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Schoolrmacres
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| Posted: Nov 29 2006 at 8:42pm | IP Logged
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FIAR just does not seem to be working for us this year. What used to be excitement for us is gone. We are on our 2nd go around for vols. 1-3...maybe that is the problem.My dd is an advanced 7 and 1/2 year old. She reads chapter books like Pony Pals, Amber Brown, Time Warp Trio, Magic Tree House,etc in one sitting.It is not unusual for her to start and finish one of these books in a day without any prompting or pushing from me.
Is it possible that the FIAR is not challenging enough for her and dare I say...boring to her? I am open to suggestions.
Thanks,
Darlene
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Darlene, wife to Shawn and mamma to Haleigh Elizabeth, our Gift from God through adoption.
Peace be with you
http://achampionfamily.blogspot.com/
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Nov 29 2006 at 8:54pm | IP Logged
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Could be time for a change-up. Whether or not it is challenging enough may not even be the issue, because you can always make FIAR more challenging by altering assignments. Maybe she just needs a change of pace?
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Citcat Mom
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| Posted: Nov 30 2006 at 6:04am | IP Logged
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Don't give up on Picture Books just yet. There are so many challenging picture books. Could you "row" more ?challenging ones.
Nina
http://preschoolathome.typepad.com/
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: Nov 30 2006 at 6:22am | IP Logged
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We sort of fizzled out on FIAR as well. But, I agree with Nina - don't give up on picture books. I just went to having a special time in our day (for us, just before quiet time) when I read picture books to the kids and we discussed them. The younger ones can still do the FIAR stuff, but the older ones have no desire to and so I don't make them. I will say that we love Catholic Mosaic which is sort of FIAR-ish. The difference for us is that it's not an everyday thing. I also have always used good picture books as sources for copywork for my kids. Just some thoughts.
Becky
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Nov 30 2006 at 8:40am | IP Logged
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Darlene,
Remember, what works for one family (one child) doesn't always work for another family (another child). That's why I would be hesitant to tell you what to use and what to skip. We have also given FIAR a break at different times. Then it is with fondness that we return to it.
But I agree with the others. Don't give up on picture books too soon. They can be used at any time, at any age, in so many ways. They are a no stress form of discovery. They are a treasure.
We've used picture books (even with the teenagers) when the history/science text was dull or incomprehensible.
We've used picture books to learn personal struggles about the Great Depression that history textbooks just can't convey. I've never seen anyone weep over a textbook. Well, perhaps a math text, but that's a different subject. 
We spent a couple months just reading picture book biographies and I found that particularly insightful and the picture books were very helpful.
Is your dd not challenged enough? Bored even? Could be. There's always that risk with any curriculum we choose. The nice thing about picture books is that they are "do-able" with any curriculum out there. You don't have to "row" every picture book. Just read them and discuss them and enjoy them. They can be the meat and potatoes are just to potpourri on the table.
That's why I deliberately didn't put too much "meat" into Catholic Mosaic. I wanted to give readers a road map to follow but with lots of room and leeway to divert down their own various rabbit trails that they discover.
There is just no way one person (one parent, one child, one author) can discover everything there is to find in worthwhile picture books. That's what makes these boards (and the FIAR boards) so invaluable.
Take the recent discussion on The Miracle of St. Nicholas book. What a gold mine Michelle found with the mention of the beeswax candles.  As Theresa said, you can always make FIAR (or any picture book) as challenging as you want it to be.
Just never forget that if you get completely overwhelmed with the multitude of great picture books out there...you can just sit back and read and enjoy them.
No stress for mom. 
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Nov 30 2006 at 8:46am | IP Logged
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I meant to add...
It's wonderful that your dd has embraced chapter books. To have an eager reader in the house is a beautiful thing.
My dds all love to read. My middle dd inhales the American Girl books and I'm delighted. But we still share a picture book snuggle every now and then. And that delights us both as well.
Have you tried Beyond FIAR? Perhaps the upper levels would appeal to her as they are based on chapter books.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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JennyMaine
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| Posted: Dec 06 2006 at 5:08am | IP Logged
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Sounds like it's time for Beyond FIAR! These are wonderful unit studies and I'm sure she can read the chapter books on her own or you can read them as a family. Or you might look at WinterPromise curriculum. . .I bet she'd really enjoy their American Story I or II programs. I've been using some WinterPromise and some Beyond this year, and the kids are enjoying both programs!
As much as I enjoyed our FIAR days, I've never understood the desire to study the same units again even if you are learning at a higher level. That just seems boring, when there are so many new and exciting things to learn about. And while it's nice to read an occasional picture book, it sounds like your child is ready for so much more! When you're off and running with chapter books, who wants to stay at the picture book level?!?
Jen
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--JennyMaine, Mom to Catherine (17) and Sam (15) "The countenance is a reflection of the soul. You should always have a calm and serene countenance." -- Therese of Lisieux
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Sarah in SC
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| Posted: Dec 06 2006 at 12:20pm | IP Logged
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Has anyone graduated to Volume 4? Volume 4 is specifically for 8-9 year olds who need more challenges.
It's a wonderful segue between FIAR and Beyond.
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Happy wife to Tom and mama to Mac, 12, Hannah, 8, Rosemary, 6, Luke, now 1! and the 9 little angels that Mary is rocking.....
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Schoolrmacres
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| Posted: Dec 14 2006 at 6:12pm | IP Logged
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We have Volume 4 of FIAR but since it is basically the same format as 1-3 I figured we would be in the same boat as we are now. Maybe I will look at it again and see. I have the Beyond Vols already as well as the books so that is still an option for us as well.
Time to do more re-investigating.
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Darlene, wife to Shawn and mamma to Haleigh Elizabeth, our Gift from God through adoption.
Peace be with you
http://achampionfamily.blogspot.com/
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: Dec 16 2006 at 11:21am | IP Logged
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We have never used the Beyond Volumes, but do have FIAR Volume 4. We used it for two or three years on and off and the boys loved it. This year they've actually complained that they don't like what we're doing (history based) and want to go back to FIAR.
That being said, I have to add that we've never used FIAR (not even the first three) as written. I don't see how anyone can row a book in a week and actually hit any rabbit trails! So we take 2-4 weeks per book, and really, really add to the unit -- chapter books, science units, crafts and activities. The more we add, the longer we take. FIAR is just the starting point for our unit studies, and the boys have loved it.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: This just is not working this year
