Learning Through Literature: A Review of Five in a Row

Please note: unit studies of any kind are intended to be supplemental to direct instruction in Reading, Language, Math, and Phonics.

For children ages 8-12 the Beyond Five In A Row series uses the same type of lesson plans but using chapter books rather than picture books.

Check out the Five In A Row website for frequently asked questions and articles by Jane and Steve Lambert about the use of literature-based unit studies in the homeschool. You will also want to stop by the message boards to see what ideas other Five In A Row users are sharing. But don't stop there.

A whole community of Five In A Row-ers online is ready and willing to help other "rowers" with fresh ideas for the stories used in Five In A Row. You can go through the Five In A Row webring to browse through 21 sites with supplemental helps and encouragement related to the Five In A Row curriculum.

Two of the best sites Susan's FIAR Internet Resources and Carol Ryan's Homeschool provide plenty of information for the new homeschooler or one who is lacking in the confidence to use literature based unit studies like Five In A Row.

sites Susan's FIAR Internet Resources is a great resource for links related to Five In A Row or any school subject for that matter. You'll find links to outline maps and flags to color, FIAR co-op activities, online worksheets and puzzles as well as all other subjects. But the most helpful is the book specific list, where you can find links to expand each of the books used in the FIAR curriculum.

The second site, especially for those in states requiring regular assessment is Carol Ryan's Homeschool site with FIAR resources, including a sample notebook that she uses to document her children's academic progress. In addition, she lists 100 field trip ideas and great a how-to article detailing the process of making an inexpensive timeline complete with pictures. A truly helpful feature for frugal homeschoolers is a list of resources for finding used FIAR books. Thank you, Carol and Susan.

So, if you want to keep your children enthralled with learning through living books rather than dry textbooks, Five In A Row is a curriculum you should at least investigate. And for the earliest learners, Before Five In A Row is a perfect way to make memories together through reading, observing and talking through some of the

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