Ready to leap off the wall (to the FIAR side)

[PamT]

I have been 'on the wall' with FIAR. I've asked a lot of questions. I've bought it, sold it, bought it. I've listened to all the reasons I shouldn't use it. I've been told it has no sequence. There will be too many gaps.

Then I read Cori's post "Not as I pictured" and I was TOTALLY inspired.

I've always "dreamed" of homeschooling in a FIAR way. When we were blessed with 3 more dc, I was determined to have fun with homeschooling them. I wanted to be their teacher, not just hand them a book. I've already 'missed' the younger years of our 8 yo. I bought B4FIAR and all the FIAR books and then got cold feet again. When I read Cori's post, I wanted to her. I hope she finds a way to re-structure her homeschooling dreams. If nothing else, her post made me think that it is time NOW to teach my last 3 boys the way I want to, not the way someone tells me I should. When I think back at my elem. schooling, I don't remember a thing about anything in the FIAR manuals. I was taught w/textbooks. I hope I can find myself comfortably enjoying a FIAR adventure!

Thank you, Cori, and all of you for your help. I am going to a homeschool convention in PA this weekend. Are there FIAR booths I should visit?

Pam

[Susie in MS]

Pam, I know you will enjoy FIAR. It will bring adventure and memories to you and your children.

Right now my dd and I are bouncing back and forth from Prairie Primer to FIAR because she has a huge fancy of the Pioneering Days. We have rowed all of the pioneer books at least once and now that she is older she loves Little House as well. She loves the PP too. All that to say this: I asked her if she wanted to go on to unit 2 of PP next cuz it will involve Indians and I know she will love it. Or did she want to finish Cowboy Charlie and then row Roxaboxin. Well with a twinkle in her eye and a loud shout she said "Cowboy and Roxaboxen!"

We both love, love, love FIAR!

[Robin in Colorado]

When my oldest were 8 and 6, *all* we did was FIAR. That's all. No science or history or even math.

Standardized testing for my oldest was that year. In history, social studies and science, reading comprehension, etc - my 8yo dd tested at the 6th grade or above, even at 9th grade level in social studies.

From only FIAR.

Now, that's not why we do it, or even why we homeschool to begin with. And it's not why I recommend FIAR to every new homeschooler, even if they have older kids.

It's not about the three R's, it's about the fourth R - relationship. Without, academics are meaningless.

[Susie in MS]

Robin, when I read your post I had to read it to my husband. He has seen the fruits of FIAR, and he was shaking his head and saying "Yep." with every sentence you typed! I was gonna reply and tell you how much I enjoyed reading this when our satellite signal went out! I kept hitting refresh hoping that I would catch a signal between rain drops! Well, it is finally back on, and I just wanted to say that I agree with everything you said!

[JenniferMason]

If nothing else, her post made me think that it is time NOW to teach my last 3 boys the way I want to, not the way someone tells me I should.

Thank you. This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear (or I guess, read) at this exact moment. Thank you for expressing your heart. It inspires others.

[Christi in OH]

I can really relate to your post. I did some FIAR with my oldest. I made things too much work with lapbooks and all these grand plans. I too have sold and rebought my manuals. I have wandered off to Waldorf and Charlotte Mason and unschooling, only to confuse myself and get really stuck.

So I yoo am back to FIAR with my young crew here. Keeping it simple this go round.

Thanks from me too for your honest and open sharing.

[Shelly L]

Pam, I know that leaping off that wall will get you a soft landing!! From experience with 'waffling' back and forth myself, I can say that I regret we weren't as consistent with FIAR as I should have been, but just remember to take it 'one book at a time' and walk your way through learning! My best advice on these boards is to remember that "Less is More", because most of us tend to want to overplan FIAR, and it's really rich in its simplicity.

Happy Rowing!

[JenniferMason]

My best advice on these boards is to remember that "Less is More", because most of us tend to want to overplan FIAR, and it's really rich in its simplicity.

Happy Rowing!

Yes - Less is More!

[JenniferMason]

When my oldest were 8 and 6, *all* we did was FIAR. That's all. No science or history or even math.

It's not about the three R's, it's about the fourth R - relationship. Without, academics are meaningless.

Robin,
I am very curious about the not "even math" part. Did your 8 year old really only do the FIAR math? And still did well on the Standardized testing? I know that's not the goal of homeschooling, but math is something I stress about!

[PamT]

Thanks EVERYONE!
I can't wait to see where we are at this time next year---or should I say "where we've been"!!

Pam