Curriculum Fair: The M-word

Life of Fred Pre-High School Math

   Math was one of those things that gave me a stomachache when I was in school.  I didn't always feel that way--I loved math until fifth grade when the times table kicked my behind.  And word problems were the worst!  I loved geometry, but didn't really "get" algebra.  My poor Navy engineer dad couldn't understand why I didn't get it, and tried and tried to help me with my homework, which always resulted in tears.  As an English/education major in college, I thought I'd hit the jackpot when I found out I could take "Math for Elementary School Teachers" instead of Calculus--SCORE!!

   Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think I would be teaching math one day.  We have tried a little of everything in our 8 years of homeschooling:  Singapore, Horizons, BJU, Shiller...

   Our favorite starter math has always been Miquon, and I have used it with all three kids.  We love the hands-on approach of this program and the way the program teaches kids to think mathematically and understand the "why."  The only problem is, it ends by 3rd or 4th grade, and we've had trouble finding another program to move into that "clicks."  Finally, I discovered LIFE OF FRED, and we have found our niche.  My writer/book lover/creative genius teen is thriving in this program.  He "gets it," and doesn't dread doing the work like he did with some of the programs we've tried. 

Life of Fred Elementary Math

LIFE OF FRED has just come out with an elementary program, and I have ordered all 4 books to begin with my youngest, who is still in the Miquon books, and my middle, who has just finished the Miquon books.

Miquon Math

   My teen is also working through the Keys to... books.  These are great for reinforcing skills and for introducing new concepts.  Because each workbook is self-paced and short, the work is not intimidating.  We have done part of the Fractions, Percents, and Geometry so far.  My middle will begin working in this program this year as well.



Key to... Math Series

   Along with these curriculum resources, I am trying to incorporate math into our daily lives and make it just as fun as listening to read-alouds is for my kids.  I highly recommend the Pyramath card game.  We all love playing this game, and the kids ask to play it all the time.

Pyramath

   We also like Yamslam, and we've taken it along with us on vacation to play in the evenings.

Yamslam

   I am striving to keep a good attitude about math so that my kids will enjoy it and want to learn, and there won't be any stomachaches or tears involved.