Someone asking about FIAR

[mrsrandolph]

I am trying to convert people I know to HOD

One of my friends asked me how HOD compares to Five in A Row (especially the versions of FIAR for older kids).

She sees HOD as similar to FIAR because guides are for varying age levels and can be used with multiple children.

I don't feel I can give her an answer because I am unfamiliar with FIAR.

Can anyone help?

[netpea]

I am not familiar with the upper levels of FIAR as I have not used them, but I have used Before FIAR and FIAR. We enjoy FIAR and sometimes add it into our school day but we use HOD as our primary program. FIAR is a Literature Based program. Everything stems from the book you are reading. You discuss the art one day, the grammar the next, the social studies aspects the next, math and others another day. Bible is added on if you get the character supplements but not integral.

HOD is a Unit Study based program. While HOD is rich in literature, particularly living books, it is NOT literature based. HOD has a blend of good literature, some textbooks, integrated bible study, and other resources all tied together through the History program into a Unit Study.

Is that what you were looking for?

[mrsrandolph]

Thanks Leann!! Great summary!

[Patience]

I used it for my daughter's 1st grade year, but I do not have experience using the Beyond Five in A Row series, other than they are unit studies based on I think
4 books per semester. Probably the biggest difference I see is that with FIAR you don’t have a daily schedule. You choose the assignments, how far to take them, and the flow of things. For some this is a great blessing to have this flexibility and for others this translates to more planning/thinking than they would like. With HOD you have someone telling you the little bits and pieces to do each day. Another big difference I would note is that because it is literature based, the way you will hit history topics as they come up in the literature, and not in any particular order. I think it really depends on the type of person you are as to which "environment" you would thrive in, but as for me, HOD has been a great blessing and helps me keep my goals realistic and small each day. Hope this helps!

[Emilylou]

I prefer HOD to FIAR because I really don't need to "think" as much... HOD is all laid out for you. To me it seemed like I could pick one or two Art things, or 1 or 2 science things with FIAR.... Go to library get books on this topic or that topic...
I LOVE the stress free lay out to HOD. I like to "check" off each box at the end of the day and move on... I have all the books, and if I don't want to supplement I don't need too.
If I don't plan ahead I can still just open up HOD and still do a whole day of school.

HTH