Category Archives: math books

Mar 20 2026

Life of Fred vs Saxon Math: Which Homeschool Math Curriculum Is Better?

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If you’re deciding between Life of Fred vs Saxon Math, you’re not alone. These two popular homeschool math curricula take completely different approaches—and choosing the right one can make all the difference.

Life of Fred vs Saxon Math

Life of Fred vs Saxon Math

The key isn’t which program is better. It’s which one fits your child.

How Saxon Math Works

Saxon Math uses a spiral approach, meaning students continuously review concepts over time. Each lesson mixes new material with ongoing practice.

Pros:

  • Ideal for kids who need repetition
  • Builds strong procedural skills
  • Predictable daily structure

Cons:

  • Can feel repetitive or boring
  • Less focus on deep conceptual understanding
  • May frustrate fast learners

Best for: Students who need routine, repetition, or help filling learning gaps.

How Life of Fred Works

Life of Fred teaches math through engaging stories, helping students understand concepts in a creative, memorable way.

Pros:

  • Great for kids who dislike traditional math
  • Encourages conceptual understanding
  • Less intimidating format

Cons:

  • Not enough practice for some learners
  • May require supplemental worksheets
  • Parents may wonder if it’s “enough”

Best for: Creative learners who want to understand the why behind math.

Life of Fred vs Saxon Math: Key Difference

  • Saxon Math: Structure + repetition
  • Life of Fred: Concept + curiosity

Which Homeschool Math Curriculum Should You Choose?

Choose Saxon Math if your child:

  • Thrives on routine
  • Needs consistent review
  • Struggles with retention

Choose Life of Fred if your child:

  • Gets bored easily
  • Loves stories and creativity
  • Needs deeper understanding

Many homeschool families use a hybrid approach, combining a structured “spine” curriculum with Life of Fred for enrichment.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a homeschool math curriculum can feel overwhelming. But if you’re asking these questions, you’re already on the right track.

The best curriculum is the one that helps your child succeed.

 

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Dec 17 2023

Week 18 – Done

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And that’s a wrap – Semester One has come and gone. We have learned so much through it all. The biggest change from last year was that we dropped violin lessons and orchestra. The kids did not feel they wanted to practice anymore than they usually did. Therefore, we did not see much progress. Why bother? Besides, orchestra would have put us back home at 10pm every Monday – not exactly ideal.

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls I make from scratch – the bread machine makes the dough, so I don’t have to work that hard.

One other big change: both children take Saxon math and we love it. We have even discovered that we can work through two lessons per day. This helps with making up for co-op days or hiking days. Continue reading »

Oct 23 2023

Weeks 9 and 10 – Done

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Somewhere along September and October, I lost track of time. My blog lagged behind but, you know, we still homeschooled. The biggest change for us as far as school was that we switched math curricula for 8th grade. My daughter was finishing up Math Mammoth 7B this semester when I realized we were just going in circles.

Black bear on patio

One of the black bears who venture onto our patio

She needed more pre-algebra concepts but Math Mammoth 7B was starting her on Statistics and Probability. Those are great topics, but not what my daughter needed. We bought Saxon Math 8/7 and liked it a lot. It gives her step-by-step more pre-algebra practice and we can advance quite fast. Continue reading »

Sep 21 2020

Math Options – Facebook Live

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After our camping trip, I found I had no time for the weekly Facebook Live event. Sorry I missed my weekly rendez-vous live with you all last week. So this week I spent over 20 minutes talking live. The topic? Math options.

Math Mammoth

Our favorite math curriculum, Math Mammoth.

Love it or hate it, math is essential. I happen to love it. My kids like math. Like reading, the more you do it, the more you love it. Continue reading »

Jun 23 2019

“Math Island” – Book Review

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Math Island is a book written by John Koller and Gillian Singler for children of all ages. It helps if they are past third grade though, in my opinion. That way, they get more of the math content. The book has two main characters, Lily and Tad, who are siblings. A host of supporting characters joins them from chapter to chapter.

Reading Math Island

Our son reading “Math Island”

Together, Lily and Tad discover – by chance – that they can travel to a magical location called Math Island. A crab named Carl functions as their guide, while other animals also help explain math concepts to the visitors. Continue reading »