Please help me choose between these two curriculums ... Calvert or Moving Beyond the Page?

[ilovemygirl]

I've done a lot of homeschooling with dd for pre-k and kindy but it's all been put together stuff out of books and off the internet. I am currently pregnant with twins which is obviously going to cut into a lot of my time. So, I want to get a curriculum. 

I have been debating between these two for a very long time. Calvert is very structured. It's helpful for me because everything is really spelled out for the teacher. It seems this would make it easier for DH to just jump right in on days I'm not able to do as much with her. The downside is it does seem kind of stuffy (aka boring) for dd. She's really great and cooperative about her work but I also don't want to bore her just out of convenience. Also, Calvert is quite pricy. 

The second is Moving Beyond the Page. It's less expensive and has a lot of fun projects and such. I'm sure dd would enjoy it and I like that there is a lot of creativity involved. However, it isn't really a comprehensive curriculum (no reading or math instruction). DD is reading very well already so that's not too much of a concern and there is math they recommend but of course it's extra. 

I've always had a bit of a struggle with my homeschooling style. I'm neither unschool or really structured. Academics are very important but I feel like they can be taught in an order that's flexible for us.

So, if you've read my whole saga .... First, I thank you and second could you please give me your thoughts and advice. 

http://www.movingbeyondthepage.com/curriculum/age6to8.aspx

http://homeschool.calvertschool.org/why-calvert/homeschool-curriculum/second-grade

[heatherdeg]

We own MBTP and it was really "meh" IMO.  But I haven't looked at Calvert, either.  MBTP wasn't always intuitive as to what to do and there was no further instructions--which was a PITA for me.

Mine was ahead in reading and math at that age and we tried MBTP because somewhere I saw that it was good for "advanced" kids... and that was seriously laughable.

We wound up with Sonlight for history and literature and then Life of Fred for math at that age.  He's blown science out of the water and back then I think we did R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey (I looked at them for History, too, but it was too much handiwork and mine couldn't tolerate that for history for whatever reason--totally fine with it for math & science, but hated it for history stuff... at least the way R.E.A.L. did it)

[DaughterOfKali]

I use Calvert and love how it's so complete.  It makes things so much easier.  Even though it's super structured, you don't have to do everything exactly the way they suggest (unless you choose the live online teaching help.)

If you have low income, they may discount the price for you.

[Tjej]

I don't have either as a cirric, but I do have some stuff from Calvert and it is very well done.

[Emaye]

I don't use a curriculum but I have heard very good things about Calvert.  Some people also really like time4learning.com.  It is simple, very interactive and on-line.  Their math and language arts curriculum is supposed to be complete while science and social studies are not but adequate.  Like I said, I don't use a curriculum but I just wanted to pass on what I found in my research back when I was considering some.  

Are you looking for first grade? If so, you may also just consider focusing on only reading and math while letting the other stuff go.  The rest is extra IMHO and stuff kids will learn from other more fun sources.  It was actually helpful for me to look at what skills kids are supposed to master by the end of 1st grade.  Once I took out the jargon and simplified it, I realized there was actually not much to worry about.  Totally doable and in a very relaxed leisurely way by using different sources.  So potentially, you could buy Calvert Math and LA (since you want something structured) and leave the rest to your dd's interest and use the library/videos/documentaries to feed that interest.  

This way you two can enjoy your pregnancy and the babies when they arrive, without too much unnecessary stress. 

I hope you are having a lovely pregnancy 

E.