests, General) - Sam Houston National Forest, Davy Crockett National Forest, Sabine National Forest, Angelina National  Forest

France (General) - Children's Museum in Houston

Germany (Rivers and Lakes) - Canoeing/Kayaking and/or fishing on Village Creek, Village  Creek State Park

Africa - 


Kenya (Grasslands) - Caddo/LBJ National Grasslands

Asia - 


Saudi Arabia (Ecology and Conservation) - I have a friend who lives in Saudi Arabia and she posts all sorts of wonderful pictures to her Facebook page (perhaps we can get her to mail us a postcard),  Shangri La Botanical Gardens (Orange), Warren Loose Conservatory (Beaumont)


India (Mountains) - Our sponsor child lives in India and we gets lots of letters from him, Indian Restaurant, Guadalupe Mountains National Park

China (General, Oceans) - Chinese Restaurant, Ferry Ride across Galveston Bay, Sea Wolf Park,  

 Galveston Beach, we also know of some missionaries currently in China 

Japan (Oceans) -  Galveston Island State Park, Japanese Garden at Beaumont Botanical Gardens

Russia (Arctic, Tundra) - Maybe a virtual field trip with Go North???, there is also a Russian Chamber of Commerce in Houston

Australia - 


Australia (Coral Reefs) - Houston Aquarium and Aquarium Restaurant, Aquarium at Moody Gardens, My sister-in-law's parents live in Australia. I'm sure we can get them to send us a postcard.

Antarctica - 


Antarctica - Penguin Encounter at Moody Gardens

And, this is very, very wishful thinking, but wouldn't it be awesome to finish up the year in review with a trip to Disney World specifically the World Showcase at Epcot. I know, I know, probably won't happen. But a person can dream, can't they?




If you know of any other field trips or ideas that may work for us, please, please leave me a comment and pass them our way :)