Why We No Longer Use Life of Fred Math

Since my Life of Fred review from a few years back has been gaining some traction, I thought I'd make a follow-up video about why we are no longer using this curriculum.
#homeschooling #homeschoolmath

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Twitter- @redheadmom8

[galwah]

We LOVE LoF! But we also recognized some of the pitfalls...namely the lack of practice. Fortunately, LoF was made aware of this concern too. So he wrote some (extremely entertaining) suppliments... Zillion of Problems to go with each of the higher level books (beginning with the intermediate level). Additional stories that are different from the textbook proper, different characters.

We enjoy the pace, and "Zillions" gives us the extra practice we need to help the concepts stick.

It's not for everyone, but it works well for us :)

[regfernandez]

Thank you for this. I just watched another video where they said it’s a mastery approach but hearing some of your reasons I don’t see how that’s truly possible. This was really helpful

[cynthiamazzoladvm]

We loved LOF math! My son could pick up math concepts very quickly, and he wouldn’t want to do a ton of problems. He would get frustrated if he had to do too many problems, because he already knew the concept. It was taught in a way that past concepts were reinforced again and again, so you never forgot the previous concepts. The chapters would have a problem from a past concept, so it always kept it fresh in your mind. We had to review algebra 1 and 2 once my son got into college, and we both actually remember it very well 4 years after taking algebra two! I think one of the things we all learned while homeschooling was that different children will learn differently. So one curriculum works for one child, but may not work for another child. I actually purchased a calculus book, because I figured that it was going to be the best for teaching is calculus, too!

[nattamused]

Reviews like this are so helpful! Thank you for making it. I want to chime in here in the comments section for anyone who might be interested, that my eldest daughter did teach herself Apples through Trigonometry successfully with LOF, and I do mean TAUGHT HERSELF.

When she was Little, we started with Abeka Kindergarten, then we did Math-U-See until fractions when that program no longer seemed to make as much sense to her. At that point she got into LOF. I think she was around 9 years old at that time. And she literally just latched on, and went whole hog autodidactic . So for the person who actually just loves Fred like she did, it CAN work!

I also will say that so far, none of my other children have a strong preference for LOF. My next child down, just never enjoyed study and especially math at all. She chose some random general “Book Of Knowledge” to get her basics covered.

The next one down actually likes Saxon (go figure).

And kid 4 is on the fence with Fred and Saxon.

And I’m about to dive into Simply Charlotte Mason’s Arithmetic with the Littles.

My point for anyone interested is that LOF was AMAZING for my kid who it was a perfect fit for. I’m so glad we chose to give it a go. And my personal opinion is that keeping a rich home library of options is what works for us (even though it’s hard) I book swap, I pick up freebies, I buy used almost always. But I keep a very open mind about letting the kids learn the way they want to.

[_Katie]

We tried Life of Fred and don’t use it now for a lot of the reasons you mentioned. I do think I’m going to pull it out this next school year just to use as a supplement or read aloud for my younger ones. We use Learn Math Fast now and we have been very happy with it.

[NikkiSchumacherOfficial]

I'm looking forward to hearing this about life of fred! Side note- I love this lip color on you!

[BirdistheNerd]

I found you last year, or the year before, searching for LoF reviews. I'm on the fence about it for my kids. Your video along with some reviews here helped with food for thought. I did see your Minecraft math workbook in another video, and was grateful to be introduced to the Fun-Schooling books! Your reviews are appreciated!

[harmonyfamilylifetk]

I didn't use the elementary series, for similar reasons as you. But my son tried the fractions book at the library and he enjoyed it. Now we're doing the zillions books for more practice and it's working great for us. We'll go until he doesn't really care for it any more. My oldest really liked learn math fast and she used it all the way to the end.

[johntoet]

when i was about 17 i used SCHAUMS OUTLINE SERIES. and i thought it was wonderful for the amount of worked out examples. SO WHEN YOU GET STUCK. GO A FEW PAGES BACK. AND DO SOME MORE EXAMPLES. and you are back on helped me a lot.

[misfithomemaker]

I have been so surprised at how I have come to teach math over the years. I never ever expected that I would have a totally eclectic approach to teaching math. I like teaching concepts piece meal. I have not used an integrated all inclusive curriculum since my first year, I did used some "jump" but piece meal, ripping out pages I wanted. You are so right, that could change. Homeschool is always changing and she is getting older and we may want something more comprehensive. This weekend we are going to a history museum and their website had lesson plans on it, so we are doing some word problems on unit ratio from that, it will fit in perfectly with what we've been doing. Data analysis, which, includes, averages, ratios, probability, graphs, organizing data.
The last thing in the world I thought I would enjoy teaching, is math, but I do enjoy it. I enjoy customizing it, my student needs that different approach.

[lisaandmandiontheroad]

I am so proud of you using that bright lipstick instead of the dark color ! You look fantastic. Thank you for posting this. I’ve never used life of fred and I feel like everybody used it. My daughter is going in 8th grade and I’m really lost in what to use next school year.

[kayaseaton]

We are going back to Fred after a year doing another math curriculum. My 13 yo has requested it. He is dyslexic and other programs don’t make as much sense to him as Fred did. I have one child though that needs a “get to the point” math 😂. I totally get it. We haven’t done the language arts, but one of my sons taught him self to read with the little reader Fred books. They all hold a special place in this homeschool mama’s heart ❤️

[sailorgirlk]

This was a great review, thank you. My 11 year old son is autistic and has been using RightStart math for years. It’s not really working for us anymore, and he does love reading, has a great sense of humour. So I wonder if this would be a better fit for him now.

[kktowne]

I would completely agree with the algebra book, we started needing another resource to explain the concept. We also thought it was a childish story, since Fred wasn’t “growing up with us”

[momofmany]

We used LOF for years, but the books with the “bridges” became too difficult for my oldest two children. We just decided that we will give it a try during our family morning time as a read aloud while my children have their own math. We are currently using Learn Math Fast for one child and Master Books math for all of our other children. I really want to add more family board games in soon too.

[jessikagallopandfamily]

I found that my kids needed more practice as well. We all enjoyed the books but I did not want to buy a curriculum that I needed to supplement.

[creativelycountry]

Have you thought of including it in your morning basket? I’m considering doing that this year. Maybe 2-3 days a week, just for fun review

[angelinap]

We used LOF for high school with my eldest daughter. She is the only person we knew that didn't have to take remedial math courses when she started college. We used it as a supplement for my sons along with math u see. My middle son gave up using LOF because it was too confusing for him. He was genuinely frustrated. My youngest is gifted, and is plugging along with it as one of his supplements (The other is Boyden). Every kid is so different! I have always felt the stories were weird, but can see how smaller kids could be entertained. These kinds of reviews are great :)

[kayleighkuhlay]

This was very very helpful. I just discovered life of Fred and was interested in what people who have used it have to say about it.

[jenniferharley]

Thank you for this. I was wondering if Fred grew up as the books progressed. I could see older children being frustrated with stories about a 5 year old.