Those who have used TT AND LOF....

Discussion in 'Homeschooling' started by crazymama, Jul 8, 2010.

  1. crazymama

    crazymama Active Member

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    In trying to get back to the fun of homeschooling, I'm going back to LOF! I planned on dumping TT and just using LOF, one of the business maths from simplycharlottemason.com, the Family Math books, math that happens in life, and games for math....BUT, now I'm wondering if I should keep the TT too.

    I really feel it would be over kill to do both and I want to get back to the fun things we loved about homeschooling.

    Back in the day, before I knew about these boards and before I knew about the millions of curriculum that is out there, we just used either Spectrum books or The Complete Book of Math books or even just a Comprehensive Curriculum book and I made up games and activities to teach each concept.. he loved it, and I enjoyed it too. With TT, it took me out of the equation quite a bit, and with the littles, I do need to have some free time to work with them, but I used it mostly becuase he didn't fight ME over it... because he had begun fighting me over everything we did school wise (and looking back at what we were doing, it's no wonder).

    He has a good understanding of the basics.. adding, subtracting, mulitplying and dividing... do you think we would be ok to drop a traditional math now?
     
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  3. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    Yes, it would be overkill.

    The reason I bought TT for Rachael in the first place was that it took me out of it, and I knew nothing about those higher-level maths. But in all honesty, so did LOF for the most part.

    IMHO, I think being taken out is a good thing, especially if he's fighting you. If he's doing the math, is understanding it, and is making progress, I'd go with it. In addition to math, he is learning to be an independent learner. And it frees you up for the younger kids.

    Phillip and I fought over Saxon last year. I finally gave up mid-way and went to LOF. That didn't work; he just wasn't "getting it". So I pulled worksheets, etc., just to get him through the year. Occassionally that meant having him do some of the "review" stuff in the back of Saxon. I have just bought TT5 for him. I don't care whether I am part of it or not, as long as he can learn math without a major fight and fuss each morning.
     
  4. mom24boys!

    mom24boys! New Member

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    My ds going into 7th, is very smart but puts forth no effort and hates school. I decided to more invloved w/him this year, and try to make it more fun before he hits 9th grade. So we are pretty much taking a year off, so to speak. I am changing everything and let him pick a lot of what he wanted to do, w/some guide line helps. W/that said, we used TT for math last year and will pick it up again next year, but this year he is doing "Own your own Sports Store" from SCM. For us, trying to have a great year, and many less problems between the two of us, this will be plenty of math. More info than you asked for, sorry.

    Oh, what is, LOF and Math that happens in life, does that go along w/Family Math Books?
     
  5. crazymama

    crazymama Active Member

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    LOF is Life of Fred

    Math that happens in life isn't a book or a course.. it's just life..lol like grocery shopping.
     
  6. mom24boys!

    mom24boys! New Member

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    Oh, now I feel stupid, I guess that was a bh moment, I don't have many, but that was one for sure. :lol:
     
  7. crazymama

    crazymama Active Member

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    lol. now I feel silly.. what is a bh moment. I am sure it is like a brain fart, or a senior moment or even a blonde moment.. which I have my share of, but what is bh?
     
  8. mom24boys!

    mom24boys! New Member

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    BH moment=Blonde headed moment! Wow, I even Googled "Math that happens in life!" That's bad! ROTFL
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2010
  9. kbabe1968

    kbabe1968 New Member

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    Have you talked to Garret about it?

    I like LOF - but I use it more like a supplement. I leave it around and occasionally my daughter will pick it up and use it. Kinda funny. :)

    My oldest LOVES TT and says she'd never consider another math, ever. LOL :)

    Are you keeping Garrett in the decision making process about what you're using? I know you're trying to go back to more "fun" easy going type approach, which is good...and I totally agree and support. There should be a balance of "you have to do this" type stuff, though, too....does that make sense? There are things in life you have to do even though you don't enjoy them because, well, that's life. There are so many things in my life I wouldn't do if I didn't HAVE TO (like laundry....LOL). I think there's value in the lesson in that....maybe ONE subject. Not all of them, obviously.

    But....I would also include Garrett in the Decision making - especially at that age. I know for my oldest (going into 6th). She's been really involved this year deciding what she wants to use - I gave her the parameters, and showed her the options, but I let HER pick it. (i.e. our evaluator said we don't HAVE to do spelling but should do a vocabulary, so I showed her 4 or 5 different vocab things, let ehr look at them on amazon or where=ever, and let HER decide which one she thought fit her best). Also, I let her tell me the things we did last year that she loved, and wanted to keep (like Easy Grammar and Teaching Texbooks). I picked our History and our approach, so that's a "you're going to have to live with it" type subject - although, we're doing Geography this year so I think she'll like it.

    Am I making sense? I think a certain amount of being involved invests them into doing well.
     
  10. crazymama

    crazymama Active Member

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    Krista, you make perfect sense.

    I haven't let him in on most of the decisions... yet! Only because he isn't here, he is away at camp until Saturday, and this has been the week of my "aha moments" really, so once he comes home I will discuss it all with him.

    I do agree that there has to be things that he has to do/learn, but at the same time I do feel that I can find ways to make all of it as enjoyable as possible for him... think laundry, yes you have to do it, but I don't have to stand at the table to fold it.. I can flop on the sofa and watch something on TV while I do it. So that is the direction I'm heading with it all.. keeping my requirements but making them as enjoyable as possible.
     
  11. kbabe1968

    kbabe1968 New Member

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    Shhhhh....don't tell anyone that! LOL :)
     
  12. crazymama

    crazymama Active Member

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    Maybe it's that to two people who make no sense, they each make perfect sense..lol
     
  13. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    I'm frustrated with Calculus. Rachael did TT pre-Calc last year, and we are lost for this year, as TT doesn't have a Calc book. However they DO have an on-line thing, and I'm pretty sure that's what we've decided to go with. Carl looked at the video of Thinkwell, and said NO WAY, but he's OK with the one TT is suggesting. I've read up on LOF at that level, and was really cool with that. But, as said before, you sometimes have to let the kid have some input. Rachael made it clear that she did NOT what LOF! I think she thinks it more as "little kid" because of the story format. She'd rather have cut-and-dry math.
     
  14. Deena

    Deena New Member

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    Yeah, my oldest wouldn't like LOF either. He needs more cut & dry math also. Ah-oh, Jackie, I have a feeling our two are two much alike. They'd drive each other crazy! ;)

    Sommer: One thing to consider is that if TT is working and Garrett isn't giving you flack with it, then it may be good to stick to what's working! If you switch it up, even though it sounds fun, it may "mess up his world" if you know what I mean.

    I think you have the right idea. There are many ways to make the learning more fun, yet still learned well, as opposed to strict and rigorous with no fun thrown in! Best wishes!
     
  15. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    Oh, dear!!! HOW will I break it to Rachael? Plus Carl and I will now have to go looking for another applicant!!!
     
  16. crazymama

    crazymama Active Member

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    Well, he liked LOF and didn't argue, and he didn't argue about TT... but he didn't put in much effort either to the TT.

    I'm going to make 3 options available to him:

    1. LOF and other "fun" maths and using Key to books if he needs more help

    2. TT with "fun" math options on Fridays

    3. TT along with LOF+thefun maths (2 maths a day)

    I know what kid would choose to do 2 maths a day, but I will tell him my points in doing both.. and will let him make the decision, and as long as he is putting in effort and striving to do his best we will stick with what ever choice he makes... I am ok with any of the options.
     
  17. kbabe1968

    kbabe1968 New Member

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    I think those options sound good! Let us know what you guys come up with together.
     
  18. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    Yep! Those sound like very good options!
     

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