Using Life of Fred for Pre-Algebra

[susie in tx]

Has anyone used Life of Fred for pre-algebra? I just ordered the books and it seems as though they would be adequate. I'm not sure if I just want adequate, but at this point, I would really like my 13 yo to start algebra in the fall. She'll be 14 in May.

Thanks.

[MIch elle]

LOF doesn't have a pre-algebra course.

[Free Indeed]

The fractions and Decimal and Percent books are the equivalent to a pre algebra course- at least that is what it says. My son is almost done with theses 2 books and is going to start LOF Beginning Algebra in May. I printed out a placement test for Algebra (from Teaching Textbooks I think) and he did just fine with it. We are loving LOF here.

[Heather in VA]

It should be fine. It covers everything you need. My daughter using LoF is younger so I'm not comfortable going directly into Algebra but that's more because of what is coming with Algebra and her age. At your daughter's age she should be able to cover everything she needs in those two books and move on without issue.

Heather

[susie in tx]

The fractions and Decimal and Percent books are the equivalent to a pre algebra course- at least that is what it says. My son is almost done with theses 2 books and is going to start LOF Beginning Algebra in May.

It's good to hear that you plan to start LOF Algebra after these two books. What did you use prior to LOF?

[susie in tx]

It should be fine. It covers everything you need. My daughter using LoF is younger so I'm not comfortable going directly into Algebra but that's more because of what is coming with Algebra and her age. At your daughter's age she should be able to cover everything she needs in those two books and move on without issue.



Thanks Heather. I'm not sure that I will continue with LOF Algebra, but liked the way the two pre-algebra books looked, so ordered them. I'm considering using Math without Borders for algebra, and want to make sure my dd is ready for it.

[susie in tx]

LOF doesn't have a pre-algebra course.

The author has indicated that the fractions and the percents books are considered pre-algebra.

[Free Indeed]

It's good to hear that you plan to start LOF Algebra after these two books. What did you use prior to LOF?

We used Singapore Math. Through 4a or 4b, can't remember which.

[Momto2Ns]

Personally we are doing LoF Decimals and Percents right now and will be doing a pre-algebra course from someone else next year based on the recommendation on Stanley Schmidt the author of Fred. We will return to Fred the following year for Algebra. He is writing a pre-algebra course to go in between the current books and algebra right now. Many older students are successful going directly from the first two books to Algebra, but it is not really a "pre-algebra" course and does not teach any algebra. Younger students are not always able to make the jump. The two book set does shore up the early math skills if you think your child might have any weaknesses, which was why we used it. I thought my son needed review after what we had used so far this year for sixth grade so we are working through those two books for the second part of the year.

If in doubt, email the author personally. He is very friendly and will respond. I am a huge Fred fan!

Debbie

[Cindyg]

Any idea when the LOF pre-algebra will be ready? We're on Ch. 10 of LOF Decimals right now! ...maybe we need to slow down!

ETA: I just e-mailed Stan. I'll post back when I hear back from him. We did call him once, and he was delighted to hear from us. We were stuck on a problem, and he knew just where we were and just what we needed to know.

[Momto2Ns]

He just finished Linear Algebra and is just starting pre-algebra. It will be awhile. I thought my son was not really mature enough in his reasoning to do algebra even though his math skills are fine with all the earlier material. The author agreed that 11 is too young and to stall for a year in another curriculum and then come back to LoF. He said he is going to write a book to fill the need for those who need time to mature before algebra, something with math and physics maybe, to keep them entertained and learning.

He said he was 14 or 15 when he started algebra and that if a child begins his series at 13, they should be able to complete calculus by the time they finish high school. (He's a nice guy, very helpful)

Debbie

[elegantlion]

We are finishing LOF Fractions and then doing LOF decimals. We are also mixing it with Singapore 5a. My plan is to TRY LOf algebra this fall. I have an older Dolciani pre-algebra that I want to mix with it and perhaps use them both as a two year program.

Finishing the Singapore series is my fall back program.

We love Fred too.

[stephanie]

I'm still confused with LOF. It looks really fun,and I'm interested in using it, but I have a few questions. Can Lof Fractions be used with a dc who is in TT7? Or do they go into Decimals and Percents? Ds13 is supposed to start TT pre-alg this fall so could he start Lof Decimals/percents or Fractions?
Also, ds10 will be starting R&S5 in the fall. However, I'm wondering if LOF would work for him? Could I start him in Fractions or is that too early? I'm just baffled by it all. Also, is it necessary to supplement with any other curriculum? I see a lot of people do that, but I thought I read it was an independent math program. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated! Thanks

[Mothersweets]

I'm still confused with LOF. It looks really fun,and I'm interested in using it, but I have a few questions. Can Lof Fractions be used with a dc who is in TT7? Or do they go into Decimals and Percents? Ds13 is supposed to start TT pre-alg this fall so could he start Lof Decimals/percents or Fractions?
Also, ds10 will be starting R&S5 in the fall. However, I'm wondering if LOF would work for him? Could I start him in Fractions or is that too early? I'm just baffled by it all. Also, is it necessary to supplement with any other curriculum? I see a lot of people do that, but I thought I read it was an independent math program. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated! Thanks

Bumping - I'm interested in knowing this, too!

[elegantlion]

I'm still confused with LOF. It looks really fun,and I'm interested in using it, but I have a few questions. Can Lof Fractions be used with a dc who is in TT7? Or do they go into Decimals and Percents? Ds13 is supposed to start TT pre-alg this fall so could he start Lof Decimals/percents or Fractions?
Also, ds10 will be starting R&S5 in the fall. However, I'm wondering if LOF would work for him? Could I start him in Fractions or is that too early? I'm just baffled by it all. Also, is it necessary to supplement with any other curriculum? I see a lot of people do that, but I thought I read it was an independent math program. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated! Thanks

LOF Fractions is 32 chapters/lessons and several bridges/reviews along the way. We used it when ds was going through Singapore 4b. Some of the information has been review, some is new. For us it's a different way to approach the material. My ds laughs during math instead of balking.

There was a post on this a few weeks ago on the high school board. there are people using LOF as their only program with success. I believe it is such a different approach and a newer program that some of us are hesistant to have it be the only program.

[Momto2Ns]

I'm still confused with LOF. It looks really fun,and I'm interested in using it, but I have a few questions. Can Lof Fractions be used with a dc who is in TT7? Or do they go into Decimals and Percents? Ds13 is supposed to start TT pre-alg this fall so could he start Lof Decimals/percents or Fractions?
Also, ds10 will be starting R&S5 in the fall. However, I'm wondering if LOF would work for him? Could I start him in Fractions or is that too early? I'm just baffled by it all. Also, is it necessary to supplement with any other curriculum? I see a lot of people do that, but I thought I read it was an independent math program. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated! Thanks

If I were in your situation, I would skip TT7 or do it along side the two Freds (but I hate TT, so take the skip part with a grain of salt). With your 13 yr old, you could do a quick pass through the first two Fred's, (they should go very quickly for him), and then go right into Algebra. He should move much faster than the middle child. I would continue R&S with the youngest one more year. If he does the first set of Fred a year later at 11, then he is still at Algebra at 12. Maybe by then, there will be another Fred book ready to stall him if he needs a year to mature before Algebra and if he is really mature, then he could go on.

Debbie

[stephanie]

If I were in your situation, I would skip TT7 or do it along side the two Freds (but I hate TT, so take the skip part with a grain of salt). With your 13 yr old, you could do a quick pass through the first two Fred's, (they should go very quickly for him), and then go right into Algebra. He should move much faster than the middle child. I would continue R&S with the youngest one more year. If he does the first set of Fred a year later at 11, then he is still at Algebra at 12. Maybe by then, there will be another Fred book ready to stall him if he needs a year to mature before Algebra and if he is really mature, then he could go on.

Debbie

Thanks for the info! Do you mind me asking how long you have used LOF and what ages your dc are? I was just interested in the long term usage of this and college level maths? I know what I read on the website, but I wondered if there's been any dc who have gone through school onto college using LOf. Thanks!