In the homeschooling circles, one of the most talked about Math Curriculums out there is Life of Fred. I first heard of LOF during my second year of homeschooling when a close friend told me she doesn’t teach math.
Of course, she quickly clarified after she saw my very confused [blink, blink] stare. She said that she didn’t “teach”math in a conventional way, but through a bedtime story instead via a children’s book series called Life of Fred. I had no idea what she was talking about — who doesn’t “teach” math. It sounded so absurd, but since I trusted her judgement I started looking into this Fred guy…
“Is she serious?” I thought.
Turns out, she was pretty serious. Life of Fred can be used as a bedtime story, during after school math tutoring, or within your daily homeschool schedule. This amazing book series if is for anyone, everyone, and to be used anyway you want! Just start reading the stories to your kids and you will see a big difference in the way they respond to, and understand, math.
If you have been with Fred through the elementary set, then you will not want to miss this 3-book Life of Fred intermediate set. If you have NOT met Fred, this would be a great place to get to get started!!
Designed for students under age 12, but already finished the Life of Fred elementary book series. Best for students who can add, subtract, and who understand multiplication and division.
Overview: In the Intermediate series, students continue doing algebra they learned in the elementary series, but they also learn to identify and build functions, set theory, how to analyze mathematically logic arguments, and arithmetic sequences. Also, each book is filled with teasers about future books: “Name one solution for x3=64. There are two other solutions, but you won’t be able to name then until you have had the last week of trig.”
Who is it for? 3rd to 7th grade
Concepts covered: Milliliters, writing numerals in checks ($4000 and not $40.00), idioms, 1/4 + 1/4 +1/4 = 3/4, elapsed time, metaphors, milligrams and pounds, rounding numbers, three-eights of 19,416, and more!
Titles in this series: Kidneys, Liver, Mineshaft
Your lessons can come to life with the Fred doll & Kingie doll!
What people are saying about the books:
“I was not so sure on these books. I heard a lot of good reviews but after we got them, just skimming through I wasn’t sure my 9-year-old daughter would like them. I was WRONG! She really likes them! They move at a pace she likes and being one continuous story about Fred’s life keeps her interested and entertained. We will be back for more soon. She just finished Kidneys and is now on Liver.” -Melisa W.
“We’ve gone through many math programs since I began homeschooling, but the passion never returned. In fact, my son had grown to hate it. Math had become something we both dreaded. I ordered this set, and all that has changed!! By using these books, we have identified what concepts he was never taught, or just didn’t grasp. He told us that he wished he could just start from the beginning with the Life of Fred. My husband and I are expecting that shipment to arrive this week, and will be ordering Fractions, Decimals, and Pre-Algebra next!” -Janet C.
