story based math curriculum

[mamaMAMAma]

We've been using Enki math for the last few years, and we've been very happy with it. DD#1 will be starting 4th grade in Jan and I'm looking for a new math curriculum. DD#1 loves to read and stories appeal to her enormously. I'm looking for a curriculum where the concepts are introduced in stories. Something more self-contained where DD#1 can read the story, understand the concept and maybe do some practice work. Can someone give me some pointers?

[Ravin]

I don't know of anything for late elementary. For middle and high school there's Life of Fred, and for elementary there's Noble Knights of Knowledge (which I almost bought but chose Miquon instead for cost reasons), but there's definitely a gap in there.

[chfriend]

Have you looked here?

http://www.livingmath.net/

[tankgirl73]

Life of Fred starts with Fractions, then Decimals, not just Algebra now. Depending on how strong your child is, they may be ready for it. It's worth a look anyway.

DS just *loves* Life of Fred, never complains when it's on his list of work for the day.

[craft_media_hero]

I have read reviews of "Ray's Arithmetic" saying that it's emphasis is in story problems from the beginning. We have not (yet) used this series, so I can't give you a first-hand account.

Maybe someone else here has direct experience with Ray's?

[mangopassion]

I was also going to suggest Life of Fred. The first volume is Fractions, which most 4th grade math curriculum covers, so this might work for you. Living Math . net has a massive list of book recommendations and it literally takes days to go through, but it is well worth it. We are trying to transition to the living math approach and have been pretty successful with switching CherryPie (age 11), but are still struggling with the transition for KiwiBoy (simply because I'm having a little more trouble finding activities for him).

Also, regarding Life of Fred, I would highly recommend buying it straight from the author's website. He doesn't charge separate shipping/handling and the book is the same price as it would be if you ordered it from somewhere else. Also, Stanley Schmidt is very nice and will answer any questions you might have. Here's a review on Life of Fred: Fractions at Curriculum Choice.

P.S. No, I don't work for Stanley Schmidt or profit from this plug in anyway.

[AngelBee]

Originally Posted by craft_media_hero

I have read reviews of "Ray's Arithmetic" saying that it's emphasis is in story problems from the beginning. We have not (yet) used this series, so I can't give you a first-hand account.

Maybe someone else here has direct experience with Ray's?

This is why we use Ray's.

[Mama Shifra]

There's always Afterwards: Folk Tales and Fairy Tales with Mathematics Ever After for grades 3-4 by Peggy Kaye. You can get it from http://www.etacuisenaire.com/catalog...&prodId=036119

[Momma Aimee]

thanks for the new titles to look at

[mommy13]

Did I see on here where there is math based on solving mysteries?

[DaughterOfKali]

We like Singapore Math Practice

[MyLittleWonders]

I will recommend Life of Fred too. We won't be there until mid-4th grade, but I cannot wait. The only thing I have been told in terms of when to start is to make sure your child knows their facts - addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

[Momma Aimee]

can anyone tell me more about he level of Noble Knights of Knowledge

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by Mama Shifra

There's always Afterwards: Folk Tales and Fairy Tales with Mathematics Ever After for grades 3-4 by Peggy Kaye. You can get it from http://www.etacuisenaire.com/catalog...&prodId=036119

there is also a version for 1st adn 2nd -- you can find it on amazon.com -- used