gfam Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Is anyone else getting frustrated with Life of Fred Beginning Algebra? My son is on Chapter 4 and while I love so many aspects of this book I don't understand why he doesn't include the equations with every answer for the "cities" at the end of each chapter. He includes some, but not all of them. What's up with that?? Why? He says it's so the kids can figure it out on their own and will then retain it better. It never fails. The questions that I can't get are the ones that don't have the equation included in the answer. My frustration is rising. I don't have time to spend an hour trying to figure out one problem. Also, even with the Home Companion there just doens't seem to be enough repetition to cement the new concepts. Arrrgghh. Am I the only one? Does anyone else struggle with this & how did you overcome it? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raini Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 I needed complete solutions for everything :). I did contact the author for a problem, but I soon realized I'd be contacting him regularly:tongue_smilie: We are working on Lial's and will come back to LOF for review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in TX Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 I *so* wanted to like it! But the long, uninterrupted blocks of text (the stories) frustrated both my dd and me. Neither of us found it easy to learn math in a story format. She often didn't get the point of the story, and I couldn't find what she was having trouble with without reading the entire story myself. It was making both of us crazy. And there was not enough practice, even with the home companion, to "cement" the concepts for her. We switched to Lial's too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Is anyone else getting frustrated with Life of Fred Beginning Algebra? My son is on Chapter 4 and We are almost done with Ch. 4, but my dd isn't getting it. I contacted the author earlier this week because those distance problems continue to throw me. He was terrific about responding, encouraging and helpful, and I actually appreciated that he didn't give me an actual answer, but pointed me to the place where I could find it. I am reminded, again, that I need to follow the curriculum as written. My dd needs to follow the curriculum as written. It's not enough to read through the story; the student needs to be writing down the problems as they are presented in the book, solving them as the book describes (within the text, not waiting until the problem sets to give it a try). While I have Lial's in my mind as a backup (where it's been all along), I *want* Fred to work. I like him; I like that my dd's motivated to work at this and has only been thrown by these D=ST problems. I'm having her backtrack, working the 3x + 4(x-10) = 55 type problems to make sure she gets it, then starting back at the word problems where she has to plug in the numbers. I'm where you are, and it does help me feel better to know I'm not alone! This is the first time my dd's "gotten" math so easily in years, and it motivates me to do what I can to help her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfam Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 Kristine, We are having trouble with the same place, but only the age problems in chapter 4 & have been writing Stan as well. heeheee. I desperately want LOF of Fred to work and my son is doing the work as the author intends. We are going to muddle through the rest of the book and reevaluate at the end. Raini, That's what I actually asked Stan..."Do you really want my son calling you every time he hits a problem??? What is LIAL? Glad to know I'm not alone in this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Why didn't yall post this last week? :tongue_smilie: I just ordered LOF to replace TT because I didn't think TT was rigorous enough, and now yall are saying LOF isn't working? I'm sad!! I guess we'll try it though. My backup will be Math Relief if this doesn't work for ds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfam Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 Why didn't yall post this last week? :tongue_smilie: I just ordered LOF to replace TT because I didn't think TT was rigorous enough, and now yall are saying LOF isn't working? I'm sad!! I guess we'll try it though. My backup will be Math Relief if this doesn't work for ds. Oh no. You may love it though Stacey so don't give up hope until you've tried it. However I would not describe it as more rigorous than TT's. BOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 We use Life of Fred as a supplement. I don't think I would be happy with it as a stand alone. My son is doing TT algebra and LoF beginning algebra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 or at least it sure seems to. I'm going to see how ds does with it, then add Math Relief if he needs something else. I picked it because of the way my ds learns. That rote stuff drives him nuts. I'm hoping this will be just right for him with the way he thinks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfam Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 I hope so Stacey. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki4 Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 we also gave up (last yr), and completed Lials. For Dd, too much "story" and not enough numbers. That's her explanation. I still think it is a good supplement:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfam Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 I keep hearing about Lial's, but can't seem to find much info on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwjx2khsmj Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 We are using Lial's BCM with dd13. The introduction of info is great but the problems to be done are NEVER ending. I just got LoF. Do y'all have Fred's Home Companion (a study guide for LoF:Beginning Algebra)? I ask because it seems to address some of the issues raised here...answer key for all the problems and more practice problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfam Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 We are using Lial's BCM with dd13. The introduction of info is great but the problems to be done are NEVER ending. I just got LoF. Do y'all have Fred's Home Companion (a study guide for LoF:Beginning Algebra)? I ask because it seems to address some of the issues raised here...answer key for all the problems and more practice problems. Yes, I have the Home Companion and it does have every answer. The problem I am having is that it does not have every equation to get to the correct answer. It has most of them, but not all. When doing story problems it doesn't really help a ton if all you get is the answer. How did they get there? It takes so much time on my part doing every problem in advance to be ready to help him if he has troubles. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 and I didn't find it easy to use. Even when my BIL was tutoring them in Algebra, he found it frustrating to use. We must just be weird... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Dd just finished Chapter 4 today....after two weeks:001_huh: So you are not the only one. However, I really want LOF to work, and until chapter 4, it was. I'm willing to keep going and see how it goes. Dd was stuck on two different sets of problems. She got the one and is still having trouble with the percents. I think she got the percents today. I was trying to keep up with her but I'm on chapter 3. Dd does get frustrated that the answers aren't complete in the home companion. But she also looks at math through totally different glasses than me. When she gets stuck, she studies the answers and works backward through the problem to figure it out. Then she tries a different problem to make sure she understands it. Weird, but it works for her. I never thought to contact the author. I could have been done with this chapter last week:D I'll admit that I'm glad we weren't the only ones struggling with this concept. I looked ahead at chapter 5 today and it already looks easier. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfam Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 I would recommend writing him. He really wants a person to call when they are stuck on something. He's told me that twice now. He will give you his phone number. I have yet to call him, but the next time Dan is stuck that is exactly what he is going to do and we shall see how it helps. I just don't have time to spend hours trying to figure out a problem. Also, have hope. This is what he says about Chapter 4. "Most of the calls that I receive (I've given you my number below) are for chapter 4 of LOF:BA. These word problems are probably the hardest part of the whole series." Out of the WHOLE series of books he says this chapter is the hardest. So I do have hope. We will continue through the rest of the book & then decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki4 Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 I bought the Lials soln manual to go along with the text (can't remember the edition, but I think it was 7th) . I found it very clear and easy to follow! It was a very thorough course. Dd is now doing geometry and is sailing through. I originally bought it because of the recommendation from Jann TX. BTW, we now have a private math tutor (math certified) so a bit of the weight is now off my shoulders! Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 I would recommend writing him. He really wants a person to call when they are stuck on something. He's told me that twice now. He will give you his phone number. I have yet to call him, but the next time Dan is stuck that is exactly what he is going to do and we shall see how it helps. I just don't have time to spend hours trying to figure out a problem. Also, have hope. This is what he says about Chapter 4. "Most of the calls that I receive (I've given you my number below) are for chapter 4 of LOF:BA. These word problems are probably the hardest part of the whole series." Out of the WHOLE series of books he says this chapter is the hardest. So I do have hope. We will continue through the rest of the book & then decide. Excellent choice. I just answered your later post. I no longer remember exactly what I wrote you yesterday on this thread. Perhaps he'll revise those if he ever does another edition of LOF BA. Perhaps not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 I am currently teaching two with different curriculums. I actually am frustrated with the solution manual of the Algebra 2 book that Chalkdust uses. Why? Because it doesn't have a clear indication of the answer. It instead has a lot of problem solving but without the original book, I can't tell what is the answer and what is the explanation. With LOF, you get an answer. Is this enough? For some of us, yes. For others, no. What would be the best possible way? Having an answer sheet and then having a separate solution area if you need more information. Oh and LOF is enough for some kids without supplementation and not enought for others. Is it a perfect curriculum for all? No, but neither is anything else. I truly believe that different curriculums and methods are best for different children. That doesn't come just from my 15 years of homeschooling but also from my observations while I was a student. Someone who can't wrap their head around simple concepts like decimals cannot be expected to learn the same way as a child who gets the concept very quickly. The same material isn't right for both. The same way you don't need to belabor phonics instruction for a child who is reading and has no spelling problems. Its more like Your Mile Will Vary rather than YMMV.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfam Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Very wise Christina. I'm really liking the looks of Kinetic Books. We just downloaded the trial chapter. LOF is making me crazy. ;) Thanks for the tips & suggestions from everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Oh and LOF is enough for some kids without supplementation and not enought for others. Is it a perfect curriculum for all? No, but neither is anything else. I truly believe that different curriculums and methods are best for different children. That doesn't come just from my 15 years of homeschooling but also from my observations while I was a student. Someone who can't wrap their head around simple concepts like decimals cannot be expected to learn the same way as a child who gets the concept very quickly. The same material isn't right for both. The same way you don't need to belabor phonics instruction for a child who is reading and has no spelling problems. Its more like Your Mile Will Vary rather than YMMV.:) :iagree: Good post (the whole thing, but the I agree is for this paragraph specifically.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfam Posted November 14, 2009 Author Share Posted November 14, 2009 I certainly agree transientChris. I was just aggravated because I soooo wanted it to work for my son. Time to let it go though & move on to something else. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothering7 Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 My oldest dd did TT Pre-Algebra and then started TT Algebra. She wasn't able to remember much of either. (She's always struggled with math.) I had her start Lial's Beginning Algebra and she got through a couple of chapters. Then she supplemented with LOF. She worked all the way through LOF and then went back and finished Lial's. LOF helped her understand the concepts; Lial cemented them. My other children have used Singapore through the primary grades. I think they'll have no tolerance for LOF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 My other children have used Singapore through the primary grades. I think they'll have no tolerance for LOF. Perhaps. I have one who did Singapore Math through 6B and who I think is going to love LoF once she's done her Russian Math. However, time will tell if it's a good fit for her. I have another who liked Dolciani Algebra from 1965 better than Jacobs & TT, but who prefers LoF over the other Geometry books. I think she'll love, love, love the humour due to her personality, which may be different for your dc. I'm one for using 2 programs, as I've mentioned, but after seeing my eldest prefer LoF to my surprise, you may end up being surprised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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