Another Life is Fred question

[AAK]

Ok, so for those of you who use Life of Fred: I know it is done in a story format, but do your kids think of it as a workbook. My dd has expressed a desire to drop the workbooks. I would love to accommodate that, but I really struggle with that concept sometimes. I was already planning next year to be a "review/go further in depth" year in regards to math. She is ahead of the game in that subject and I would rather make sure the foundation is rock solid before branching into algebra, etc. So, I was going to do Life of Fred (starting with fractions) and also some Real Math. But I am curious as to how "workbook like" those Life of Fred books are.

Amy

[mom2ponygirl]

We read through the LoF algebra book and it wasn't workbook like at all. However, if you have a really mathy kid, I'd probably suggest something like Challenge Math by Zaccaro. Also not workbooky, fun format, and really great, intriguing problem solving. LoF is more about introducing the basics in a fun way, not going deeper really. (I only know about LoF Algebra first person though) Another great book is Creative Problem Solving by Lenchner available at www.artofproblemsolving.com.

[tankgirl73]

Not workbooky at all. In the Fractions and Decimals books, the questions at the end of a chapter are an inviting challenge, rather than a 'test' or 'practice'. The bridges at the end of sections are similar... I think because it isn't pages and pages of practice, but just a few problems to challenge your thinking and your comprehension, it doesn't feel workbooky.

[AAK]

Thanks both of you.

Challenge Math looks cool too--thanks for the suggestion. I will also be keeping the "Creative Problem Solving" in my list.

Amy

[iamme]

No. Not at all. LoF is a teaching story with just enough practice problems worked in. It is engaging, challenging, and fun.
That said, we are using it to "stretch" the mathematical approach-atm. My dd will start the Algebra next week.
However, from here on out, we will use a more tradtitonal math curriculum as our supplement(as opposed to the other way around ) and LoF as the meaty math curriculum. As my dh is a college prof-he sees too many students unable to perform the "basics"-something you do NOT get in LoF. To be on top of her "game" entering her college entrance exams, and in just managing her bank account, we saw the need to stick with a traditional *and* extremely gifted/think out-side-the-box math approach.

Oh! I know we checked out Challenging Math by Zaccaro before-but am going to revisit it! Thanks!

[kathymuggle]

We have both LOF and Challenge Math and like them both!

In all honestly, the only thing missing from both the above is review...the workbooky-y stuff. My kids are workbook resistant, however, so we use the above two and I make up questions for review when there is a need.

[mangopassion]

My daughter doesn't think of it as a workbook at all.