Human Endeavor or Life of Fred?

[Heather in VA]

I have a very advanced but young (9) math student. She is tired of being bored and today begged me in tears to find a math that's 'really hard'. She'd rather be over challenged than bored. We are currently doing Singapore. So I thought of Life of Fred and Jacobs that might appeal to a younger person but still be challenging. Fred worries me because it seems topic specific. Does it get you completely ready for Algebra? I can't find samples of Endeavor but i've seen Jacobs Algebra and liked it.

Thoughts??

Heather

[In The Great White North]

A Human Endeavor assumes a lot of algebra - it does not "get you ready" for algebra.

LoF Fractions and LoF Decimals are supposed to prepare you for algebra, but I don't know how challenging she will find it. (Where is she in Singapore?)

Have you tried the Challenging Problems supplement to Singapore? (I forget what it's called.) Or maybe something from the Art of Problem Solving website? Or just jumping a level?

[EKS]

I would wait on MHE until your daughter has a little more math under her belt. Have you looked into the Art of Problem Solving books? Do you use the Intensive Practice and Challenging Word Problems books with Singapore? Some people substitute these books for the regular workbook for students that need more challenge.

I actually started Jacobs Algebra with my son when he was in 5th grade. We took it slow and are just now finishing. If I had it to do over I would have done a solid prealgebra program with him when he was in 5th and then done Jacobs Algebra at a normal pace.

[Heather in VA]

Thanks guys. I think we'll go with Life of Fred. She's done LOF Fractions and it went well so I'll just pick up the Decimals/Percents book. I do already use the IP/CWP books in Singpore. I love the CWP and we'll keep going with those.

Thanks for the info on Human Endeavor too. I read in a few places that it was a prealgebra book but I finally found a TOC and it clearly isn't. It looks great, just not prealgebra.

Thanks
Heather