Family Style School: Before Five in a Row~A review

I want to tell you why I think it is important for you to read this review even if you think you already know Before FIVE IN A ROW.

It is much more than I thought it was.
There are activities in the back with ideas to use on any books.
It is much more gentle than my initial impression.

Back to our regularly scheduled review…..

I was extremely excited for the opportunity to review anything from FIVE IN A ROW. I received Before FIVE IN A ROW.

Before FIVE IN A ROW is really a gently curriculum that takes you through certain children’s picture books and you expand on them. The concept, often referred to as rowing a book, is so simple. You read the same picture book five days in a row (hence five in a row). Each day you choose one or two activities to do that go along with the book, and you do them. There are twenty-three units.

Here are some examples with We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.

The activities are just listed you choose when to do them. This makes the plan very flexible. This is just a sample lesson plan that I put together using those activities.

Day 1: Read the book.

Bible: Tell the suggested Bible stories

Day 2: Read the book, pay attention to the actions.

Drama: act out the story by practicing skipping, pulling, climbing stairs, tripping, and shutting doors.

Experience: Make a mud puddle and play in it.

Day 3: Read the book, pay attention to the illustrations.

Art: Discuss the illustrations while asking questions. (There are suggested questions, such as, “Do you see the flock of birds?” Look at scenes outside your home in the day and in the night.

Day 4: Read the book, pay attention to the family

Comprehension: Talk about the story, and the words that are used. (There are also suggestions in the book.)

Relationships: Family: Talk about families. Talk about your family. Draw a family picture.

Day 5: Read the book, paying attention to the words and how they flow.

Music: Make up a song using the words from the book.

My favorite part of this book for my son’s age is the last half labeled Part Two: A Parents Guide of Creative Ideas for Learning Readiness Sure I will still read these books to him and do the age appropriate activities with him. It is in part two where we will do most of our activities for this year. They are organized in categories.

Activities for Reading Readiness
Coordination
Development of Large Motor Skills
Development of Small Motor Skills
Activities at Bath Time
Activities in the Kitchen
Activities at the Store
Toys
The Arts

Each section is full of fun practical ideas to use with toddlers.

I used this with my just barely 2 year old. (27 months to be exact.) He is just a normal 2 year old. I feel that he is not quite ready for all the activities that go along with the books just yet. This book will be our main curriculum for him over the next two years though. Year one I will focus on just reading the stories and working on the items in part two of the book. Year two I will focus on the books at their activities.

What kids think

Tyler has loved all of the activities in the book that we have done so far. Emily has even enjoyed helping me put together lessons for him. Many of the things while geared for ages 2-4 really all my children from 2-12 enjoyed them. (especially playing in the mud!)

Before Five in a Row as well as many other Five in a Row products are sold at Rainbow Resource. Before Five in a Row retails at $35.

Others reviewed this as well check out this post to see what they had to say.