Apr. 7, 2009 - Math: The Life of Fred
With the Cincinnati Midwest Homeschool Convention coming up next week (YIPEE) I've been spending a lot of time lately perusing curriculum online, praying for God to give me vision for next year and thinking way too much about curriculum choices.
I somehow, last week, came upon the FUNNIEST math curriculum I've ever seen. You might be wondering how math curriculum can be "funny" but this one just is a hoot! As I was reading samples of "The Life of Fred" I was laughing and smiling and thinking, "THIS is a curriculum my 2nd born could have written!!" (He is naturally just very funny!)
I have no idea WHY I was looking at math curriculum, as that is one subject I am very happy with what we are using (Teaching Textbooks for the older boys and Singapore Math for the younger crew)
But when I was looking at this curriculum, I just HAD to buy the first book in the series and read it.
Okay, the curriculum is called "The Life of Fred."
Fred is a 5 year old boy, who is a professor at KITTENS University and a math whiz. Through reading the hilarious happenings in the day in the life of Fred, he encouters every math problem imaginable. Through reading about his day, the author interjects math into the reading and at the end of every chapter are math problems called "The Bridge" that you have to pass 90% to go on to the next chapter.
It truly makes math practical, and so far, my kids have loved reading the story too. (So far they have skipped some math problems, but that's okay, they still learned a lot....if/when I use it as a curriculum or a supplement, they will do the problems)
I've read some reviews that this is a complete math program as a stand alone curriculum.
I'll have to look it over closer, but if that is true, I can see this being a favorite curriculum in homeschool circles in no time. (Buy stock now! = )
We bought THE LIFE OF FRED Fractions. It was $19 with free shipping on all his stuff.
Anyway, this book cracks me up and I will be evaluating to see if we could use it as our math curriculum. We love Teaching Textbooks though, but this is much cheaper and much more entertaining.
Check it out...I promise, you've never seen anything like Fred!!!
Meet Fred:
Amazingly too, this series goes through Calculus and Statistics...here are the available books...
Life of Fred: Decimals and Percents
Life of Fred: Beginning Algebra
Fred's Home Companion: Beginning Algebra
Life of Fred: Advanced Algebra
Comments
Apr. 7, 2009 - math
Posted by thornbunch
Hi Misti,
That sounds like a fun math curriculum. I have the Teaching Textbook for geometry and have been using Saxon for the other older math subjects. Do you have a web site for the Fred math???
:-)
Apr. 7, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SweetSavages
Laurie,
I made the the words "LIFE OF FRED" Clickable in my post and it will take you to the website.
Apr. 8, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by momtosixsweeties
So...does this mean you're not coming to the Nashville Fair? I'm not sure that I'm actually going to make it, depends on when sweet baby decides to make her debut and how I feel, but one day we will meet :o)
Apr. 8, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SweetSavages
Yes, I am not going to the nashville one this year. = (
Apr. 9, 2009 - NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE!!!
Posted by Eunice
You've gotten me interested in something.....AGAIN!
Apr. 10, 2009 - math site
Posted by thornbunch
"Laurie,
I made the the words "LIFE OF FRED" Clickable in my post and it will take you to the website.
"
Duh!! Silly me!!
Thanks!
:-)
Apr. 21, 2009 - any other ideas?
Posted by Anonymous
I am very intrigued by the Life of Fred books. One of my children, in particular, will likely benefit greatly from them. Do you have any other great curriculum finds for elementary English or language arts?
