You may find some helpful information on Dianne Craft's website. Here's an article that addresses teaching reading etc. She specializes in teaching struggling learners & helping them through their "glitches". Her stuff is pure gold. We teach phonics with Trudy Palmers Phonograms Cards & with Dianne Craft's method of flashing 5 times a day until they've got it. I've done it with all 4 kiddos & they love it. I add a picture/sticker to each card to help cement the concept of each sound. The Gift of Reading Phonics Book and Flashcards - by Trudy Palmer - 210 828-5179. Order directly from author - Worth the phone call BOL.

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.

My son is liking Life of Fred Algebra but it's not enough and I am looking for a similar alternative. I've been reading about Lial but am having trouble finding any reviews or where to buy the actual books and which ones to buy. I'm interested in Beginning & Intermediate Algebra like this, but all I am finding is a text book for $150. Is this book not what I want for 9th & 10th grade Algebra? Is it no longer being published or am I looking in the wrong place. I'm just getting confuzzled. ;) Can anyone point me in the right direction for info/reviews about the curriculum and where to buy? If you've used it....did you like it compared to LOF? Thanks. :001_smile:

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.

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!