Life of Fred is a Math "program" that is written more like a story book and follows a story line and throws math in while it's doing it. It's VERY funny and entertaining, but also does a good job teaching concepts. It does not have a lot of "practice" or drills type stuff in it though...and it is very atypical as far as math goes. They start with FRactions, Decimals and Percents...then there's the Algebras and Geometry, and that sort of stuff. My oldest kinda "plays around with them" and does them, stops them, does them again. I would say a 5th or 6th grader could totally handle parts of the Fractions & Decimals & Percents books....but not all of it. I would say, in general, they are geared towards upper elementary and middle all the way to High School. They are fun, even if they are just a supplement. I know many use them as their whole curricula. Personally, I think they're a great springboard or supplement...I would do them AND something else. JUST MY OPINION...
So, what is good to go along with them? I know me, from your good description, I would have to use something w/it.
Polka Dot Publishing is the author's website, btw. I use Teaching Textbooks along with it. Like I said, I leave the books out and let my daughter just "pick it up" when she wants. So I don't really assign it at all. My friend who does Math U See uses it as a supplement too - but she "assigns" it as it goes along with the curricula.
Here's a review from Cathy Duffy (I like her. ) http://www.grovepublishing.com/math/life-of-fred-math.htm
Personally, I feel that they are enough to be a stand alone program. Now they don't have a lot of practice problems, so if you need that you can find worksheets online.. or after looking a bit I think the Key to math series would be a perfect compliment.. or you could make your own extra work. The only ones I have ever heard anyone say wasn't enough for a stand alone was the Fractions book and the Decimals and Percents book... but once you get past those, they have "home companion" books to go with them and add extra practice. I have also heard that the author is working on a series of books for younger kids now. Oh and Garrett didn't have any trouble (other than wanting to just copy the answers) in Fractions last year, we stopped at chapter 10 because I got frustrated with him, but he was breezing right through it.
If you know multi-digit multiplication and division, you're probably ready for LOF. I plan to go straight into it after Miquon. For now, the plan is to use LOF exclusively, but I'll see how the kids do when we get into it.
LOL...I thought I made sense, Crazymama!!! LOL Cathy Duffy's review does state that she feels it works fine as a stand alone, so I can totally give you that. I just think math should be torturous and not fun. (LOL!!!!! Just kidding!!!!) What's Key to Math...I've never heard of that before? THANKS! OH...and BTW...if Stanley Schmidt every does write a program for younger kids, I'll be ALL OVER IT!!!!
Wow. THose look cool. Thanks....never heard of them before. They look like fun supplemental books to take on trips and such....
I think they would be perfect for a companion to LOF for a student who was struggling with it and was using it as their main curriculum... so I plan to keep that in mind if we go the LOF route.
I agree with crazymama. LOF can be a stand alone program. On another site I go to, someone compared LOF with other curricula that people use as complete programs, and they covered the same topics and the same amount. That surprised many people! She's also right about the Home Companions. Those have more a a schedule and more practice problem. There is no HC for the Geometry book though....I wish there was! He recenly (a year ago?) finished a Pre-Algebra with Biology. I think he's also writing Pre Algebra with Physicss, and one other one??? Anyway, they're all good books, and CAN be stand-alone!