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"Introducing Five in a Row"
August 22, 1994 Conference held on Compuserve's Christian Homeschool Forum Moderator:Jane, we've already been talking about your book on the forum. Let me remind everyone of the way we'll do it tonight. We'll let Jane briefly tell about her unit studies. Then we'll take questions and comments. If you have a question, type "?" If you have a comment, type "!" Then please wait until you are told to "ga" or go ahead! Thanks! Jane? Are you ready? Jane Lambert: Ready as I'm likely to get. (smile) Well, I'd love to know WHAT you've all been saying about Five in a Row but (smiling) I'll assume it's been positive! As several of you may be aware Tamara asked me to do a forum conference in the "other" homeschooling forum several weeks ago and the transcript of that conference is available for download. I'm sure Tamara can give you the file name, etc. and since all of our time is precious I'd like to skip over some repetitive information from that workshop and let you download it for yourselves and instead provide you with "new" information...(for the most part)
Briefly my husband and I have homeschooled for 12 years (just began #13
today!) and over those years have used unit study as our primary approach
because it allows our children to explore all of the various subject areas
through a "gateway" that's of interest to them approaching learning in a
unified manor rather than handling individual subjects discretely as if they
were unrelated.
Five in a Row is an approach to early childhood learning for ages 4 to 8
which takes outstanding children's literature and uses it as the "gateway"
to approach social studies, language arts, art, math and science. By reading
a children's book, such as Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel each day for
five days aloud with your child (or children) and then exploring the five
subject areas (one for each day of the week) children develop positive early
learning experiences doing what they'd be doing anyway (sitting next to mom
while she reads them stories) and learning at the same time.
Many of the exercises and lessons in Five in a Row use a "try doing this
'in the manner of' or 'after the style of' the author or illustrator. My
conviction is that children learn through a three step process which can be
identified as 1) Appreciation, 2) emulation or imitation, and 3)
integration. That is Children first appreciate, or notice something for the
first time because you called their attention to it then they emulate or
imitate a style as an exercise and someday they integrate that style to
their personal "tools". For instance You might find an example in Five in a
Row in which a 6 or 7 year old is invited to explore first vs. third person
examining the personal pronouns, etc. He suddenly "appreciates" that there
IS such a thing as third person then you might invite him to try writing or
dictating his own brief story in third person. Hopefully someday...perhaps
when they're 12 or so you'll ask for a 500 word short story and your child
will think "gee...I wonder if I should use first person or would third
person be a more effective way of telling this story?" Now they've
INTEGRATED the concept into their own set of literary tools. Well enough
"lecture" perhaps someone has a question.
Question: How would I use this for my 4 year old who's not reading or writing yet? Jane Lambert: Good question. Five in a Row is created for non-readers as well as readers. Whenever you come to a lesson which you might choose a 7 year old to write you'll want to invite your 4-year-old to discuss you may simply handle it conversationally or you may invite them to "dictate" their answer to you, or into a simple tape recorder. All of Five in a Row is written in a discussion format because we want to blur the line between reading a book together and "teaching" so every point you bring out is brought out casually, conversationally after you've finished reading. There are also vocabulary cards designed for non-readers using illustrations instead of words so that even 4-year-olds can share their new "vocabulary" with dad when he gets home. (NOTE- the vocabulary cards are not physically included...but rather examples of how to create your own!) Question: Jane, where did the name come from 5 in a row? I got here late - you may have already said. Jane Lambert: (smiling).... It is rather enigmatic...isn't it? It comes from the fact that you read the same story every day, five days in a row exploring Social studies on Monday...language on Tuesday then Art, math and science. Question: What kind of prep time does this entail? Jane Lambert: Five in a Row was designed to be self-contained your preparation time will normally be less than 5 minutes daily everything you SHOULD need...is included, things like definitions of foreign words or phrases, pronunciation guides, background information, etc. Your only job is to read the several (2-8) lessons available daily and select one or two to "do" with your child. Comment: We got it today, Jane!! We had a wonderful time. We read The Story About Ping immediately. Then we did the discussions for Literature: A Classic Story, Fiction, & Repetition. This tied in perfectly with our Creating Books unit study!!!! Gave a great ending to our first homeschool day!! Jane Lambert: (clapping hands!) Comment: Did y'all see that IMMEDIATELY!!! Jane Lambert: Thank you Kathy...that's VERY encouraging. I always appreciate hearing a good report. That's FAR more important to me than simply selling a book. I created it to be a blessing. I'm delighted you're enjoying it!! Question: You mentioned vocab cards. Are they integrated with a recommended reading list, or do we use our favorite books? Jane Lambert: The vocabulary words are drawn FROM the book you're reading each week. Each week you'll be using a different children's book and on Tuesday when you do "language arts" you may choose to do "vocabulary" as part of your day's work using new words encountered in this week's title. Question: Do you supply a list of books, or do we choose our own? Jane Lambert: Volume 1 uses 19 specific titles which I've chosen on the basis of 1) great story 2) great illustrations and 3) Christian character traits. All the books should be available in any library. Question: When did you come out with 5 in a Row? How many volumes are there? Jane Lambert: Volume 1 was printed at the beginning of the summer. Volume 2 (21 additional titles) will be released in October. Question: Are the volumes age related? Jane Lambert: It's new....and thankfully...very well received so far. No. Comment: Thank you. Jane Lambert: each volume is for ages 4-8 and each volume is intended to cover approximately 1 semester. 2 volumes will take you through a year all together, 32 school weeks using 40 titles (there are 8 extra titles) in case you find one or two which is NOT available in your local library or which, for one reason or another, you choose not to use. if you use them all you will have 40 weeks of material. Question: I know my 2 year old will be tagging along on this one. He loves to be read to. Will he be able to participate in any of the activities? Jane Lambert: Sure... It's amazing how much a 2 year old absorbs when they're included. any 2 year old will have comments and questions once he grasps the concept that learning means reading a book and discussing what you've read. They'll always love to participate in art days on Wednesdays too... but you might want to do it outside! (smile) Question: Can you use this program for more than one age? Jane Lambert: Absolutely!! I have one friend who is using Five in a Row with 5 children from age 4 thru 13. Let me add that one could teach a high school or college class using Five ina Row!! (In fact I've wondered if I couldn't get a 1/2 million dollar government grant to try!!) Anyway...seriously... if you're discussing a language arts lesson on the four components of a story's plot for instance (conflict, rising action, climax and resolution of conflict) you might explain them and ask the four or five year old to try to find the "exciting" part of the story...the climax then perhaps ask an 8 year old to identify the page where each of the four components took place and ask a 12 year-old tag-along to write a 400 word short story including and identifying each of the four components in her story. They all share the reading time and discussion then each go their separate way to do their assignment. Comment: My 7 year old insisted on participating right along with my 4 year old. He thoroughly enjoyed it!! Jane Lambert: (smiling) That's the way we WANT it to work!!! Anyone else? Question: What is the cost and what is included? Jane Lambert: ive in a Row costs $19.95 (plus $3.50 shipping & handling) and is a 150 page, spiral bound book with acetate covers. It is printed single sided so you can make teachers notes on the blank, opposing page. It includes "story disks" for each book (to place on a world map as part of geography) blank story disks, for your OWN titles, a variety of project sheets, a "how to" section, a master index, lesson planning sheets, etc. Comment: My only question is how long does it take to get here?! We're eager to get started! Jane Lambert: (looking at clipboard).. Comment: My little ones ask me each day! Jane Lambert: Your copy was mailed on Thursday so should be there soon!! Comment: Great! Jane Lambert: Any other questions?? Since this is a Christian forum let me talk briefly about the spiritual content. Five in a Row is NOT explicitly Christian rather..it is IMPLICITLY Christian from cover to cover. My husband has been a pastor and/or on staff of a large church for most of the past decade. We were both saved in 1975 and are thoroughly committed to teaching sound, Biblical principles to our children. However, we were eager to see the content of Five in a Row, the strong Christian character traits, available to non-Christian homes, schools, etc... Cathy Duffy, who just reviewed Five in a Row recently says of it... "While there are no Biblical references, Five in a Row repeatedly teaches positive character qualities which tie easily to Scripture (e.g., forgiveness, compassion, honesty). We are contemplating doing a Christian "Supplement" later this year which would include specific Scripture verses for each story but any Christian parent will want to add their own verses as well. Question: Could you give an example of a suggested project? Jane Lambert: Sure... In "The Story About Ping" you'll discuss an illustration in which a boy has a barrel tied to his back for flotation while swimming. You can discuss buoyancy or with an older sibling perhaps ask them to research specific gravity or density. Then have your child (or children) gather items around the house.. penny, eraser, match stick, etc... and try predicting which items will float in a glass of water. When doing Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel there is a pattern to make a pinwheel, to be attached to a pencil eraser with a sewing pin and carefully held over a teakettle to explore the truth in physics that steam does indeed produce energy capable of moving objects. There are lots of projects...does that help? Question: Yes. This sounds like it is right up my alley! Jane Lambert: If you want more than textbooks and work sheets enjoy spending times curled up with your child on the couch reading and are curious about life in a "hands on" environment you'll have a great time with Five in a Row. Comment: Many young mothers have told me that they didn't know how to choose good children's literature... I think this would give them a good start! Jane Lambert: Thank you Tamara... I've actually explored more than 1300 children's books (I still bring home 25-50 weekly) and I've selected the 40 titles of Volume 1 and 2 very carefully! Question: This sounds like something we would really enjoy- any suggestions for convincing dear husband?? I really like what I'm hearing about it! Jane Lambert: Interesting question (smiling) Because Five in a Row takes so little preparation time we've actually had a number of husbands buy it who have said "My wife does most of the homeschooling during the day but when I get home at night, I'd like something I can do with my children for a half hour or so in the evening after dinner!" (BTW...several grandparents have bought it as well) The other argument that husbands appreciate is the cost ... 19 unit studies for less than 20 dollars is a bargain and by the way since most lessons include several lessons to choose from lots of homeschoolers note in the margin which lesson or lessons they did in Sept, 1994 and plan to break the curriculum out again in a year or two when their 4 and 6 year old are now 6 and 8 and use it again with completely NEW LESSONS! Comment: I'm going to tell him that!! Thanks! Jane Lambert: How bout that....2 years curriculum for less than $20??? (smiling) Comment: I've noticed by looking through your book that the lessons appear to get progressively harder. Is it set up this way? Sorry it was a question! Jane Lambert: I wish I could say it was that consistent Kathy... but in truth...there are several ideas for each day and they're not necessarily in order from easy to hard. In truth... most lesson ideas can be taught at any level like the "first person/third person" example I gave earlier. Comment: Just that you've given William an idea about participating in this unit study at nights! The kids will love it! Jane Lambert: Interesting! You know lots of homeschool fathers would love to be able to participate but often feel overwhelmed by all the textbooks and workbooks and schedules. Five in a Row can help break through that gender barrier for homeschoolers. I had one father at a curriculum fair in Denver a few weeks ago who really touched my heart. He said "You know...I want to do this with my child because I grew up in a home without books as a child and I never got a chance to read these classics for myself. I want to read them and see what I missed and make sure my own children don't miss out on them too." So that father and his several young children are now on a learning adventure together....it's wonderful!! Comment: Jane you have done a great job with this. I am now finding all of the different indexes and helpers that you have in the back of the book! I am very excited about this!! Jane Lambert: Well....hopefully... you'll continue to discover new things as you work through the curriculum. I wanted it to be a pleasurable adventure for both teacher and student. In a brochure I said something rather Madison Avenue sounding like "The way you always hoped homeschooling could be" but I really meant it I tried to create Five in a Row to be easy to use and fun for everyone involved including the teacher!! Question: Can you tell me some of the things you do to incorporate Math. Do you intend this to be all the math they need or suggest using another curriculum as well? Jane Lambert: or a four year old...it is a self-contained curriculum but for ages 5 and up it needs a systematic math curriculum and a phonics/reading curriculum as well. Five in a Row becomes an enrichment curriculum...to supplement those systematic, sequential fundamentals as to examples... they are obviously simple, drawn from the books, activities like counting, grouping by twos or threes, greater than/less than, larger, larger largest, simple geometric shapes, etc. Question: Just curious to know if you have chosen "The Little House" by Virginia Burton to go into any of your books? Jane Lambert: Interesting you should ask the answer is not yet" although that's on a final list of consideration for Volume 2. I have include 2 other Virginia Burton books in volume 1 ... Katy and the Big Snow and Mike Mulligan. Moderator: You've done an excellent job of explaining everything, Jane! It's been an hour...anytime you want to open it up is fine. Can't wait for my copy to get here! Great job Jane! Would you like to post your address here, Jane? Jane Lambert: Sure Tamara..thank you... to order Five in a Row... Make your check payable to: Jane Lambert, 14901 Pineview Dr., Grandview, MO 64030-4509... You can also call to discuss it (816) 331-5769 but we don't accept credit cards so we can't take telephone orders. The curriculum is $19.95 plus $3.50 shipping... for a total of $23.45 ...we generally ship within 48 hours of receipt of order. Moderator: Jane, we'll be uploading this conference to the library. We'll also upload the notes from the other conference so members will have both available! Jane Lambert: Good Tamara..thank you for the opportunity to be here this evening...it's been delightful...you're all wonderful..and very encouraging! |
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