If you have found this page, my guess is you are somewhat familiar with Before Five in a Row or Five in a Row. Â If not, here is a brief overview:
Five in a Row is a set of books in which you read the same book every day for five days (hence Five….in a Row 😉 ) There are different activities to correspond with the book so that over the course of the week you are fleshing out multiple subjects.  From geography to science, from art to history, so many subjects are here this could nearly be a full curriculum.
Before Five in a Row is the version designed for kids aged 2-4, to experience both great literature and play-based learning.
Here is why I love Before Five in a Row and why I chose it:
1. It is READING based!
We love reading books in our family. And I love introducing my kids both to some books I cherished as a child, and other new great works of literature.
2. It is PLAY based!
The abundance of ideas and activities. I do not do all of these activities and many times come up with my own. But I love the starting board and way that these books can cross so many subjects when sometimes my brain can’t create that. Moreover, I love that my kids are playing and creating and cooking and dreaming and playing some more! You can download a free sample lesson here.
3. This was created by a homeschool mom.
The curriculum is not rigid and set like many I have seen, especially for preschool and younger kids. I love how flexible it is! It for sure is from the brain of someone who understands both the heart and purpose of homeschooling while providing a loose structure for the days/weeks/year. The weeks are interchangeable. The activities are bountiful: do some of the activities, or all of them, or one of them.
4. We are creating moments and memories together as a family.
This is my number one reason. The books are great, and memorable and my kids desire to have them read to them. By tying an activity to the book, they see the material in a new way, plus they learn something tangible whether it is for a subject or just about life. And together we are making countless fun memories.
5. Introduces subjects in a manner that is hands on, Â not worksheet driven.
Hopefully you caught this note above. But not only is it play driven, but my kids are getting exposed to all these different subjects and area just by doing what we would already be doing in life, but with some intentionality and purpose behind it from me. I can tend to play, play, play and miss the teachable moments, and this helps me take advantage of all those opportunities.
Book List
Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?, by N. W. Carlstrom
Yellow Ball, by Molly Bang
My Blue Boat, by Chris L. Demarest
The Little Rabbit, by Judy Dunn
Ask Mr. Bear, by Marjorie Flack
Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey
Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown
The Big Green Pocketbook, by Candice Ransom
The Runaway Bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown
The ABC Bunny, by Wanda Gag
If Jesus Came to My House, by Joan Gale Thomas
Caps for Sale, by Esphyr Slobodkina
The Carrot Seed, by Ruth Krauss
The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats
The Quiet Way Home, by Bonny Becker
Play With Me, by Marie Hall Ets
Prayer for a Child, by Rachel Field
I Am an Artist, by Pat L. Collins
Angus Lost, by Marjorie Flack
Katy No-Pocket, by Emmy Payne
We’re Going On a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen
The Red Carpet, by Rex Parkin
Corduroy, by Don Freeman
Jenny’s Surprise Summer, by Eugenie*
*note: Jenny’s Surprise Summer is currently out of print. It was included as an extra title because it provides an excellent opportunity to present decision making at a very young level.
What intrigues you about this resource? Â If you have used, what did you love about it?
