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Martha
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| Posted: Feb 23 2008 at 9:16am | IP Logged
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Okay folks here's the deal.
We use MCP math through 4th grade without a problem. Maybe get some living math books at the library to make it "real" to them, but they zip right through it without a problem.
In 5th, we've switched to Saxon for 2 students the last 2 years. We all hate it. Even the one who really likes math offerred to burn the book in the name of a science - well for a science experiment anyways. The DIVE cd was even worse than the book.
So I need something to replace Saxon 54 (for my 5th grader) and for algebra 1/2 (or saxon 87? I think they are pretty interchangeable?) for my 7th and 8th graders. (1 is advanced and enjoys the subject. the other is right at or slightly below level, mostly because he has had a very hard time absorbing it from saxon.)
I've heard good things about L of F and Jacobs.
I want a very good, solid program, advanced if possible, but I'd also like my kids to not want to burn their math books and I have 5 other littler ones to educate, so I would like it to not be overly teacher needed.
So what can you tell me about these two materials?
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Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
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Denise in IL
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| Posted: Feb 26 2008 at 9:33am | IP Logged
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Life of Fred is solid math and fun reading (if you like that sort of humor), and can be worked independently for the most part, but be sure to get the book with the extra homework problems, too. Even with that, my son is not sure he's getting enough practice to master the math. He understands everything, but he isn't sure that it is sticking in his mind for the long term.
Jacobs has plenty of practice, and my daughters both worked it (almost) independently. It is more textbooky, but there are cartoons with many of the lessons. I have been thinking about having my son do some of the Jacobs lessons (or at least the tests) for extra practice.
With either of them, it helps for the parent to be fairly comfortable with algebra, so you can answer any questions that come up or settle anything that confuses your student. I think the two programs would combine well, if a student was willing to do that much work.
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Carole N.
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Okay, we had the same problems with Saxon Math. We switched to Life of Fred. My son just felt that it did not go deep enough for him. It explained how to work the problems, but not all of the theory behind it.
We switched to Teaching Textbooks. My ds loved it. He was completely motivated learning all that he needed to know (three algebra textbooks should be enough).
I have heard wonderful things about Jacobs, and this year we are using it for geometry. My ds does not like it as much as TT, but we are overseas and paying the shipping on a new book is a bit out of the question. He is managing quite well, but enjoys TT more. It is published in OKC, so you will have to pay tax unless you order through a bookseller.
Blessing in making your decision!
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 Carole ... in Wales
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donnalynn
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| Posted: March 03 2008 at 5:56pm | IP Logged
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From 5/6th grade up - I think we've decided on Life of Fred combined with the workbooks from the Key To... series.
We're not up to algebra yet - but my dd just got the decimal/percent book in the mail and couldn't wait to dive in - she is not a math person. I am so grateful for the spark of enthusiasm that L of F has given dd for math.
We are using the Key to... books to introduce new topics with L of F serving to deepen, review, and keep the interest level up. So right now we're about to go into the third Key to... Book for Decimals while we finished up L of F Fractions.
Both of these programs are very reasonably priced which allows us to do both. It's been a good balance so far. I am pleased to see that L of F Decimals/Percents does give occasional problems that use the work done in the Fraction book.
We tried one year of Saxon Math and it served a purpose that year but I don't think we'll be going back.
We'll have to see how far this plan takes us. 
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Martha
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| Posted: March 03 2008 at 6:16pm | IP Logged
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Well I've decided on Life of Fred. I'm ordering Fractions, Decimals, and Beginning Algebra and praying it works out. Can't be worse than Saxon is for us.
I could be wrong, but isn't TT DVD based? We are really finding that DVD or computer based programs just don't work for us.
I was able to look at Jacobs' Elementary Algebra and Geometry. They do seem more appealing than Saxon, not that that would take much here, but I think the layout of LofF might stick better with my oldest.
So. I'm going with Life of Fred.
I'm going with Life of Fred.
I will not second, third, or tenth guess the decision.
It WILL work out fine.
And if it doesn't, it does not signify the end of the world or my abilities.
I cannot and will not buy 1 of every option to see which would be best.
I will not drive my beloved insane with talk of differences or to bankruptcy with curriculum purchases.
I AM going with Life of Fred because I really think it might be the best choice for us at this time.
No worries or stress.
Breath in.
Breath out.
I'm going with Life of Fred.
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Martha
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cvbmom
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| Posted: March 03 2008 at 9:03pm | IP Logged
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Martha wrote:
So. I'm going with Life of Fred.
I'm going with Life of Fred.
I will not second, third, or tenth guess the decision.
It WILL work out fine.
And if it doesn't, it does not signify the end of the world or my abilities.
I cannot and will not buy 1 of every option to see which would be best.
I will not drive my beloved insane with talk of differences or to bankruptcy with curriculum purchases.
I AM going with Life of Fred because I really think it might be the best choice for us at this time.
No worries or stress.
Breath in.
Breath out.
I'm going with Life of Fred. |
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OK, I have to print this out and repeat it every time I have to make a curriculum choice/purchase. Maybe it'll help 
Thanks!
Christine
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Wife to dh - 18 years!
Mom to dd (16), ds (15), dd, (12), dd (11), ds (9), dd (8), dd (7), ds (5), dd (3), ds (2), and ds (1)
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CKwasniewski
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Golly, aint it the truth!! Too many choices! AaaaaaaaaaaaaaaGGH! 
ck
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donnalynn
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| Posted: March 05 2008 at 9:44am | IP Logged
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CKwasniewski wrote:
Golly, aint it the truth!! Too many choices! AaaaaaaaaaaaaaaGGH!
ck |
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I so agree!
Martha - you gave me a good giggle - I do hope it's a good fit. It is difficult to qualify why a resource works and another doesn't.
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donnalynn
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SallyT
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| Posted: April 11 2008 at 10:16pm | IP Logged
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Revisiting this, because I'm trying to decide between LoF and Teaching Textbooks for geometry. I had thought about doing LoF and the Key To books, which my math-phobic daughter has liked and done well with. That would be so much less pricey than TT, too . . .
This year, for algebra I, we have a tutor and are using, at her direction, a Scott-Foresman text and Key To. Not a thrill, but we're getting through it. But I'm worried about next year, when we'll have moved, and the great (free) tutor won't be near us any more, and I really want something that doesn't require me to know how to solve the problem, because if I have to know, then we are in trouble!
Anyway, thanks for the discussion -- I'm still undecided, but it's helpful to hear what others are thinking.
Sally
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chicken lady
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Will someone link the Key To source? I am not certain what this is and I am unable to pull it up. I am following this thread with interest, I have a (soon to be 7th grader) that I am thinking of buying a formal math program for.
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 8:37am | IP Logged
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Keys to Algebra
You also have to get the Answers keys separately.
These workbooks are great and I have used them many times with different kids in both homeschool and when I was teaching public school. They are not a complete Algebra course, but build a very, very strong foundation. I just got them for my ds(12) as a supplement and he is really enjoying them.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Martha
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| Posted: April 12 2008 at 10:11am | IP Logged
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Key to ... series from Key Curriculum Press
They are easy to find at many Barnes and Nobles or borders and Mardels christian bookstores for approx $5 each. There booklets specificly teaching that specific topic.
There's samples at the link. these aren't fancy glamour workbooks, but they are excatly what they proclaim to be, the fact of the matter for the subject in a simple and clear layout. Perfect, imho.
I haven't bought them yet because I want to see if my oldest can retain LoF as is, but it wouldn't bother me in the least to buy them should he need a bit more reinforcement of the materials.
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Martha
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stacykay
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I am glad this question was asked. My oldest did Saxon til I shipped him off to high school. He went through Alg. 1/2. Never complained. My next oldest I had do the same, but he hated it.  I now feel guilt! that I forced it on him, because it never clicked.  Now we are paying for it. 
So, now that I found out there are other programs out there, I am letting ds13 try others. We got TT this year. But I am finding he is not a dvd/cd/video person. He gets very irritated by different voices (Leigh Lowe, on Prima Latina is a major detractor for his Latin!)
Martha wrote:
So. I'm going with Life of Fred.
I'm going with Life of Fred.
I will not second, third, or tenth guess the decision.
It WILL work out fine.
And if it doesn't, it does not signify the end of the world or my abilities.
I cannot and will not buy 1 of every option to see which would be best.
I will not drive my beloved insane with talk of differences or to bankruptcy with curriculum purchases.
I AM going with Life of Fred because I really think it might be the best choice for us at this time.
No worries or stress.
Breath in.
Breath out.
I'm going with Life of Fred.
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Thank you, Martha! I could have written this! I say this as I just got home from ordering a new washing machine that took me to store #1 twice, store #2 once, and store #3 three times, plus hours on the computer searching reports and opinions and multiple phone calls to friends to ask about their washers. I will also breath in and out and I went with Maytag. And this summer, ds will begin L of F. Whew! 
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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Willa
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stacykay wrote:
But I am finding he is not a dvd/cd/video person. He gets very irritated by different voices (Leigh Lowe, on Prima Latina is a major detractor for his Latin!)
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If it's any help, your son isn't the only one! My kids are like that and so am I. This rules out plenty of probably good (but pricey $$$$) resources for us. It was a scary experience turning on the Latina Christiana CDs -- I turned them off right away and we've never taken them out since (though now I'm wondering if I should play them for my little ones while they're falling asleep -- subliminal learning)
The Key to series has been a great sub for Saxon Algebra 1/2 for us. I wish I had found it before three kids got burned with Saxon. The only Saxon book that works for my family is Saxon 65 -- I've used that one with almost all of them and then we go into other things.
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Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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Carole N.
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| Posted: April 14 2008 at 3:05pm | IP Logged
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Willa, thanks for this information. I am working through the Key to series with my dd. I was wondering if I should move forward with Algebra or try and Algebra 1/2 class with her.
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Carole ... in Wales
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TracyQ
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| Posted: April 28 2008 at 9:12am | IP Logged
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Oh wow! This has been a huge step out of the box for me this year, but we switched to Life of Fred for our daughter, who was literally suffocating with Saxon Math. Our two sons worked GREAT with Saxon/DIVE CDroms. So I intended to use it with her as well, and it's just....well, she wasn't defiant about it, but literally had Math Phobia/Anxiety, and I didn't know what to do!
We switched to Life of Fred, and she LOVES it, but she's not a math kid, so she's getting it pretty much, but still not as well as I hoped. She was BEGGING me to stay with Life of Fred, and I was saying, maybe we could use it with something else, but I didn't want to use a *text*, and didn't know what to do.
I think using Life of Fred, along with the *Key To* series may be PERFECT for us! THANKS DONNA!!!  I had thought of each individually, but knew Key To wasn't enough on its own, but didn't think to put them together! I think it may make our daughter happy, AND my dh and I happy at the same time, while giving her what she needs for math!
I'm SO EXCITED and off to buy the Key To Decimals series right 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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Kristie 4
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Thank you for this thread. I am getting a little tired of MUS. Used it for years, tried other things, but always went back...
Now that we are into Algebra I think we will go with the Key to for the pre Algebra with my one who will need that. Thanks Willa for opening my eyes as to how this could be a pre- Algebra study. Gotta love the price tag too
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Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
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4Real Forums : Living and Loving Numbers
Topic: Life of Fred vs Jacobs Math? HELP!
