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Carole N.
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| Posted: Nov 29 2006 at 8:45am | IP Logged
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Yes, Nissa that is the advantage of homeschooling. My ds responded, "But Mom you already paid for all of the Saxon books." Yes this is true, but it is a wash when it comes to education. I have used Saxon since he was in the 4th grade, and it has worked great.
But the problem now becomes that Mom is not necessarily understanding the curriculum.  Not that I am a big math expert (like I said the dh is the math professor), but I should be able to hold my own. It comforts me to know that perhaps it is time for a change in the program.
And besides, it provides another avenue for my dd (who is enjoying math this year), and my other ds (who is struggling in math in the public school).
Like I wrote, I was truly frustrated. I felt a failure at teaching ds basic math. The fact that this thread came up was a blessing.
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 Carole ... in Wales
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Anne Marie M
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| Posted: Nov 29 2006 at 9:26am | IP Logged
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Carole,
I encourage you to give LOF a try! My two who did Beginning Algebra last year are doing well in Geometry this year - we're doing enough problems that need the algebra, too, and they're more than holding their own. (We're using Discovering Geometry instead of LOF for Geometry since I've taught out of this book three times already, and I've got a class of nine kids - I needed something familiar.) The rest of the students all did Saxon Algebra I.
I also wanted to comment on an earlier post as to the target age of the books. The author says that you can start Beginning Algebra whenever the kids have mastered basic arithematic. I might argue with that just a bit, because I think a certain amount of mathematical maturity is also needed. However, my 7th grader did Beginning Algebra as a 6th grader (after Saxon's 76 the year before) and did great.
Good luck to you!
Anne Marie in NM
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Carole N.
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| Posted: Nov 29 2006 at 5:23pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Anne Marie and Nissa for the advice. I called this morning and ordered the Beginning Algebra. I spoke with Stan himself, and he was very charming and funny! I feel relieved to have this situation in hand. And he assured me that when my dd arrives at "Pre-Algebra" he will have books for her as well! 
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Carole ... in Wales
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LNHeiney
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| Posted: Dec 08 2006 at 7:04am | IP Logged
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Hi,
I am new to this board and also ordered the LOF Beginning Algebra. I was quite shocked at the content. It had so many worldly ideas in it that I had not planned on discussing with my children. Just a warning to read it cover to cover before giving it to your children For some families it may be perfectly acceptable. For others like us it may not.
Blessings from GA, Laurie
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Dec 08 2006 at 7:19am | IP Logged
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Here's Maureen Wittmann's updated review:
http://maureenwittmann.blogspot.com/2006/12/update-on-life-o f-fred.html
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Carole N.
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| Posted: Dec 08 2006 at 1:08pm | IP Logged
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This is distressing.  I know that I am not going to find the "perfect" curriculum, but I am a little concerned about these worldly ideas being presented in a math book esp. the references to drugs and drinking. Isn't that one of the reasons that we choose to HS, to protect our children from the negative in the world? I may have to re-evaluate my decision.
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Carole ... in Wales
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Karen T
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| Posted: Dec 10 2006 at 10:46pm | IP Logged
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I have LOF beginning algebra and tried it with my son last year as a break from Saxon 8/7 which we both hated. While the story aspect does make it a little more engaging than the usual textbook I'm not comfortable with using it as the only algebra textbook by itself. I was also surprised at some of the stuff in it, although we haven't gone all the way through it. We're currently using Key to Algebra, which is extremely affordable and is very self-explanatory, no-nonsense but plenty of practice problems and seems to go through in a very orderly fashion (I did not like the way Saxon skips around so much, at least in 8/7, my only experience with it).
I have considered trying the new Teaching Textbooks algebra but it's so expensive even without the videos (my ds really doesn't like video teaching) and I haven't been able to see it in person. I'd love to know if it (or Saxon for that matter) covers much more than what the Key To books do.
Karen
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TracyQ
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| Posted: Dec 11 2006 at 10:50am | IP Logged
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Thanks for the Maureen Wittmann review, Cay. It was very helpful. 
I don't have a choice. We use Saxon because my dh asked me to choose one math curriculum when I was switching curriculums for many subjects early on in our homeschooling. He just wanted us to choose only ONE for math, and use it all the way through. That has been his ONLY request in our homeschooling journey, so I comply happily.
I understand his concern, as math curriculums do have different approaches, and the levels among different math curricula can be different in terms of what's covered in which level.
So instead of changing math curricula, I chose Saxon as our math curriculum, and have found ways to use it according to our children's learning style and math aptitude.
The boys skipped Saxon 87, but Sarah will not. We've added the DIVE CD Roms, especially in the later years, and that's been helpful.
Sarah, our 11yo is more manipulative, so I add in maniupatives for her, and can always ADD to the curriculum with literature, games, and other books to illustrate a concept if Saxon's teaching of a certain concept isn't working for one of them.
I do agree, and am grateful my dh asked me to stick with one, because I see the continuity in our math because of it, and that makes me happy. I wish I'd done that with grammar/English now.
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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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LH
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| Posted: Jan 15 2007 at 8:56am | IP Logged
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Is anyone doing LOFBA now?
My son recently started in this book
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Carole N.
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| Posted: Jan 15 2007 at 9:22am | IP Logged
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We started it this year. My ds seems to be able to work through it on his own. Of course, we were using Saxon Algebra prior to LOFBA, but it was difficult for him to see the connections. And it was also difficult for me as well. I am not a stellar math person, but I did well in math when I was in HS. And I really loved my algebra class.
So we will have to see how it develops.
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Carole ... in Wales
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4Real Forums : Living and Loving Numbers
Topic: Life of Fred math books?
