I am trying to decide what to do for math next year. This year we kind of flitted around and picked up things from here and there. I think it works better for us both if we have something solid to follow. We are not religious at all so I try to avoid things that are overly religious. I've looked at Life of Fred and I think it'd be great as a supplemental. She'll be in 3rd grade next year.
We just used a workbook from Sam's club for 3rd grade math. The Complete Book of Math grades 3 and 4. In fact we started it in second grade and finished it in 3rd. I also like the Spectrum series for math. I think LOF will be too advanced for a 3rd grader. We aren't religious either.. it's hard to find things made for us secular homeschoolers.
We love Alpha Omega Lifepacs here...for Math. The only "religious" thing in the Math workbooks is that there is a verse on the first page of each workbook - it is easily skipped, though (in fact, even though we ARE religious...I think it's kinda silly to memorize a scripture for math class! LOL...we never do it!!!) I like that it's spiral so they get reintroduced to stuff and practice a lot. I also like that they are very self paced. My oldest does 4 or 5 pages a day, my youngest, does 2 or 3.
I really like Horizon math. The teacher book and some of the puzzles have scripture stuff but nothing pushy. If that interests you go to cbd.com
I use Lifepacs also. There is a verse in the begining which is wierd, IMO and never read it. I also have used Singapore Math and worksheets from edhelper.com. I am currently doing 3rd grade LPs with DD now.
There's always Saxon! It's very thorough, and not religous at all. I agree, LOF is WAY too much for a third grader.
MathUSee is a good program if you like the mastery approach. Horizons (which is from a religious company but the math is not really that religious, it's math) is great for a spiral approach at this age. You could also check out teaching textbooks. They start at 4th grade but from what I understand is most kids test higher. I know one family that has a 3rd grader doing this. You just need to take their placement test to see if it would work for your child.
Try to get over the religious part and give ACSI a try. This is our first year with it, and it rocks out loud. We'll use ACSI as long as we hs.
I don't want to "get over" any religious anything. I'd like it to not be there, that's why I asked for something without it. Life of Fred is most certainly not too advanced. You really think a third grade child can't do fractions? My daughter has been peripherally doing fractions for at least 2 years.
If she knows her times tables than she can do LOF - it was designed for kids who know their times tables. It's the LEVEL of doing fractions vs just knowing 1/4 of a pie type thing if I am correct. My 7th grader is doing LOF decimals and % and it sometimes stumps him and he is advanced in math. The guy who wrote says it's for 6th grade +. I like AOP LifePacs - I think both kids were very prepared for the next level and do just fine. I liked the fact that there are 10 units instead of a big workbook which can sometimes be daunting.
First of all, there is no need to get snippy... I don't know if you are or not, but it sure seems it. And yes.. LOF is very advanced... it's not "just" fractions. The subject matter is a bit advanced, as is many of the math concepts covered in it... like without telling you how to do it you will be "asked" in the "Your Turn to Play": What is the square of 2 5/8? If you think your 3rd grader can pull that off then more power to you. My 4th grader just finished his 5th grade math book today.. we will be going with teaching textbooks for next year, using 6th grade. We worked in the LOF fractions book for a few weeks this year.. neither of us cared for it. ETA: I do understand "not wanting to get over it" when it comes to religion being in a curriculum. I avoid anything from a religious point of view.. but when you ask a question on a homeschooling board you are going to get suggestions that come from a religious standpoint. I take them all with a grain of salt.. everyone has their own beliefs, I sort through the replies I get and go down the path that works for us. In fact I'm sooo not into religion in our curriculum that I won't even touch Math U See, because the company has a Christian view, even though many have told me there is nothing of a religious aspect in their curriculum.
Let me use the word 'ignore' then., If you can ignore it, ACSI is a good math program. The TE is easy to follow, the student book is colorful and interesting, and everything you need is right there in your TE.
Oh Becky, me feet and ankles are swollen and hurting, my fingers feel like they are strapped to popcicle sticks.. I'm tired and cranky.. I just can't keep my mouth shut, if it annoys me today.. you are gonna know it :twisted:
Ummm... I have been eating sooooo much Easter candy that it makes me Between peanut butter eggs and water weight I gained 6 pounds from Friday to yesterday. I will have to pass on the chocolate... I think I just need the next 4 weeks to fly by (even though I LOVE being pregnant).
