Heather in VA Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 My middle dd is 9 and is on pace to finish LOF Decimals/Percents probably in January. Maybe earlier but with holidays probably January. Anyway, I have no idea what to do next. She's done Singapore up into book 5 but got bored which is when we started LOF. She's having no issues with these books at all. So I need a math plan for the rest of the year. Ideas? Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chai Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 My dd is doing both Singapore and Life of Fred. I'm a big fan of both of them though, so I don't have any other ideas. Have you used the Singapore Intensive Practice and Word Problems books? We just started using them this year, and now I love Singapore even more. I find these books to be much more engaging that the regular workbook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plimsoll Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 My son (9yo) just finished LOF Decimals/Percents and started Beginning Algebra. We also use Singapore's "Extra Practice" and "Challenging Word Problems" for some additional practice. Our plan for the rest of the year is to just keep moving forward with LOF, since he really enjoys it. If you decide to continue with LOF, you should also get the "Home Companion" book, since starting with Beginning Algebra, not all the answers are in the main text. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeanM Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 He's 9 yo and is probably going to finish LOF decimals in January, or maybe February. We took a long break from Singapore, but I've recently added it back in. He's complaining less about it and I think it is helping his math skills to be more solid. He's finishing Singapore 5b. He's heard me complaining so much about my tutoring students not having solid math skills before algebra that he really wants to make sure that he is ready before starting algebra. My plan is to spend the rest of the year: finishing LOF decimals/percents finishing Singapore 5b and hopefully 6a doing other "fun" stuff like challenge math, etc. I've also been toying with the idea of supplementing with some probability, but haven't figured out yet what to use. And then next year (starting fall 2009), he'll either be starting algebra or finishing up Singapore first and then starting algebra. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in SEVA Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 We are also using the LoF Decimals, Primary Math, Challenge Math combo, and also have no idea where we are headed afterwards. I am considering the following: - LoF Beginning Algebra (I have this on my shelf, it isn't too scary) - Jacob's Human Endeavor (too intimidating for him) - EPGY (not crazy about online math instruction, since it's my strongest area) - Singapore New Elem (seems intense for him) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Dear Lizzie, If she's under the age of 18, I would strongly suggest using the Fred's Home Companions along with the Life of Fred books for the two algebras. All of the answers plus other material is included in the Fred's Home Companions. Since the books are intended to be self-teaching, all you have to say each day is four words, "Please do a lesson." There are 108 lessons in beginning algebra and 101 in advanced algebra. And the Life of Fred series contains more mathematics than any other home schooling curriculum that I know of. A lot of the other curricula do a tremendous amount of repetition---especially Saxon. Many parents have written to me saying that they tell their kids "Do just the odd problems" or something to that effect. The government schools waste an inordinate amount of time in their teaching. When I taught at the high school level, I had to invent a kinds of time wasters so that I didn't finish the official textbook in April. I'm currently writing book #12 in the series: Life of Fred: Linear Algebra. Linear algebra is a university-level math course, typically taught at the junior level to math majors. After I button that one up in the late spring, I'm heading back to put a book or two between your daughter's LOF: Decimals and Percents and LOF: Beginning Algebra-----something to give the kid's some time to let their brains mature. I studied beginning algebra in the 9th grade. Trying to learn algebra before puberty is a tough proposition. I don't want to rehash the fractions, decimals, and percents material, but stirring it into a new context would (1) cement it into their brains and (2) give their brains time to grow up. I'm thinking of something like Life of Fred: Physics After Arithmetic. All the best to you, Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Uhura Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 To Stan of LOF: Please keeping writing! THe Physics after Arithmetic sounds wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimajaro Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 I'm using Thinkwell prealgebra along with Ed Zacarro books, Singapore workbooks, online worksheets, and Murderous Maths (humorous novel like books) with dd 12.5 and ds 11. It's a bit of work to coordinate them but the kids are thriving so far. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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