Using FIAR (and/or Beyond FIAR) as a supplement?

[edeemarie]

Now that we seemed to have hit our groove in our main subjects I would love to add something to our afternoons that is fun and enjoyable for the kids. I have never used FIAR but it keeps coming up in my search for fun activities with books.

 

So my question is: has anyone ever used this as a supplement to their regular subjects? We are happy with the other things we are doing and I don't want to change that, so would adding this be too much? I am looking for something that takes about 30 minutes or so.

 

I would love to include the little boys (ages 2 & 4), but as the same time I don't want it to be too babyish for the older 2 (ages 9 & 7). Should I use Beyond FIAR for the older 2 and either FIAR or Before FIAR for the youngers? I think according to their suggestions I should actually be doing all 3, but if you had to pick 2 which would be a good fit?

 

Thanks for any suggestions or advice you have:)

[Susie in MS]

I don't use it as a supplement, but yes you can do that. If I were to choose two of the 2 levels I would go with FIAR and BY. Just using it as a supplement I would pick 1 lesson per day and not add to it (unless you want to). With BY I would just read what is in the manual and not worry about the child doing extra research into the topics presented....again, unless you all just find them too interesting to pass up.

[skeeterbug]

Have you seen the Delightful Learning blog? She details their activities with FIAR. It would be easy to just pick and choose some activities without having to do it all. The manual breaks it down by subject, so you could easily choose a math activity, an LA activity, a craft, etc. I think you'll be able to find books that will fit all three, I'd go with FIAR and add some easy crafts, etc. for the younger two.

 

 

http://delightfullearning.blogspot.com

[elizabeth rose]

I've been thinking abt this too for my 4th grader. I was thinking since you don't want to spend a lot of time, letting the kids browse the manual and maybe pick an activity or two per week that that want to do related to their reading.

[Tracy]

My almost 8yo still likes sitting in on FIAR with little brother. If you want the youngers to participate, I would go with FIAR. But with that age range, you are either going to have to accept that it will be a little advanced for your youngest and a little young for your oldest unless you tweak/supplement it.

[edeemarie]

Thank you all for your suggestions! At the very least I am going to try FIAR with the younger 2 and see how it goes. We already do a lot of reading, but I want to add something in with some activities to go with the books. Sounds like FIAR may be a great fit!

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

I have BFIAR for my 3-almost-4 year old. I thought the books would be too "young" for her, since she sits in on a lot of big brother's books, but she LOVES them. Actually, big brother loves them too. I'm glad I didn't miss this book set. I have the manual, but really usually just use the books as read-alouds.