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Karen T
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I know lots of you love FIAR. I love the idea also, and have used bits and pieces from the BFIAR book over the last year. I had planned to use FIAR vol I as my main curriculum for ds (kindergarten) this year, and add phonics and math. But everything we do with FIAR is coming out very stilted and forced. He doesn't like reading the same book over and over, even if he likes it. We do re-read lots of books, but not usually more than once in a week, so he's resistant if I pull out the book we used yesterday. Then, he has NO interest in doing any of the suggested things like talking about the culture or pointing out what kind of illustrations there are, etc. I know some of these are aimed at older kids, but I'm trying to pick out the simplest ones. He just wants to be done with the book and read another.
Anyone else have this reaction?
Karen T
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Marybeth
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We did! We did! I bought Peak with Books based on info. on-line and Rainbow Resource. I just gave it to a friend last year whose ds love it. It just never caught my ds attention so I just let those plans go. We load up on books at the library and do an activity and/or craft here or there based on a book he enjoys.
I wonder if you ds would like to read about a certain theme and then do a lapbook. ie: dinosaurs, knights, castles, airplanes, snakes, rainforest
Marybeth
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Mary Chris
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You know Karen, I feel the same way! We have tried FIAR but can never stick with it.
We have gone to a more unit study approach, and it is working for us. I do sometimes pull things from FIAR. For example, when we study Australia, we'll pull out ideas from The Pumpkin Runner.
Peak with Books is a good resource, again I just pull out ideas.
Ami has lists of units here homeschool share a terrific resource.
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Martha
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YES! My dc had a profound and instant dislike to the FIAR method. They loved the books and didn't mind doing 1 or 2 things with it, but other than that they would've rather been "clubbed on the head" as my oldest ds put it.  I do them during breaks or just when I want to sit back and focus with the littler ones once in a while, but there's no way I'd be able to use it as a stand alone program in my house.
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Marybeth
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I 2nd Ami's units. We have gotten so many wonderful ideas from her site. She is just incredible! I used her units this summer while babysitting my sister's kiddies. They liked them better than school! Go figure! 
Marybeth
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Mary G
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We never tried to do FIAR five days in a row -- my kids (and to be honest, me too  ) got tired of the seemingly contrived links. It always works out better for us to occasionally take a great picture book and run with a unit study -- but not all. And certainly not weekly.
Ami's units are very similar to FIAR but have LOTS more books, I think 87 at last count. Here's her website: Homeschool Share.
Cay's House of Literature site is also a good resource.
That should help get you started in FIAR-like lit studies that your kids will love and that won't bore you either .
Blessings
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Elizabeth
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Karen,
We've never used FIAR as written. You will find unit studies that use FIAR books (and lots of others) on the Rabbit Trails board here. Be sure to click on "All" in the window that asks "Show posts from." You'll find FIAR titles in the thread titles and you'll also find other FIAR-plus type units.
Every summer, it seems, I read glowing reports on the FIAR message board site from moms who do FIAR exactly as written. And I resolve to simplify and do just that. Then, I can't refrain from adding more theme-related books and I discard twaddly ideas and I add something uniquely Catholic and finally, I get so caught up in the idea that I include my bigger kids, so I add novels and reasearch projects. By the time I've gone on my trail, it doesn't resemble FIAR at all...
Except, it all begins with a really great book and it is fed by the ideas in the FIAR message board archives. Therein, lies the real treasure of FIAR: it's the books and the ideas of moms who are rowing way beyond the plans. The best thing about FIAR is the free sharing of ideas and encouragement on those boards. It's too bad that several of us have also detected a distinct anti-Catholic sentiment. There is no perfect curriculum huh?
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Meredith
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Elizabeth wrote:
Karen,
We've never used FIAR as written.
...it all begins with a really great book and it is fed by the ideas in the FIAR message board archives. Therein, lies the real treasure of FIAR: it's the books and the ideas of moms who are rowing way beyond the plans. |
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You hit the nail on the head here Elizabeth. This is the same for us too and I can't recommend enough the unit studies by Ami* at homeshare also, as well as the Literature Alive site, so filled with great books and studies for many years to come.
As you've already received so much great advice here, I would just add that you don't need to feel bad about using FIAR just the way it suits your family, and that may be a little or a lot
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Cheryl
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We are using five in a row. We actually use it 4 days in a row and we've probably rowed about 10 books so far. I think certain books are more attractive to my children than others. Last week we did Madeline and all three children loved it. This week we did The Giraffe That Walked to Paris and only my ds 6 could sit through it. I chose it because my ds 4 loves animals and we've studied Egyptians along with it, but I think it was too long and dull for my ds 4. I think I may only read it twice with my ds 6. I think I remember Storm in the Night being dull too. But the others we've rowed like How to Make An Apple Pie and See the World, Owl Moon, The Glorious Flight- the kids loved.
They really like the snack ideas you can find in the archives. (I don't know if that's a good thing or not.) But this year I am using the go along cookbook and we've enjoyed making and eating 2 meals so far. I think FIAR has good ideas for art and I like that you can look up a science, history, or geography topic and find a book to go with it.
I am finding that since we started school this year (two weeks ago), that my younger two mostly want to paint, draw and play...and my 1st grader wants to finish up quickly so he can go play too.
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Martha
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Okay.. hey here's a question and confession: do all of you include food in your studies? I never do and really have no desire to do so. I'm trying really hard to raise my dc without giving into the "society of food" as I call it. Am I weird and alone in not doing those kind of things??
Martha
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Karen T
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Whew, I'm relieved that I'm not the only one. I didn't want to say it for fear of offending someone, but yes, the word contrived was in my head!
I do like some of the ideas and will continue to use things here and there. I guess I was hoping FIAR would be an "instant curriculum" for us, since i spend so much time on writing my own plans for my oldest child. Now that I've looked over CHC's plans, though, I think I'll use most of it and just glean ideas from FIAR.
Marybeth, I do think doing a lapbook would be a good idea for ds; this way we can pull several books into it.
Elizabeth, I'm disappointed to hear there is anti-Catholic bias over at the FIAR board. I had started reading some there to get some ideas but haven't come across it yet. That's too bad, esp. since the books themselves (the ones I've read) aren't particularly religious.
Thanks for all your thoughts.
karen T
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Elizabeth
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Yep, food, definitely food. I think food is a rich dimension of our culture and a legitimate component of other culutres. Feasting and fasting alike are part of our Christian heritage.It was in the context of an outdoorfeast that Christ foreshadowed the Eucharist. And it was in the context of a cultural feast that He gave us the Sacrament. so many of the traditional celbrations of the Church involve food, even those that are traditions of abstinence.
When we introduce food to a unit theme, we bring in a fifth sense. The smells and tastes of foods evoke memories.
"Oh, remember when we studied Japan! Michelle came and taught us how to roll sushi and Mrs. Flannery taught us to make spring rolls!"
"Remember when we studied Greece right before Katie was born and Greg's mom brought us a Greek feast when you got home from the hospital?"
"Can we make snow ice cream like Laura did in the Big woods?"
I'm not certain what you mean by a "society of food" in a negative way. Can you explain? And you're never weird and alone. We're all in this together--no matter how different we are.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Mary G
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The other thing about food is then those of the family not being homeschooled can be part of the day -- it's a great time for my littles to narrate to dad while he eats something we've made based on whatever we're doing -- like Pippi Cookies after finishing Pippi Longstocking!
I also like the idea, not only of teaching the kids how to cook/bake/measure etc but also it's an economical way to teach as we then truly use whatever we've made....
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Martha
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[I'm not certain what you mean by a "society of food" in a negative way. Can you explain?]
Oh, I admire the moms who cook with the kids and all - nothing negative about that! Sorry if I made it sound that way.  And I see exactly what you mean by culture, Elizabeth. Who can go to a Greek festival and not eat baklava!? What kind of German/Irish man would I be married to if he didn't like potatoes?!
I should explain better. It seems like in American society you can't do anything without food. Usually junk food, not culture things (although I'm sure many would argue that IS american culture?), just eating everywhere you go for the sake of eating. Not a sit down meal, just eating with everything we do, kwim? Not sure I made myself any clearer. Pretty sure I didn't, but don't know how to express it better.
Maybe an example? My dc had a chess club that met for 1.5 hours once a week over the summer. It wasn't at a "meal" time, but several people brought candy bars, cookies, and donuts everytime and in large quantities for just 10 elementary kids. I'll never forget one of the dads bringing 6 boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts!) They seemed offended when I said "no thanks" as nicely as possible even though my boys were very good natured and wanted to hurry and go play chess anyhow. (Yes, I'm the mean mommy! ) But I was kind of offended that we were only there for a relatively short time to learn chess and they spent a good 30-40 mintues eating junk instead. Why couldn't the kids just do chess?
Anyhoo. Didn't mean to offend anyone and have nothing against moms doing the cooking ideas, it's just not something that appeals to me. I'll let 1 child in the kitchen on their day to help me make the meals though for life skills, but it's not my favorite thing to do with them.
Martha
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Cheryl
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I don't really enjoy cooking either. I'd rather clean the house. I don't like searching in the grocery stores for spices that I don't have. I think it's because I didn't learn how to cook. From my mother I learned how to cook hot dogs, macaroni & cheese and pate chinois. My father taught me how to make spaghetti and potatoe salad and my grandmother taught me how to bake. Before I met my husband I was a regular at take-out restaurants. Now I still struggle.
I don't want my kids to grow up to be focused on food, that's why I said I wasn't sure if adding snacks to every story was good or not. (My ds 6 loves to eat.) But I would like them to learn how to cook. I think it's good for them to try different foods from other cultures. Also, when we made the Madeline quiche and fruit platter, (I skipped making rolls because I'm not ready for bread yet) the kids seemed so proud that they made dinner and they ate the fruit up before my husband could have seconds. To them, cooking is not work it's creative. I wish I could see it that way.
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Erin
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I've been re-reading everything on FIAR as I'm considering buying a manual and trying it. However I also wondered whether perhaps I could save my money and instead use Ami's ideas on Homeschool Share, or perhaps just wait and instead use Cay's Mosaic as it is Catholic.
Of all the 55 books in FIAR my library only has 6  and I only have a further 7.  So obviously whatever I use I'm going to have to buy many books. I'd love to have some advice. Everyone here is always a great help, thank you 
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Cay Gibson
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Erin wrote:
I've been re-reading everything on FIAR as I'm considering buying a manual and trying it. However I also wondered whether perhaps I could save my money and instead use Ami's ideas on Homeschool Share, or perhaps just wait and instead use Cay's Mosaic as it is Catholic.
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Erin,
I will be using FIAR this coming year with my Kindergartner and my 3rd grader. CHC will, once again, be our core.I think my 8th grader and I will do the Homer Price book...for fun. It's been sitting too long on the bookshelf and I loved that book as a child. I really want him to read it and enjoy it.
Which brings me to the comment I originally wanted to make. Don't let any of these studies discourage your child from the book. If the guide is stifling their love of the book, I say set the guide aside and just read the book together. I just had a conversation with a friend on the phone yesterday. She uses MODG and loves it. She's pregnant with #5 and literally reads everything to her dc...all the history, religion, science, etc. Her dc are 8th gr on down. But that's another post entirely.
I wanted to point out that there's a huge difference between Mosaic and FIAR. Other than teaching a little geography, Mosaic won't teach the other main subjects. It's a Catholic resource, even do-able with other religions. But it doesn't teach math, science, language arts, etc.
If you want to bring the flavor of a book study into your home without the worries of *teaching* to the guide, then I'm sure Mosaic will work well within your home. Mosaic's purpose is to introduce parents to wonderful illustrated books, how to *think* through them, and how to *use* them. Everything in it is simple and very do-able. But the main purpose of Mosaic is to focus on the books and the child; not the task of checking off *school* subjects.
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cathhomeschool
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Erin, I don't consider myself an expert on FIAR, homeschooling, or anything else, but here's my two cents!
I'd be hesitant to buy FIAR if going into it I knew that I would HAVE to buy the majority of the books. (And it's not just the main FIAR titles that have to be considered, but the supplementary books that are recommended in the manuals and, to a lesser extent, on FIAR's message boards.) There are many FIAR titles that I want on my shelves, but there are others that my boys just don't care to reread.
Do you and your library have the majority of the books for any one volume? How helpful is Amazon.com down there? Do you have interlibrary loan? I might buy the one FIAR manual that sounds most appealing to you if you have many of the books for it or can find them used for a very reasonable price. If there isn't "one" that fits that description , then I'd use Amy's site. We have really enjoyed the units we've done from Homeschool Share, and she has so many choices there! Several of her units are also FIAR titles. (Same goes for Elizabeth's units in Rabbit Trails.) Even if you don't buy FIAR, you could search their message boards for ideas related to the titles you do have.
I sure hope others add their opinions here so that you get a good feel for what might work!
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Erin
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Cay wrote:
| I wanted to point out that there's a huge difference between Mosaic and FIAR. Other than teaching a little geography, Mosaic won't teach the other main subjects. It's a Catholic resource, even do-able with other religions. But it doesn't teach math, science, language arts, etc. |
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Cay
I know that Mosaic will be an excellent fit for us. And the titles you have chosen that I've found so far look FANTASTIC  But I was also thinking of having something that I could just pull off the shelve and use with the younger children, I don't want to have to do as much planning for them, nor do I think it is needed. My main aim is actually to just spend more tiome focusing on them.
cathhomeschool wrote:
| I'd be hesitant to buy FIAR if going into it I knew that I would HAVE to buy the majority of the books.... Do you and your library have the majority of the books for any one volume? |
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Janette
I was thinking along these lines myself. 6 of the titles I and the library have are from Vol 1 and the other 7 from Vol 2. I was thinking of buying Vol 1 as I have the opportuntiy to buy it 2nd hand. That way can see how it works for us.
cathhomeschool wrote:
| How helpful is Amazon.com down there? Do you have interlibrary loan? |
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Amazon works out too expensive here due to postage, however I've just found a wonderful suppllier here in Australia Emporium Booksthat is very cheap and has excellent postqage rates Actually they carry a few of the Mosaic titles too!
Interlibrary loan with our council costs $3 per book they search for and there is of course no guarantee that they will find it and it could take up to 3 months for it to arrive
I might try some of Ami's units while I'm waiting for the manual to come. I'll see how the children respond to that. We've been doing Rabbit Trails for years so I'm quite comfortable with all this, it is just that I don't usually focus on the younger children, they just trail along with us. Actually I'd like to just keep it 'short and sweet' and not turn things into a big project, but then I may not be able to help myself.
Janette and Cay
I really appreciate you advice. Thank you so much.
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Erin
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cathhomeschool
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Yikes, Erin! I can't imagine paying $3 per book for merely the hope of getting to borrow it!
Buying a manual used is probably worth it. For what it's worth, I have all 4 volumes, and use volumes 1 and 4 most. (Vol. 4 is more in-depth and I go out of my way to use it with my older ones.)
I'm right there with you, wanting to focus on the younger ones. "Short and sweet" isn't my strong suit either, which is why I've been drawn to FIAR and am now considering CHC for the older set.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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4Real Forums : Language Arts Come Alive
Topic: FIAR not so fired up
