This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Using a literature-based curriculum is so much easier if you get everything organized first. These are my tips for planning Before Five in a Row.
planning before five in a row
I knew that I wanted to use Before Five in a Row with my youngest this year.  But I also knew that I was already very busy with teaching my other children (not to mention homemaking and other activities!).
So, in an attempt to make the experience as stress-free and enjoyable as possible, I decided to organize everything in advance.

Planning Before Five in a Row

First, I ordered books, including the Before Five in a Row guide.

Then I ordered the other books we would need.  We have a very small library system in our town, and they don’t even have most classic children’s books.

I knew I could use inter-library loan, but I didn’t want to rely on that for all of the books, as it would just be too much to ask of our librarian, and it would also be a huge hassle for me. Also, the book selections are what I consider to be classic children’s books that I wanted to own.

So, I sold some books and other things that I no longer needed with the hope of making some money to cover this year’s school book expenses.

It’s nice owning the books, as these are classics that we’ll enjoy for years to come, and it saves so much time and effort that I would have expended in just finding books.  I did decide to get a few of the more expensive (out of print) books through inter-library loan, though.

Before Five in a Row Books

Here are the books we’ll be enjoying together this year:

Printables

The next step was to print off all the printables I decided to use.  I went to Homeschool Share, Homeschool Creations, and Confessions of a Homeschooler for most of these.  And Michelle at Delightful Learning has been a huge inspiration!

I already had this plastic bin that will accommodate hanging file folders, and I had all the folders too, so this seemed like a great place to store all the BFIAR stuff I was accumulating.
After printing off lap book pages and other printables, I made a labeled file folder for each book and filled it with the materials we would need.  I also made a list of the order I hope to focus on each book, as some of them seemed more suited to a specific season.

Now, when I’m ready to do a new book, I simply pull that file, and I’m ready to go!

I’m also planning to do a Letter of the Week type of thing (although I’ll probably spread each letter over more than one week), so I made a folder for the letter of the week book pages, and also these fun playdough mats.
And I laminated everything!  I love laminating things.  Ever since I was in kindergarten and my teacher put a laminated turtle on my desk with my name on it—I thought it was the most amazing thing that you could encase something in plastic like that!—I’ve loved laminated things. I know it sounds weird, but I just love it. 🙂
Anyway, for years I longed to be able to laminate things. And now I have my very own laminator! Thanks to my mom for giving me my first one, and to my husband for replacing it with this one after my original one (a different brand) broke.  🙂 It really helped as I was planning Before Five in a Row activities.

Letter of the Week

These ABC Bible verses go great with our letter of the week study (we’re using the pre-reading program).

I love these do-a-dot pages from Confessions of a Homeschooler:

And we really like the free ABC snack plan you can find here:

All About Reading Pre-Reading

We also decided to add the All About Reading Pre-reading Program to our BFIAR studies, and it is excellent!

Lap Journal

I loved Michelle’s idea to create a lap journal instead of lap books.  I’ve done lap books before, and this idea of a lap journal is totally superior, in my opinion.  So, I got a binder, page protectors, cardstock, and glue, and now we have a lap journal started for Before Five in a Row.

I’m looking forward to watching this journal fill up with memories of all the lovely learning times we’ll have together.

Resources

For Before Five in a Row inspiration, I highly recommend these sites:

I also started a Pinterest board just for Before Five in a Row ideas, and you can find that here.  I’m sure I’ll be adding to it as the year progresses. For homeschool and preschool planning, I’m using this weekly homeschool planner, which you can use year after year.  It’s a pdf document that you can type your information into and then print and file in a 3-ring-binder.

To see what we’re using this year with our older children, click here!
Delightful Learning

Related Posts:

This post contains affiliate links.  Read my full disclosure policy. Sharing here.

Hi, I'm Joy!

I'm a homemaker and homeschooling mom of 5. For over 25 years I've been cooking from scratch and making homemade bread for my family of 7. I love sharing sourdough recipes, easy dinner ideas, and simple DIY projects for your home.

Read more →

You May Also Like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

47 Comments

  1. Jenni says:

    Love the way you have it all organized! Thanks for the ideas and tips. I'm getting ready to start BFIAR with my two-year-old and trying to plan like crazy this weekend. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Joy Kincaid says:

      Thanks for stopping by, Jenni! I hope you have a great year with BFIAR! My three-year-old loves it so much, and I love the time spent together. 🙂

      Reply
  2. LW says:

    So, We're starting BFIAR this year and about 5 o the books are out of print currently – do you have any suggestions for how to get around that without paying like $75 for a book?

    Reply
    1. Joy Kincaid says:

      Inter-Library Loan. That's the best way to get them. We have a seriously tiny library system, and they were still able to obtain the books for me.

      Other than that, you can just keep waiting, and sometimes you can find them cheaper than the outrageous prices people are asking for them. I waited and waited and was able to get "My Blue Boat" for like $4 on Half.com. There's a way to put it on your wishlist or something, and then they'll notify you when it's available. When we saw that amazing price (for a hardback book in excellent condition!), we jumped on it (even though I had already checked out the book through ILL, we wanted to own the book).

      Also, for "Jenny's Surprise Summer," look for "Kittens for Keeps," which can usually be obtained cheaply, and it's based on the same story. We found one used for cheap.

      Hope that helps!

      Reply
    2. Joy Kincaid says:

      I know I already replied to your comment, but I just want to encourage you again that you can find these out-of-print books if you wait patiently! The one book I hadn't been able to get a copy of was "The Quiet Way Home." My husband put it on his wishlist on Half.com, and he was able to find one just a couple of days ago for 1 cent! So, even though most of the copies out there are listed at ridiculous prices, sometimes someone will list one for a really cheap (and reasonable) price!

      Reply
  3. Michelle says:

    we have just started BFIAR with our 2 year old and love it! I also decided to go with the lapjournal – what a great idea! thank you for linking to some wonderful resources.

    Reply
    1. Joy Kincaid says:

      Hi Michelle! I'm so glad you're also enjoying BFIAR, and glad you stopped by!

      Reply
  4. Emily @ My Love for Words says:

    We're going to be using BFIAR this year too (our 1st for homeschooling), but I need to get things organized. I'm going to check out these printables. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    1. Joy Kincaid says:

      Thanks for stopping by, Emily! I hope you have a great year with BFIAR!

      Reply
  5. Lilyofthevalley - Tanya says:

    I'm so glad to see this and this looks like something I would like to do. 🙂 I have another preschooler coming up and this looks like something I really need to look into. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and I will need to get planning now! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Joy Kincaid says:

      We've really loved it so far, Tanya! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Anonymous says:

    You had me at file folders and laminators and that beautiful stack of books! 🙂 I am really enjoying these posts of yours, they are filled with so much great information and encouragement. In fact I sat down today with the material I am planning on using for my 4 year old and started to get things organized. You are so right that a little preparation now can really help later on. I know myself, and if things get too hectic I tend to stop all non-essential schooling. I love the preschool age and really want to enjoy it with my son. Hopefully by being prepared I can make it a great experience for both of us! I have been able to find quite a few books I want on paperback swap which has helped. It's nice to trade in books you no longer want for some that you do. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and insight!

    Angela

    Reply
    1. Joy Kincaid says:

      Thanks, Angela! I really love preschool, too. It's such a fun age. That's great that you've been able to use paperback swap. I've found so many books there, too, and I love getting rid of some we no longer need! I hope you have a great year with your preschooler! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Ginny Gafford says:

    I found this post through Raising Arrows and all I can say is WOW! I too have the Before Five in a Row book for my 3 year old and love what I'm seeing. I'm highly impressed with all the work you've put in for the school year. I'm very organized so I loved seeing how you organized each book and activities! I also love your binder idea so you can look back and see what you did. That is such a great idea and one I may be using in our home. 🙂
    I'm so overwhelmed by all that I'm seeing online for preschool and homeschool in general but you made it look so easy. I loved seeing everything broken down like you did. I will be investigating all your links and seeing what I can come up with for us in our homeschool adventures. Thanks a million!

    Reply
    1. Joy Kincaid says:

      Thank you, Ginny, for leaving such an encouraging comment! I'm thankful if it helps someone else. We started BFIAR in June, so I've already got a few book posts to share, which I'm looking forward to. 🙂

      I hope you have a great year with Before Five in a Row!

      Reply
  8. Keri at Growing in His Glory says:

    This is great, Joy! I'm doing BFIAR with my youngest too this year and this post is so helpful! Thanks! I'm pinning and sharing with my readers on Facebook.

    Reply
    1. Joy Kincaid says:

      How fun, Keri, that we'll both be doing BFIAR! I'm so glad if it was helpful. I've gleaned so much from other BFIAR bloggers, especially Michelle at Delightful Learning. She's amazing!

      Thanks for sharing, too! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Marissa D says:

    What a great plan! I love how organized you are, knowing that you won't really have much organizing time later.

    I would love for you to share with my Cozy reading spot, the link up starts Thursday morning, if you are at all interested.

    I hope to see you there

    Marissa
    https://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com

    Reply
    1. Joy Kincaid says:

      Thank you so much for stopping by, Marissa! I'll be sure to check out your blog and link up!

      Reply
  10. Laura Lane says:

    I MISS HAVING PRESCHOOLERS!

    🙁

    They do grow up much too quickly. Mine are 22, 15, 13, and 11. I thought I had all the time in the world.

    Blessings,
    Laura
    Harvest Lane Cottage

    Reply
    1. Joy Kincaid says:

      Laura, your comment brought tears to my eyes! I LOVE preschoolers. Your words, "I thought I had all the time in the world," were such a reminder to me that I won't always have a preschooler. My oldest just turned 14, and I'm already feeling like it all went too fast. Many blessings to you. ♥ Joy

      Reply