Mar. 3, 2009 - Five in a Row
I LOVE Five in a Row! I came across FIAR when I was looking into what curriculum I could use for our homeschool. I wanted something that I could A) re-use B) not a lot of prep work involved C) use for multiple ages/levels D) and have fun. I didn't want something that I had to make a thousand copies or buy extras to go along or do a lot of planning. I also didn't want a set-up like school. I can't remember how I actually came to hear of FIAR but I bought a manual and sat down to begin.
I was fortunate enough to recieve Before Five in a Row as a reviewer for TOS. I had wanted to get this but wasn't able, so this was a blessing! B4FIAR is geared toward ages 2-4 and is a laid back, gentle approach so that children can begin to learn, even if it may not seem like learning! This, like the other FIAR manuals, is literature based. This means that you focus on one book for an entire 5 days and do an activity (or subject) a day based on that book.
For me, being able to cuddle on the couch and reading a book is what our school is about. For me, being a bookworm, literature based studies are right up my 'teaching' alley. It is easy to teach what you love. FIAR makes this easy. The Lamberts have put a lot of love and time into their manuals and it shows. There is so much leeway in how you do these unit studies - you can do as much (I know some who turn FIAR studies into 2 and 3 week studies) or as little (1 week for us) as you want. If you love planning then by all means add to it - find more books at the library on whatever the subject is. While this may be too much for the B4FIAR group, finding more on the subject of, say France, could well benefit those doing FIAR (ages 4-8), BFIAR (Beyond FIAR; ages 8-12) and Above and Beyond FIAR (ages 12 and up). Use the curriculum as is or include as a springboard for learning more about literature and subjects like countries, history, and others.
The curriculum is affordable since it is non-consumable it makes it well worth a larger family's time and money. The other nice thing is that if you have age ranges from 2 to 8 you can add or subtract to make it all encompassing. For example: my now 4 1/2 year old would sit in on some of my oldest's lessons last year. I could downsize some of the FIAR for her but also give enough meat that met what my oldest needed. That has changed because now I can spend a half an hour or so sitting with my 2 year old, reading a good book and having a discussion as much as he able to sit still for - or finding something hands on for his level, now that I have B4FIAR, although I won't stop them if they want to sit in our FIAR studies.
Thankfully I have found that the library has almost all of the books needed for the unit studies. I have purchased a few that I thought were definite keepers at used bookstores and this saves me a trip to the library in the cold months. FIAR offers a bundle in which you can buy the manual and the books that are available in one packaged group. FIAR also has a Bible supplement, which is well worth it, this ties in all the books discussed in FIAR volumes 1 through 3 in with Bible stories and Scriptures.
There are bound copies or you can Five in a Row digital which has all their manuals, including the cookbook and FIAR Holiday through the Seasons, in digital format. The digital store also carries their exclusive Fold and Learns (similar to lap books), FIAR planner, audio downloads, nature studies, time line, and gifts and apparel. I recommend that if you want to buy the FIAR canvas tote you do so through the FIAR main site.
I could continue on as to how much we like doing FIAR studies but I want you to go check it out yourselves! I don't think you will be disappointed.
Comments
Aug. 16, 2009 - Before FIAR
Posted by Anonymous
Hi there. I ran across your blog today and am wondering if you have other ideas and/or materials that compliment and add to the book studies in the Before FIAR program.
festivefeet@yahoo.com
Thanks.
Jessica
