So we just finished up Grade 5 Singapore Math which I think is a wonderful curriculum (equivalent to about Saxon Grade 6/7- prealgebra). Downside is that the kid wanted something they could teach themselves with. You know...... a book never gets tired of repeating the same instructions over and over.......So after many late nights of surfing the web, I decided to try Life of Fred. The reviews I read said that it was very good for kids that read well (yep) and they could teach themselves from it (yep).
So we are 2 weeks down the track of using it. Every 5 lessons there is a short test that you need to get 9 or 10 out of 10 correct (you can keep attempting for 5 different tests - at which point you need to go back and do the 5 lessons again). Once you pass these you go onto the next part.
My 10 (almost 11) is loving it. She keeps sharing the funny things with her brother (a year behind in math), he keeps asking me when he can do Life of Fred. She is breezing through it - probably thanks to covering alot of this material in Singapore Math. But I am ok with that as it means she will REALLY know this stuff well before going into algebra. Some days she chooses to do 2 or even (gasp) 3 lessons.
Here is a quote from inside the first book (Fractions):
YOUR FUTURE
After this book, there are six more Life of Fred books
Decimals and Percents
Beginning Algebra
Advanced Algebra
Geometry
Trigonometry
Calculus
after which, you can transfer to any university as a junior and declare a major in mathematics.
The books cost $19 for the first two and $29 for the rest. Some also have a home companion book ($14) or for the last two books an answer key ($6). Great value for money. The books look like they will last through many siblings.
We'll keep you posted, but so far so good. The tradeoff for the kid doing their own math is that I don't feel it is as diversified as she would get in Singapore Math, but it does seem fairly good at getting the kids to think for themselves, and really understand the concepts.
Life of Fred website. Go checkout some sample pages from the books.
Want your kids to hear historical battles as if it is a report from Afghanistan today? Then go to this website and download this audio (podiobook)book to your ipod (or mp3 player). I love the British accent in this, and the battle sounds in the background. Your boys will get a real kick out of it! Here is the text with this audio book. You can also listen through your computer (assuming a good internet link!). The website operates on donations, so contribute what you think it is worth! Enjoy these podcasts!
Episode 1: Greek-Persian Wars
This recording allows you to charge with the Athenians at Marathon; die with the Spartan 300 at the tragedy of Thermopylae; and thrill to the final Greek victory at Plataea. Important insights are also to be learned about the quarrelsome nature of the Greeks.
Episode 2: Assassination of Caesar
Far from causing the fall of the Roman Republic as his enemies charged, it was Caesar's genius to attempt a solution to Rome's problems: poverty, unemployment, ignorance. It is all here, Caesar's program, his treacherous assassination, and the solemn speculation of shocked newsmen about the impact on Rome of Caesar's death.
Episode 3: Death of Socrates
More than anything else, we remember Socrates for insisting on his right to speak freely, even at the cost of his own life. Now, you can hear Socrates plead for the freedom to speak his mind and experience his wisdom and razor wit. Come to know that grand old man, and he will touch your mind across a thousand years.
Episode 4: Battle of Hastings
From the first heroic charge to the bizarre victory, you are at Hastings, reliving that most famous of all battles. King Harold of England and William the Conqueror highlight the succession dispute that can only be settled on the field of combat. Don't miss the battle that changed England forever!
Episode 5: Defeat of the Spanish Armada
King Phillip II, Sir Francis Drake, Queen Elizabeth -- again they meet in the climactic struggle. Return to 1588 as Spanish ships sail out upon the ebb of empire!
Episode 6: King Philip's War
Although you may never have heard of this event in history, it is an excellent vehicle for exposing the era of Puritan America in 1675. It was the most desperate and bloody Indian War ever fought in America. Here, the positions of both Indian and White are presented against a background of savagery on both sides.
Episode 7: The Salem Witch Trials
Always current, the witch trials at Salem remind us of how easily men can become a mob. The emotions of fear and hysteria have always branched forth the poisoned fruit of injustice.
Episode 8: Road to Revolution: 1775
Listen to a heated debate as Benjamin Franklin, a Tory, a British official, and a member of the Sons of Liberty discuss law and order, political violence, and representation for minorities. We also hear the Boston Massacre, and march with the British Army to Lexington and Concord.
Episode 9: Yorktown: Victor and Vanquished
The American Revolution is reviewed, culminating in the Battle of Yorktown. We hear Washington, Burgoyne, Von Steuben, Clinton, DeGrasse, and Cornwallis. There is nothing as dramatic as a tiny nation struggling for national independence.
Episode 10: 1812: Jackson at New Orleans
The War of 1812 is not one of the brighter spots in American history; our motives for declaring it were mixed at best, our capital was burned, our navy driven from the sea. While reviewing the war, this emotion-packed recording centers on the Battle of New Orleans --- less an American triumph than a British blunder.
We are studying Ancient Egypt at the moment (using The Story of the World as posted about earlier). Needless to say we had to have the obligatory trip to the library to immerse ourselves in Ancient Egypt. A number of the references indicated videos and dvd's on Egypt. We have just watched the PBS special "Secrets of the Pharaohs" and I highly recommend it. It is split up into about 15 half hour mini series, or you can do as we did, and just watch it in two sittings.
The added bonus? They have a website with lots of cool links. A timeline that matches what you have watched, complete with pictures, dates and maps....perfect for the kids to construct their own timeline. This is a great way to reinforce the dates and sequence of events that occured in this civilisation. They also have a place where you can explore King Tut's tomb, explore a 3d version of Khufu's tomb and a site on how mummies are made.
Got an older child interested in scientific research on these archeological finds? They also have a link on the mass spectrometry, taking DNA from mummies and deciphering ancient diseases...did King Tut not eat all his veges, or was he murdered by a blow to his head?
This is a very painless way to have history come alive, trust us!
Aussie Kim and Louisiana Sue
I've been involved in a couple of NASA competitions before, and they are very well run, educate your child in a very integrated way (sort of an unschooling way), and overall I recommend this (the Fall 2008 Cassini Scientist for a Day Contest) as a worth your time mini science project.....
Want some more FREE educators stuff from NASA? Feast your eyes here.
Fall 2008 Cassini Scientist for a Day Contest
The Cassini Scientist for a Day contest challenges students to become NASA scientists studying Saturn. Participants are challenged to examine three target images taken by Cassini and choose the one that they think will yield the best scientific results. This choice must then be explained in a 500-word essay.
The contest is open to all students in the United States from grades 5-12, working alone or in groups of up to four students. The essays will be divided into three groups: grades 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12. All submissions must be students' original work. Each student can submit only one entry.
Deadline for submission is Oct. 30, 2008. For more information, visit here. If you have questions about this contest, please e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].
Teach sculpting with vegetables? Yep, here it is again, recieved in one of those continuously forwarded emails...more food art. The creativity is awesome, the carving is great! Enjoy!
Want to see more fun food art? Go see the other posts on this topic of art, and check out the many links in the side bars on cheap art materials.
Recent Comments