Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Living Learning
 4Real Forums : Living Learning
Subject Topic: Five in Row or Before Five in a Row? Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
Natalia
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1343
Posted: July 27 2006 at 9:12am | IP Logged Quote Natalia

I want to use the Five in a Row curriculum with my 4 yo but I am unsure which volume to begin with: BFIAR or FIAR volume 1. I know that we have read a lot of the books of Vol 1 so I know he can handle the books. But what about the activities? are the activities in FIAR too advance for a 4 yo?

Thanks in advance,

Natalia
Back to Top View Natalia's Profile Search for other posts by Natalia
 
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
Posted: July 27 2006 at 9:18am | IP Logged Quote Cay Gibson

Natalia,
We read BFIAR this past year so we're moving into vol. I with my 4-yr-old.

The early volumes are perfect for 4 yr olds.

__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
Back to Top View Cay Gibson's Profile Search for other posts by Cay Gibson Visit Cay Gibson's Homepage
 
Rebecca
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Dec 30 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1898
Posted: July 27 2006 at 1:59pm | IP Logged Quote Rebecca

At what age would you switch from BFIAR to FIAR?
Back to Top View Rebecca's Profile Search for other posts by Rebecca
 
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
Posted: July 27 2006 at 4:48pm | IP Logged Quote Cay Gibson

Rebecca wrote:
At what age would you switch from BFIAR to FIAR?



FIAR has it programmed exactly right.
BFIAR is ages 2-4.
I wouldn't use Vol. I until the child is over 4 yrs of age, at a Kindergarten mentality (at least), and---even then---take it slowly. Volume I might last Annie through K and 1st grade. Depends on how much she reaps of it this year.

Edit: Natalia, I should have mentioned, if you haven't done BFIAR yet, it is very appropriate for a 4 yr old. Do that first to "get into the groove" then move on to Vol. I.

__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
Back to Top View Cay Gibson's Profile Search for other posts by Cay Gibson Visit Cay Gibson's Homepage
 
Dawn
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: June 12 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3191
Posted: July 27 2006 at 6:03pm | IP Logged Quote Dawn

Cay Gibson wrote:
[Edit: Natalia, I should have mentioned, if you haven't done BFIAR yet, it is very appropriate for a 4 yr old. Do that first to "get into the groove" then move on to Vol. I.


I am very glad to hear this! I actually *have* BFIAR *and* a 4 yo! You all recommend "rowing" so highly its time I look into it further.

__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
Back to Top View Dawn's Profile Search for other posts by Dawn
 
Natalia
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1343
Posted: July 27 2006 at 7:33pm | IP Logged Quote Natalia

So what else would you do with a 4 yo?

Really, I know that sounds like a stupid question but this is the first time I am going to homeschool a preschooler. My other two kids (13 and 9) went to a Montessori preschool. So technically I haven't taught any of them how to read. I am nervous. I don't have a good background on early education.

How long do you set aside to do BFIAR? What kind of activities does it include? Does it require a lot of preparation? What does your preschooler do the rest of the time your other children are doing school?

I know this is ridiculous but I feel overwhelmed ...

Natalia
Back to Top View Natalia's Profile Search for other posts by Natalia
 
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
Posted: July 27 2006 at 7:59pm | IP Logged Quote Cay Gibson

Oh, Natalia, "overwhelmed" is my middle name this week. I'm so glad I can be of some use...somehow.

My plans for the 4 yr old in my home.   

Due to a Dec. bday, my 4 yr old would have to wait another year for Kindergarten. I think she's ready and hs allows this early start.

Basically, I'm doing PreK and K with her this fall.

Don't be nervous, Natalia. My college degree isn't in elementary education at all but I taught my 8 yr old to read at the same age as my current 4 yr old using CHC's Little Stories for Little Folks and a few Bob books and Dr. Seuss books. It was no-stress, very laidback, and very manageable. Chels loved learning to read and she hasn't stopped since.

I'm looking at my BFIAR now. There's really not a whole lot of preparation unless you want to do lapbooks...which I did with my middle dd. With my youngest we have mostly done everything as oral discussion and she has played with her sister's lapbooks.

We didn't do lapbooks because we were doing Mosaic this past year. It was enough just to read the BFIAR books, discuss them, and enjoy them.

Activities in BFIAR?
Music suggestions, art, casual science suggestions, Bible verses, rhyming, character formation, simple math

While the other dc are doing their school work, that's when the Montessori baskets and trays get set out. I plan to have a reading corner this year (we haven't had one set-up since we moved into this house) where Annie can retreat with her tape recorder. And, yes, she is allowed to watch TV for Reading Rainbow and Between the Lions (is that the name? doesn't sound right).

__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
Back to Top View Cay Gibson's Profile Search for other posts by Cay Gibson Visit Cay Gibson's Homepage
 
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
Posted: July 27 2006 at 8:01pm | IP Logged Quote lapazfarm

Natalia, It isn't rediculous at all! I am an old-timer and have taught several kids to read already, but I am nervous about Kindergarten this year with my littlest! I guess it's because it's been so long (next older is almost 11) and because I am going to "wing it" without a program like BFIAR. We all have our moments of doubt!

__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
Back to Top View lapazfarm's Profile Search for other posts by lapazfarm Visit lapazfarm's Homepage
 
Genevieve
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: April 02 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 529
Posted: July 27 2006 at 8:18pm | IP Logged Quote Genevieve

Dawn wrote:
[I am very glad to hear this! I actually *have* BFIAR *and* a 4 yo! You all recommend "rowing" so highly its time I look into it further.


Oh Dawn! You would LOVE it! My three and half does. We do skip some of the activities because he isn't interested in them.. I actually read some of the suggestions as is and wait for his eyes to light up. *grinz* The best part about the selection of the books is that I think they would lend well to storytelling (with puppets or whatsnot) which you naturally lean towards. We actually lived those characters for weeks on end. So much that we might dwell on one book for more than the intended week.

__________________
Genevieve
The Good Within
Back to Top View Genevieve's Profile Search for other posts by Genevieve
 
Alice R
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: May 28 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 169
Posted: July 28 2006 at 10:32am | IP Logged Quote Alice R

I gotta tell ya,
I don't do anything formal with a 4 year old.   

I read to them and take them to every educational place I can find. I have tons of art supplies for them to make a mess with. Oh, and I feed them.   

I have found with my kids that I can bang my head against a wall teaching them something that if I only waited-they can learn in a snap.

I do B4FIAR but I don't follow any of the activities. I just do things as they pop up in daily life. I've done FIAR for years and I guess the little ones listen.

Blessings,
Alice



__________________
Mom to Nathaniel (10), Noah (8) Alise (6) Rebekah (3)and expecting another blessing Faith, Grace and Family
Back to Top View Alice R's Profile Search for other posts by Alice R Visit Alice R's Homepage
 
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
Posted: July 28 2006 at 11:01am | IP Logged Quote Cay Gibson

Very un-schooling approach, Alice. You're right! Most of the time, learning happens without us having to program it or schedule it. And it's less stressful that way.

We've unschooled quite a bit in the past years but I still like a structured school span during some part of the day. This year it will be from 10 AM-2 PM.

What happens when I don't have some structured time in our day? I wrote about it on my blog.

I am so ready to plan and execute.

__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
Back to Top View Cay Gibson's Profile Search for other posts by Cay Gibson Visit Cay Gibson's Homepage
 
Alice R
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: May 28 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 169
Posted: July 29 2006 at 9:15am | IP Logged Quote Alice R

I'm heading off from the original topic but don't forget about "Slow and Steady Get Me Ready" by June Oberlander.

260 Weekly Devlopmental Activities from Birth to Age 5

The sticker on my books says I paid $19.95.    

I personally like FIAR but you might be able to get this at your library and add to FIAR.

Always looking for inexpensive ideas!

Blessings,
Alice

__________________
Mom to Nathaniel (10), Noah (8) Alise (6) Rebekah (3)and expecting another blessing Faith, Grace and Family
Back to Top View Alice R's Profile Search for other posts by Alice R Visit Alice R's Homepage
 
Bookswithtea
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 07 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2621
Posted: Aug 03 2006 at 3:00pm | IP Logged Quote Bookswithtea

I like B4FIAR for 4 yr olds. I'm going to use it with a young 4yr old this year. I have had children younger than 5 sit in on FIAR books for years and although some of the books are right at their level, FIAR seems to me to be its *best* with late 5yr olds to 7 yr olds. Some of the activities are easily over the head of a 5 yr old. When I use FIAR with a younger child we just pick the easiest activities.

I don't recommend doing a lot of school with kids this age either but what I find is that my preschoolers *beg* for something of their own. FIAR type activities are easy and not overwhelming, imho.

The best suggestion I can make is to print out the list of books from the FIAR web site for B4 and also for one volume of FIAR and go to the library or B and N and look at the books first.

Hope this helps!

__________________
Blessings,

~Books

mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
Back to Top View Bookswithtea's Profile Search for other posts by Bookswithtea
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com