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cheesehead mom
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| Posted: July 09 2009 at 4:43pm | IP Logged
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I love the price of Life of Fred but am wondering if there is enough explanation of answers for the student problems. I had been drawn to TT because of their thorough explanations of answers but the price tag is a bit steep. Thanks for any help!
Laura (late in planning in WI!)
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MaryM
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In LoF it is explained in a very different style and format so it's hard to compare apples to oranges. It has plenty of explanation if that is the style that reaches your student. All the explanation is built into the text of the story, then there are examples written out that cover that part of the story. I bought the beginning Algebra a couple years ago but haven't yet used it, but now have an upcoming Algebra student again and plan to use it with her. I think it will appeal to her - she is not a math person by nature and the traditional approach which is so good for some students doesn't always cut it with her. The funny thing is I think I am thinking of going with a combo of LoF and TT, so this is an interesting thread to me.
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Mary M. in Denver
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cheesehead mom
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| Posted: July 09 2009 at 8:36pm | IP Logged
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Mary--SO glad someone else is looking at these 2 diverse programs...I am not crazy:) So, does Life of Fred have the students practice at the end of the chapter and then just give the answers in the back?
Laura
P.S. I am intrigued so may just order one as with 7 kids it is bound to be a fit somewhere...but also trying to watch my budget!
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MaryM
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| Posted: July 09 2009 at 9:11pm | IP Logged
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cheesehead mom wrote:
| Mary--SO glad someone else is looking at these 2 diverse programs...I am not crazy:) |
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Maybe we're both a little wacky  ...
I only have the Beginning Algebra book so that is what I'm basing my answers here on. Dr. Schmidt has a "Your turn to play" section after each of the explanations of a particular concept. Those are problems for the student to work on. The complete solutions are listed right after that and he explains how he got that answer. Then there are review problems with solutions at the end of each chapter.
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Mary M. in Denver
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mooreboyz
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| Posted: July 10 2009 at 6:59am | IP Logged
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Hi Laura,
I excitedly purchased LOF Algebra last year and was really excited by it when I received it and looked through it. It looks funny and interesting and there are 3 sets of questions at the end of each chapter...the first has all answers for the student, the second only odds, and the third none. There are also practice probs inside the chapters. Yes, he does explain a lot of the solutions, but not all. My son did well at first and around Thanksgiving got totally lost. He has always been a math whiz and this took me a back. We backed up in the book and I ended up having to work a lot with him. Having 5 sons in the house made it really difficult for me to spend the time he needed to explain the solutions...I'd just get "into" a problem and then a little one would need me and my son and I just got frustrated with the whole deal. We stuck with it though just to see. and by the end of the year I felt he still didn't have a good grasp on what he had learned.
And so, I purchased TT Algebra for this year. I think having the solutions available for his will be very helpful. I also think having the video and text options for the lessons will be nice for my son.
You could go to TT and try out some of the sample lessons or even let your child. I know it is expensive and so I'm hoping to use it with all my kids. If I would have had him do a year of Prealgebra first, he probably would have been more successful with LOF also. I just thought he would catch on quickly like he always has done before.
Good luck with your decision!
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Jackie
7 boys - 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17 years
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Mary G
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| Posted: July 10 2009 at 7:59am | IP Logged
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One thing I really like about LoF is that Dr. Schmidt is very accessible -- either by phone or email -- to answer any questions or suggest ways of doing things. He's also often at homeschool conferences and is truly a joy to talk to.
Good luck on the decision ....
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MaryG
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my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Carole N.
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| Posted: July 10 2009 at 8:39am | IP Logged
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We started with Saxon and got completely lost by mid-year. So I purchased LoF. Like you, Mary, I really like Dr. Schmidt. But after a few chapters my ds (whose math skills in preschool are one of the many reasons we choose to hs) became frustrated. He felt that concepts were not fully explained. So we also went to TT and we love it. He is completing Algebra II and dd is finishing Algebra I. We will be purchasing the higher level math as well. I really need a program that stands on its own and TT is that program for our family.
Good luck making your decision!
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 Carole ... in Wales
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Mary G
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Carole -- that's interesting! One of the reasons I like to homeschool is that there are so many resources out there for all different learning styles.
When now-18yod was in 9th grade (Seton home), she was doing Saxon (which I don't like and she really didn't like!) and was "flunking" -- I gave her LoF and she finished it in 2 months, went back to Saxon and ended with an A.
Some swear by Saxon ... or TT ... or Jacobs ... or LoF ... or whatever and we're all right! How cool is it when the answer isn't always black and white! I love homeschooling (and can't imagine a classroom of 30 kids where everyone has to use the same textbook regardless of their learning style  ) 
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MaryG
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cheesehead mom
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| Posted: July 10 2009 at 10:35am | IP Logged
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Great discussion and input thank you all! I should 'come out of the closet' and say I am a math teacher by trade so you would think this would not be such a tough decision for me...but honestly teaching math with a big family (even for someone who has done it in a classroom) can get so time consuming if the text is not a good fit. I will keep pondering, and may order both as my daughter is right on my oldest son's tale in math and would be able to use LofF if ds doesn't.
Laura
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Carole N.
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Mary, you are so right about being able to choose what works best for your family. Or even just one student in your family. And that is the beauty of homeschooling. 
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Carole ... in Wales
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Mary G
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Carole N. wrote:
| Mary, you are so right about being able to choose what works best for your family. Or even just one student in your family. And that is the beauty of homeschooling. |
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as is hanging out in a foreign country!
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MaryG
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teachingmom
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cheesehead mom wrote:
Great discussion and input thank you all! I should 'come out of the closet' and say I am a math teacher by trade so you would think this would not be such a tough decision for me...but honestly teaching math with a big family (even for someone who has done it in a classroom) can get so time consuming if the text is not a good fit. I will keep pondering, and may order both as my daughter is right on my oldest son's tale in math and would be able to use LofF if ds doesn't.
Laura |
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Laura,
I have a degree in math and had no problem with choosing math curriculum up until higher levels. This past year my 14 year old tried Life of Fred Geometry, and we bailed halfway through the year. It just wasn't thorough enough and the explanations were taking me too long! I really wanted something she could do on her own for the most part, since I have 5 school age kids now. I bought Teaching Textbooks and it's been working well. But she's still working her way through it this summer due to the late switch, unfortunately. I'm planning to buy TT Algebra 2 for her sophomore year. I hate the steep price, but am willing to bite the bullet for the right results!
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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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cheesehead mom
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Thanks for sharing your experience Irene. I have a similar concern with LofF that I would end up having to give too much explanation to my ds who is not quick at picking up math and would end up getting frustrated...don't get me wrong, I love teaching the kids but baby #7 is due in December and I am trying to be realistic about how much I need the older ones to be more independent. Thanks again.
Laura
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TracyQ
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It's funny to read all of the different reviews of Life of Fred. My daughter was doing Saxon, and our math ended in tears, and frustration daily. When we switched to LoF for her, she'd be reading it, and all of a sudden I'd hear her say, *Oh, NOW I understand it!* Those words were SWEET to hear!!!
Saxon worked great for her two more math minded brothers. For her, she's extremely right brained, and a more traditional approach does not work for her at all! We used Life of Fred, mixed with the Key To Series. This seems to be a pretty good fit for us at this point. She needs everything related to real life, otherwise, she sees no point in learning it. She's a challenge to teach sometimes. 
I've known families where LoF worked, and where LoF didn't. I've known hs families where Saxon worked great, and others where they hated it and choked on it (both in the case of my family, different learning styles). I've known families where Teaching Textbooks was incredible, and others where they thought it was too "light" or didn't work for them. Every family and every child is so different, and I agree that it's so nice to have more choices than in the past to be able to find what will work the best for each of our children.
May God lead you to what is the best for yours... 
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Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Oct 06 2009 at 11:46am | IP Logged
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Reviving this thread...
Can someone compare the style of Life of Fred with that of Jacob's Algebra? I haven't seen Fred. We are struggling with Jacob's. I don't have the time to sit with dd and it is too abstract for her. At this point, I have forbidden her from doing Set IV of each lesson because it can take her hours.
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Molly
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Martha
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My son who loves LoF also likes Jacobs. We are actually doing both bc this is his weakest area.
My other son hates Jacobs and is thriving with lials w/ only occassional help from me.
I also want to note that there is a LOT packed into LOF beginning alg. Some of it is often in other books alg 2 books. This also true of geometry compared to Jacobs geometry, which I also have both of.
I went thru a bit of a math crisis last summer and now own via trade or used or gift of friends :
Saxon thru alg 1
LoF thru geometry
Jacobs alg 1 and geometry
lials BCM thru alg 2
key to thru geometry
Larson alg 2 (chalkdust)
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teachingmyown
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Dd just finished Lial's Basic College Mathematics last year. I hadn't considered looking for an algebra text from Lial. That might work.
Thanks for the comparison between Jacob and LoF. I certainly don't want something similar to Jacob for her. I would buy TT for her, but she stubbornly insists she doesn't want it.
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Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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MarieA
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Here is a sample from the Life of Fred: Beginning Algebra book. My dd has been doing it on her own and only asking me for help when she is truly stuck. It has been going very well for her.
Marie
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Betsy
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I am reviving and old thread......
I am looking into Life of Fred or TT for my 3rd and 4th grader for next year. I have finished Right Start Level E with both of them and need something for the next few years until it is time for Algebra.
One of my main concerns of LoF is that my 3rd grader isn't a strong reader and I don't know if this will frustrate him OR will is give him additional reading practice in a subject he likes????
Anyone what to add to this older discussion? Thanks for any input!!!!!!!!!
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Betsy
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bumping.....
Are these not popular math programs right now? Is there a better one?
Thanks!!!!!
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4Real Forums : Living and Loving Numbers
Topic: Life of Fred
