A Gentle Feast - Cycle 1/Form 1

We are just wrapping up our first year using A Gentle Feast! We used Cycle 1 for my Form 1 son. We thoroughly enjoyed this curriculum. Check out the video for an in depth look at the curriculum. See the link below for more info!
agentlefeast.com/?ref=Sjacobs2270

[@michellecalais2482]

Thank you! You have helped confirm my decision to give this a try!

[@scmiller20]

Hey happy to see a fellow kjv mom!! Thanks for the review, my son is getting ready to start homeschool.

[@ThisDevotedLife]

YAY!! Hi there and nice to meet you!! What grade is your son in?

[@scmiller20]

@@ThisDevotedLife He is going into kindergarten hes 5

[@blessedmamalife]

Sarah! Did you use AGF this past year?

[@michellecalais2482]

I would love to hear how this curriculum has been for your family this year!

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I've created a video and will be posting it this week!

[@kathryngeerlings4283]

We are excited about this curriculum this fall, thanks for the tips!

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Kathryn Geerlings Oh I hope you love it like we did! Which cycle are you doing this fall? Will you be form 1?

[@kathryngeerlings4283]

Little House Became a Home Form 1 cycle 1 😆

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Kathryn Geerlings that's great! That's what we just finished 🙌🏻

[@shawnajohnston5292]

So glad I found your channel! We are planning on starting Cycle 1, Form 1 this coming year. It’s nice to hear what others have to say about the curriculum!

[@Dreblueskies]

How exciting! Good luck 😊

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Hi Shawna!! I have been awful about responding to messages since summer started full swing. So exciting that you'll be doing AGF this upcoming year. Please let me know if you have any questions!

[@joycehampton4656]

I am looking at this and Simply Charlotte Mason for my granddaughter ( 8). Her parents are blind and do not live with me. I want her to have a love for learning. I use Right Start Math, Logic of English Essentials, IEW for writing, and videos for science. Does AGF cover science? Is the history read from living books and is it accurate. I use Our Star Spangled Story by Notgrass and historical fiction library books. I am also concerned about the book list. Sometimes people recommend things that I would not read as a Christian . We also use the King James Bible. How long would you say it takes to do everything with including math and grammar?

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Hello! I apologize it took me a while to respond. I took a social media break for almost two months to connect with my family over the holidays. To answer your questions: - science is included: in form 1, Charlotte mason focuses on nature lore and getting kids into nature while practicing their observation skills - I believe AGF history is appropriate for the age level the books are introduced. Form 1 students use a good amount of picture books. If there is anything to note in a book, Julie is good about mentioning it in the online book list. - from start to finish, my form 1 student takes about 2-3 hours total and my form 2 takes about 4 hours total 4-5 days per week.

[@nataliecrowe2122]

We are finishing up cycle 1 soon and I've also purchased cycle 2 and all the books. Thanks for this video! There's not a lot of videos yet about AGF.

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! I need to keep putting up videos, but alas... mom life! haha... We just jumped into cycle 2 over the summer. We are doing a light summer school since I have baby number 4 due the beginning of September and I have a feeling I won't want to do much schooling around that time. hehe

[@roshenaranizam5434]

Since you asked for an expanded booklist - look at The Well Educated Heart. It's similar to AGF but the cycles are laid out a bit differently. But they give you extensive living booklists for different topics.

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Thank you for the suggestion! I will check it out

[@d.zyned2thrive584]

Thankful, very helpful!

[@dawndenio8930]

Hi! Thank you so much for this review! I have been trying to decide between Simply Charlotte Mason and A Gentle Feast but have just felt pulled to AGF. Are you still doing Language Arts by the TGATB or did you switch to AGF? We have been using All About Reading which we like but I really want to to combine grammar and spelling with reading. I would love to know what you all decided to do and your thoughts as I can't decide which direction to go! :)

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I actually switched to AGF! 🙌🏻 I still do a bit of TGTB periodically, but didn't do ANY for the whole first term. My son's spelling improved immensely!!

[@simplyraisingarrows7369]

we went with ambleside online and a mix of simply charlotte mason and i bought all the books with the thinking I would reuse them with my younger son but both my son had struggles this year I didnt expect and I am doing two forms worth of work with them and its draining me. I am really looking at a gentle feast because it looks like i could still do the same stuff with my form 1 and 2 kids that is not working in ambleside and simply charlotte mason is so pricey for all their products because everything is so separate plus I bought a years worth of form 1 and 2 of amblesides booklists books so I spent so much this year I hate to make a change again but I know charlotte mason is what I love and I need the morning time planned for me or all those extras just never happen for us .

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Everything you mentioned is why I chose AGF. Having all my kids on the same history cycle was what sold me on it. I have talked with families who have said that having kids on different cycles is sweet because they have good conversations about differing eras... BUT I knew for our family that it would alleviate some stress on my part not having to manage multiple cycles at the same time. Next year my 1st and 4th grader will be on the same cycle and I'm sure we will have a mix of both form 1 and 2 books being read to both ❤️

[@giveurlife2god]

Hi There! What all is included as far as habit training goes? That’s the one thing I’m not hearing a lot about. Thanks for your help and guidance!

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Hi! So sorry I'm just responding... Apparently I need to check comments on here more often! Habit training is not included in the curriculum and is left to the parent as individual children will need to work on different habits at different times in their lives.

[@sarahhenderson4986]

Another question 😅 .... How old was your child when they started form 1? My oldest will be turning six at the end of September and I can't decide if this curriculum will feel like too much for his first entrance into schooling. We didn't really do a preschool curriculum, just natural learning through books. Should I wait until he is turning 7 next year or go ahead and do it this year? Thank you for your time!

[@Kelly_Mae]

He is likely ready to start in the fall. Only you, Mama, will know in your heart if your little one is ready. Just remember, you do not have to do every single thing the curriculum lists. You can set a timer and stop where your are and pick it back up the next day. Curriculum is a tool for you to use. Don’t let it own you and your homeschool. You will do great ❤️

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I'm really sorry I didn't see the notification for your comment! I started my kids for their first grade year and it was great. You could easily adapt by removing subjects you feel are too much for them ❤️

[@roshenaranizam5434]

Also for Spanish my son takes 30 minute lessons on Homeschool Spanish academy twice a week.

[@jessicalyn90]

How accurate is the American history? Does it paint a sugarcoated ‘heroic’ viewpoint like most public school curriculums or is it an accurate representation?

[@lindseyadams8542]

The menu idea is genius! Do you have a link for that specific menu?

[@Dreblueskies]

Yes please a link would be great.

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I'm sorry I'm just responding... you probably already found the menus, but in case you haven't, I purchased mine from Meaningful Menus and just purchased blank ones shopmeaningfulmenus.com

[@ThisDevotedLife]

@@Dreblueskies Here is the link!! shopmeaningfulmenus.com I purchased the blank menus from this company.

[@Dreblueskies]

Little House Became a Home Thank you 😊

[@meaganhall7502]

Thank you for your video! This will be my first year using a Charlotte Mason approach (coming from traditional, Abeka Academy) and am trying to decide between A Gentle Feast and Simply Charlotte Mason. I have 5 sons, ages 8, 6, 4, 2, & 1, so I love the family approach that both curriculums offer, though only my oldest 2 are technically school-aged. Not sure how I am going to decide between the two! I thought those menu holders were a really cool idea for storing those papers, did you purchase them somewhere?

[@kristiea3897]

Hi. I’m wondering if you used this curriculum and if so, did you like it?

[@meaganhall7502]

@@kristiea3897 I did decide to go with AGF and yes, I do like it and will be using it again for next year, but I will me making some adjustments to it. The parts that I don’t like, I’ve easily been able to swap out with something that is a better fit for our family

[@lindsaypotter3694]

Are you still doing AGF?

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I think i responded to your other message too... But yes, we've done this for 5 years 🥰

[@lindsaypotter3694]

@@ThisDevotedLife hahaha oh I’m so sorry. I am all over the place 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

[@ThisDevotedLife]

@@lindsaypotter3694oh no worries!! Any input on the Alveary is appreciated!

[@katrinagyoung]

Hi! How did you create your own copy work? Did you print by hand?

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I just found a copywork generator online. The one I was using isn't available any more, but I know the are several more out there if you just Google 'copywork generator' or 'copywork Creator.'

[@raenarowland6934]

I have a 7th grader, 4th grader and 1st grader, which would technically be across three forms. Would I pick one form for them all to do? We've never done a Charlotte Mason style curriculum. Also, I don't know if you have experience, but I have the older student who likes to be mostly independent. Does this curriculum allow for independent learning?

[@ThisDevotedLife]

They would all be doing their individual forms, but with AGF they are studying the same time period. Some things could be combined, but your older students could do most of their own readings and then narate to you.

[@kathryngeerlings4283]

Are you using cycle 2 this year? Would love to see a walkthrough if you are. 😆🙃

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Hi Kathryn, I apologize it took me a week to get back with you. We have been enjoying our warm summer! We actually just started cycle 2 a few weeks ago! Since I'm due with baby number 4 the beginning of September, we are doing a light school throughout the summer. What would you like to know about cycle 2? I'm so excited for it because it's one of my favorite time periods!!

[@kathryngeerlings4283]

Little House Became a Home I’d love to know how long it takes each day, what books you chose, what your schedule looks like, and also how does you son like narrating and studying nature lore. And congrats on a new baby!

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I will have to create some new videos soon! I had a baby several months ago and have not been very active in making videos.

[@danielsiapin]

can you add link for the menus you used? I love that idea!

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Sure thing! These are similar you the ones I have: amzn.to/3ZjlBVJ

[@sarahhenderson4986]

I'm curious what your reason was for switching away from the peaceful preschool to a gentle feast? I'm trying to decide between them and wasn't sure which way to go before spending the money. Was that the other "beautiful curriculum" you were torn between when you chose AGF instead because of the history looping?

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Hi Sarah! While the Peaceful Press is a wonderful, all-encompassing curriculum, I really wanted to follow a CM approach to our Homeschool. AGF covers grade specific material from 1-12 grade. All my kids can study the same history cycle even with being in different grades/forms with AGF. It has all of the Chaelotte Mason subjects included. The Peaceful Press is Charlotte Mason in nature, but isn't completely Charlotte Mason. It follows more of a Classical Conversation history rotation.

[@sarahhenderson4986]

@@ThisDevotedLife ok thank you for responding! I'm still learning all the terms/vocab and concepts in the homeschool world and I appreciate you clarifying! Thank you! I do know I love Charlotte Mason, so that's helpful to know that you found AGF to fit well. 💕

[@ThisDevotedLife]

@@sarahhenderson4986 of course! Feel free to ask any questions you may have!

[@kyndelwells670]

Hi! Your videos have been so incredibly helpful to me, so thank you! We completed peaceful preschool this past year and loved it. My son is turning 6 the beginning of this school year and it will technically be his kindergarten year (he is a september birthday, so on the older side). I am trying to decide whether to move right into "A gentle feast" cycle 1/form 1 or use Playful Pioneers for our year. Do you have any suggestions? I was excited to see you liked TGTB math because that is what I'm planning to do this year as well!

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I just responded to this on The Peaceful Preschool video ❤️

[@Amandamorato]

Hello there! Thanks for your informative video! Need some hwlp here 😬. How do you decide forms? I have a 7 year old (she'll turn 8 this coming January). She's finishing up TGTB LA and Maths. We've done AO Y1 very gently last year. And I want to start A Gentle Feast this coming January. She reads at a very advanced level but her writing doesn't keep up with it 😄. And I would like to to have her doing cursive. Should I just start cycle 1 form 1 to get a hold of the "new" curriculum? (I also have a 4 yo and a baby ). Thank you so much

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I personally would just start with cycle 1, form 1 🥰 You'll bump up forms when she's in 4th grade. But keep cycling through the cycles and bumping up forms when you reach that grade... Hope that makes sense! The cycles are the era you are studying and you use the books for the corresponding form that your child is in

[@sandraruiz4737]

What age did you start this? My 3 are so close in age I rather have them be bit older before I spend serious $ on curriculum

[@kyndelwells670]

This is what I am wondering as well! I have a 6 year old who will technically be a kindergartner. I don't know whether to jump right into AGF or hold off another year....

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Charlotte Mason suggests waiting to start school until the age of 6... I'm not sure what your children's ages are, but 6 is probably developmentally accurate for starting this curriculum. My son was 6.5 when we started. It would have been his first grade year.

[@sewwhat85]

Hello! This is such a wonderful review and answered some of my questions about AGF. I was wondering if you believe you can use the history curriculum and then add in other curriculums instead of only using AGF ones. I'm not 100% CM, but I do really love the CM approach to history!

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I'm so glad you found this helpful! I do believe you could use the history and benefit from it! If you are not going to use the full curriculum though and will ONLY be using the history, I would suggest you purchase the book list and simply use the book suggestions and schedule it yourself. If you are looking for a rich Charlotte Mason style curriculum and think you may use multiple portions of it, definitely consider purchasing the full curriculum 🥰 if you do decide to purchase, please use the link in this video caption ❤️ thank you!

[@sewwhat85]

@@ThisDevotedLife Thank you so much!

[@sarahhenderson4986]

Hi! I love all your curriculum reviews and have actually watched them many times. I had a lingering question... Since you loved a gentle feast so much, what did you end up supplementing beyond it? I know I need a math curriculum but do I also need to get something else? This is my first year homeschooling and that's the part I don't quite understand. I'm not sure how to know everything I should end up purchasing or researching. Thanks for your help!

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Welcome to your first year of homeschooling! It takes a while to find what works best for your family, so don't grow discouraged as you research and learn ❤️ With AGF, You need a math and a language arts. We use The Good and the Beautiful for math and have used it for 4 years now and love it. AGF offers LA packets. I'm doing 100 Gentle Lessons in Sight and Sound for my kindergartener and using the cycle 3 LA packet for my 3rd grader for spelling and dictation. I also do 2-3 days of TGTB LA for him as well. Hope that helps!

[@sarahhenderson4986]

@@ThisDevotedLife it does, thanks!

[@cullencasa7217]

I'm really excited to try AGF this year. 6th year of homeschooling and switching things up this year. Do you feel that AGF holds up for 8th graders? Thank you

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I really do believe in a CM education in the upper years. I do not have older children yet, but I've talked with many families who have done CM all through their schooling years and have reaped the benefits! I always look at AGF as a springboard... If there is something i don't love, I switch it up. For Spanish, I'm using Talkbox.Mom instead of Julie's plans. And for this upcoming year, I've decided to bump my 3rd grader up to form 2 Geography because I liked those plans better. Feel free to customize as you need!! 🙌🏻

[@Dreblueskies]

Loved this video, I’m considering this company but felt a tad confused on her site. Did you also consider Simply Charlotte Mason? Thank you!

[@ThisDevotedLife]

Honestly, I did not consider Simple Charlotte Mason much. I was on the fence between Ambleside Online and AGF. I love how the history rotation is set up with AGF! All of my children will be on the same history rotation no matter what Form they are in in the future. That is what sold me on AGF! I loved not having everyone on different cycles and that we could read many of the books together as a family. What did you find particularly confusing about her site. I'd love to try and help you navigate it! Behind the scenes, all of the resources are available to you after purchase with clickable links and folders. I find it very user friendly. Purchasing, you just need to decide which history cycle you'd like to start with and purchase that... and I HIGHLY recommend adding in the Morning Time as well. Please let me know if you have any more questions! If you do decide to purchase, please use my affiliate link as it helps my family out ❤️ agentlefeast.com/?ref=Sjacobs2270

[@Dreblueskies]

Little House Became a Home Thanks so much for the information. I will try looking up her site on my laptop, maybe it will be easier.

[@babycakes0001]

We just found Julie and I'm so in love with it. We will be on first and 3rd grade I hope can do justice to the curriculum. Whats is the math you used?

[@ThisDevotedLife]

I just adore this curriculum as you probably could tell from the video! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. It will seem like there is a lot to cover, but once you get in a good routine, it shouldn't take too much time from your day ❤️ We use TGTB Math and love it!