So now that I am doubting my phonics choice for the year I figure I might as well start doubting the math:roll: Anyway.. Life of Fred. Has anyone used it? Opinions? Likes/dislikes? (my original choice is Horizons)
We use Life of Fred and LOVE IT! It takes a completely different approach than your average math curriculum. It isn't for everybody but if used as directed, it is a complete curriculum. My daughter is in high school so I do not know what the lower levels of LOF are like.
I'm looking at samples right now and I am wondering if it would be too tough for him. I would be using it for a kindergarten level and he is getting very into saying "Mommy! 5 and 2 more is 7!" and gets so excited when he is right. He knows all of his shapes, colors, grouping, long/short/wide/tall, etc. So some of the programs I look at seem like they maybe start off too simple but I don't want to overwhelm him, either....
We are using it, and it's working very well. There were moments when I had my doubts, but am seeing good things happening. Dr. Schmidt's explanations work very, very well for my son who is not intuitive about math concepts. He is currently working on Life of Fred:Fractions (which is way past where you are). The stories capture his attention and illustrate the concepts well. This works great -- when he pays attention. We are both learning (him the hard way), that if you breeze through the chapters because they're "fun," with just a token nod at problems you get wrong, you can't pass the test (in LOF, tests are called "bridges," and you get five shots to cross a bridge). I think he was pretty devastated the first time he couldn't cross the bridge in five attempts, but I made him re-do the preceding chapters, and a miracle occurred. He realized he hadn't been paying attention. <thunderous applause in my head> At this level (again, past where you would be), the emphasis is on grasping the concept with a small amount of practice, as opposed to something like Saxon, with tons of practice. I nearly wen that route with this son, because (with math facts) he just loved those rows of practice problems...because he can memorize the answers without thinking about what they actually mean. The truth is, when you're diving fractions or multiplying mixed numbers, you can't get away with that. Aside from teaching him the math concepts, LOF is also teaching him that it's important to actually understand, to make an effort to understand, and you can't just slide by. Actually, it teaches that you can, but it will bite you at some point. Now, we've used some of the earlier LOF (the elementary levels) also. Only some because I didn't discover them until last year. The upsides: the kids LOVE the stories, Even my oldest (who was 8 last year) found the stories engaging, and I think he was learning a lot of concepts he'd struggled with without feeling like it was too babyish. Great explanations/illustrations. even I learned a thing or two Dr. Schmidt brings in other ideas, like the evolution of language. It's math learning set in sort-of-real life (as real as a 5yo teaching university gets LOL) My kids really seemed to understand ideas I would not even have bothered with because I thought they wre "too" young. The cautions: PRE-READ. I can't stress this enough. There is at least one story line that, even if you're okay with as an adult, you definitely want to be prepared to discuss it at length with your child (animals being euthanized because of shelter overcrowding). I do not believe the LOF elementary series is "enough" math for early elementary. I suspect that Dr. Schmidt may be right, and that llots of worksheets aren't necessary, but I still think they need TONS of practice with counting and using all those addition/subtraction/multiplication/division facts. Hands-on is fine. With three kids, my attention is divided enough that I allowed my boys to use worksheets for part of their work. The ones who liked worksheets did more, the others less, but it was more practice. All that said, if it were me, I would probably not start the LOF elementary series with a child in kindergarten. But, my boys would not have been/are not ready at kindergarten. HTH
I would hold off on real math until 1st grade. I think for K I would just use fun things like counting bears, M & Ms, dominoes, etc. for counting, sorting, adding/sub, that kind of thing. Do hands-on fun stuff. We use LOF and love it, but I would start LOF in 1st grade, have fun in K.
If you want to start LOF in K, I'd use only the apples book and supplement with lots of learning through play. Even older elementary kids can learn by going back and reading the earliest LOF books, so take your time going through them.
didn't work for my kids - they are older than yours though - that age you can try anything and still have plenty of time to change your mind. :lol: We just played with numbers and pizzas and m&ms till 1st grade
I have heard great things about the program too, though have never used it. I have read that some people feel it is not a stand alone curriculum though- but a nice addition to what you are doing. Don't know how others feel about that- for those who have used it- is it all you use or add to it? Otherwise I agree with others by doing lots of hands on activities and building a foundation for math =). *Side note- I used Horizons K briefly, found it moved too fast too soon for us, but liked 1st grade better- but with different kids too*
With my son, we did the entire elementary series this past year (4th), and for 5th we are starting fractions book. We will probably use the Keys To... for extra practice.
eyeofthestorm- That was really helpful-thanks! I am going to be doing all the hands on stuff as well but plan to get a curriculum to start working through as well. I think we will wait on LOF
I started my 4th grade daughter with LoF Apples when I pulled her out halfway through 1st grade. She loves the series, and we still use it. We haven't gotten to the questionable storyline yet, but I read about it, and checked into it. Apparently, the author amended the ending, so that no pets are euthanized. The oldest two use some of the high school level LOF books, and the oldest loves hers, but my middle DD is having some problems because the math is not "visual" enough for her. I may have to change her to another curriculum. We do use this as a complete curriculum.
