I've never used this, but am considering it. I was looking at it the other day at a homeschool meeting.

Can you mostly get the books at the library?
Is there a lot of prep work to using it?
How long do you spend each day doing it?
Did you and your child like it?
Anything else you want to share about it would be appreciated.

I'm thinking of using this for Sarah. She will be 5 in November. She doesnt sit still for more than a few minutes usually, but loves to be read to. She's not really ready for any type of workbook/written work, but has really been into wanting to have schoolwork like Brooke and wants to learn her letters and how to read. I have the Abeka phonics workbook and K5 readers that I am hoping to spend a little time on each day with her.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Brooke has only ever used ABeka and likes it, but I dont think Sarah is going to follow the same path.

We loved loved loved FIAR for my 5 year old dd.

Yes, most of the books are at the library.
You buy the volume (there are 3 for ages 5-8) and vol. 4 for 7-8 year olds. New it costs about $20.

Everything you need is in there!!! You should go to the FIAR site and there are reading supplements.

It took us less than 1 hr a day and it was really really fun!!
We used Math-u-see math and Handwriting without tears!!

It was the best year!!

Can you mostly get the books at the library? Yes, our local library also has vol. 1 of the manuals, so you can check it out and try it out without any commitment :-)
Is there a lot of prep work to using it? Depends on how deeply you delve into topics. Mostly not, but I do check out go-along books on certain topics.
How long do you spend each day doing it? It depends. Sometimes 10 mins, others 2 hours or more. Depends on the "rabbit trails" we follow and how interested they are.
Did you and your child like it? They love it :-)
Anything else you want to share about it would be appreciated. Five in a Row is a great program and can be as much or as little as you and your child make of it. Every person does it differently. Have you checked out their messageboards? They are here (don't need to register to read): http://www.fiveinarow.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi

Lots of good info and inspiration there. HTH!

I use FIAR with Jack, my 7 year old (starting our 3rd year) and B4FIAR with Gage, my 4 year old.

I will never use another program with my younger boys. We have had the most fun with FIAR and I'm still amazed at how much they learn. The truly amazing part is that they are enjoying themselves so much...they don't want to stop learning. The books that Jane, the author, chose for FIAR are treasures! I've chosen to purchase them rather than borrow them from the library but I think one of the greatest things about FIAR is that you can utilize the library for your readers. This works beautifully for anyone on a tight budget.

I had this saved on my computer from the last time someone asked me what a typical day was like with FIAR... maybe you would like to read it too. It describes a week of FIAR with my son Jack when he was 6

crud. I can't find it. I'll just go with memory here...


~~~~

The Story of Ping (story based on a duck who lives with his large family on a boat in the Yantzee River. Story takes place in China)

Monday ~ Read The Story of Ping. (Geography) Jack finds China on the globe. He locates China on the map and attaches story disc. We look at pictures of China in books and on line. We learn some facts about China & discuss Chinese culture. Later that night, before bed, I read a story about a little girl who lives in china. We discuss the way she is dressed and other Chinese aspects found in the illustrations.

Tuesday ~ Read The Story of Ping. Jack places story disc on the map. (Literature) Discuss "repetition" as a literary device and point out how it is used in the story. We read more about Chinese culture and look at more pictures. Jack and Gage both color a picture of a woman in traditional chinese dress (found on line and printed out). Jack colors a smaller picture of a chinese warrior which we cut out and turn into a bookmark (I laminate and add tassel to top).

Wednesday ~ Read the story once again. Jack places story disc on map. We use colorful construction paper to make chinese "lanterns" (instructions/pattern found on line) which we string on a piece of yarn and hang across the corner of the dining room. We all have a blast making these. (Science). We learn about "bouyancy". We fill a bucket half full with water and use items collected from the house to see if they will float (cork, penny, feather, rock, piece of paper etc). Jack and Gage both have a lot of fun predicting what will and won't float. We look at pictures of the Yantzee River on line and learn why it's also known as the "yellow river". We learn why the Chinese paint eyes on the front of their boats.

Thursday ~ Read story and place disc on map. Jack finds China on the globe again. (ART) We discuss the use of "broken reflections" to give the impression of water and point out how the artist used this techique in his illustrations. Jack paints his own sun and reflection on the Yantzee River on a large piece of paper. We drive down to the lake (only a few minutes from our home) with some pieces of bread in hopes of seeing the ducks. We sit down in the sand and coax them over with our bread. We spend about 10 minutes feeding them. (MATH) When we get home Jack takes the 68 paper ducks (I had previously stamped and cut out. 68 represents the number of ducks in Ping's family including himself) and glues them onto his painted river. We then count the ducks... forwards and backwards.

Friday ~ Our day off. We made Chinese Fried Rice for dinner (found in the archives at FIAR message board) and reflected about all we had learned while eating. We attempted to use chop sticks which were picked up on our way home from the city at a chinese restaurant (free) :)

~~~

so ... you can see, hopefully, how much fun FIAR can be. You don't *have* to so much. I add coloring pages, field trips, art projects etc to spice things up. We spend about 60 - 90 minutes each day reading, looking at pictures, and doing related projects. This time is not always in one sitting. Some of the reading (related books) and fun projects are after dinner. Some days...when the boys don't want to quit and Caden is cooperating then we'll do more. We use to only hs monday - thursday... but I've decided this next school year we will take every other friday off. We use these days for trips to the library, field trips relating to the story we are rowing, and for me to plan the next week or two (I like to be 1 or 2 weeks ahead but it's not necessary).

If you have any questions don't hesitate to email me steague4@hotmail.com

FIAR message board is wonderful. You will find a ton of ideas to go along with each reader in the FIAR achives. It's a huge help and inspiration to me. http://www.fiveinarow.com/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Five+in+a+Row+Message+Board&number=1&DaysPrune=1000&LastLogin=

This site has some great lesson plans for FIAR--
http://homeshare.dreniarb.com

I am going to do a bit of volumes 2 and 3 with my dd who will be 5 in a week. It seems like there are endless possibilities. Even my local YMCA has a hs class based on FIAR.

HTH!
Arlene

thanks for the info

bumping this because someone was looking for it

Don't forget to check eBay and other places for copies of FIAR, etc. on sale because while I have bought a couple volumes new I have also bought a couple that were practically new for less! (My library didn't have any of the volumes but I think it's a great idea to check first.)

*Ask for the books for Christmas and birthday gifts; I have no problem obtaining them that way! If you are on a budget try to buy the Before Five In A Row books and get the others at the library. My reasoning behind this is that the younger set are harder on their books and it's nice to own them (but it's nice to own them all too!).

I'm so proud of my FIAR library especially considering how little I paid for the books..even the out of print ones. I have purchased most from ebay, a few online books stores, vegsource, and a few message boards including amitys.... all for a fraction of the new retail price. I won't ever get rid of them.. plan to read them to my grandkids. :)

I think I have bought all of my fiar manuals secondhand. I doubt I paid more than $15 for each one including shipping. They were all like new.

thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!! Man I just love Amity!!!!!!!!! After reading your posts I went and check FIAR out, and omgoodness!!! I am hooked. Can't wait to talk to hubby about purchasing this stuff and in the mean time I am making up my own FIAR inspired week!!

My dd is almost 4, eager to learn and ready for a bit more "school" than I have been giving her. I was planning on doing sonlight right away, but now, I am sooooo starting with FIAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you once again for sound advice!!

Blessings!!!!!!

You guys are going to have SO much fun with FIAR! I'm so glad I have another little one coming up that I do FIAR with again. Let us know how it goes!