LOF with MUS

Bringing this back up again. MY son is starting Epsilon tomorrow. I’m still uncertain whether to start him in the intermediate books or Fractions. I don’t know why I feel so unsure about this decision-decisions usually aren’t this difficult for me. Maybe I should just back up to one before the Fractions? It seems that all of you above went into Fractions well so this shouldn’t be causing me such a problem. Maybe it’s the general uncertainty of what we’re dealing with concerning my dh’s health – newest symptoms of neurological degeneration – that makes me feel like this…

Any suggestions?

@crazyforboys: how is it going for your son?

My dd, 12 is starting MUS Gamma this week, too. I Apples too youngish for her? I know one of you said above that there

is more meat in the elementary ones than it seems on the surface and math is a difficult concept for her to keep hold.

THX for dealing with my repetition as I’ve asked this before.

I looked through the intermediate series adn then back to Jelly Beans and Ice Cream. If I decide to use LOF alonside MUS, I will go to Jelly Beans based upon the scope/sequence found on the website. The concepts taught in teh Fractions book, I think, will be over his head.

Additionally, I looked at the elementary books adn Apples would be to young for my dd, but butterflies looks good.

Lastly, I still am not sure if I want to invest in a supplemental curriculum – for cost reasons and time. HOwever, the concepts look so good.

INput from others who hve been supplementing for while would be appreciated. What benefit -a tangible one- have you noticed in using LOF alongside MUS that makes it worth investing in.

THX

Hi Rachel,

My 2 cents, for what it’s worth:

I have children who struggle with math (and ones who don’t).  MathUSee is the best thing I have used with all of them, but we use Life of Fred also – it covers a lot, is interesting and really does help with comprehension for the less math inclined. 

We do MathUSee M,W,F (2 pages)  and Life of Fred T, Th (1 lesson).

Honestly, I’m sure just MathUSee is enough, but my kids have said doing both really helps them understand more thoroughly.  All our children except one are always over 95% by test time.  Not that the grade really matters, but I use it to illustrate that they have obviously grasped the concepts well.  They have always done fine with math, but they excel now with the addition of Life of Fred.  All of them, but my oldest in particular, have an easier time applying math concepts to real life now as well (this has not historically been one of their strong points).

If you can afford it, I would certainly consider trying to fit it in.

Gaeleen

Additionally, I looked at the elementary books adn Apples would be to young for my dd, but butterflies looks good.

 

Hi Rachel. I thought I’d respond to this comment that Apples would be too young, but Butterflies would be good.  We’ve gone through the first 8 books so far, and I found there really isn’t a noticeable jump in level as you go through the first few books.  My DD7 and DS5 started Apples last June (DD was not quite 7, DS had just turned 5).  Granted, DS is a VERY mathy kid, but still, we went through the books very quickly.  I think they each did Apples, Butterflies, and Cats in about 6 weeks.  Now, almost a year later, DD7 is on Honey and DD5 is on Goldfish.

There are lots of concepts listed on the website for each book.  Most of them are addressed so lightly, that I really wouldn’t worry about ‘missing’ something if you don’t do those books.  The main skills for the first 6 books are addition and subtraction, with carrying and borrowing mainly in Edgewood and Farming.  Goldfish starts multiplication.  I personally wouldn’t start all the way back at Apples with a 12yo, just because of the expense.  If you can borrow them (some libraries have them), they would be worth doing, just for the review (which would probably be quick), but I wouldn’t buy them. 

We love Fred, so I’m not trying to discourage you from the series, but I wouldn’t want you to be turned off by the early books that probably won’t give you a lot of bang for your buck.

Sorry, I can’t help with the questions about the higher level books.  We aren’t quite there yet!

Joanne

Thanks Joanne. So since my dd is starting Gamma, which LOF book do you think would be most useful? She’s the one who struggles in math (hence why she’s only in gamma and 12 yrs. old, but doing well for the first time ever).

@4myboys: if you use LOF for one and MUS for the other, that’s cheaper than MUS for both and supplementing with LOF for one. But you have to discover whether LOF would be a benefit for you oldest first, before making taht decision (as you know). Can LOF be used solely from Fractions through high school math? I guess the only thing I’ve read is that some children need more problems to practice.

Try looking for used ones at Amazon, Homeschool Classifieds, ebay and well-trained mind.

So it looks like I should be able to read some Life of Fred on Fridays along with some RS math games. I am afraid the day would get too long. Do you spend only 15 minutes on a LOT lesson? Or is it longer?