Category Archives: Saxon Math

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 9 2023

Week 4 – Done

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And… the trend continues. We had to cut our studies short this week as well, because on Monday we returned from camping around lunch time, and on Friday we left for Nashville in the early afternoon, for our son’s cubing competition. Never a dull moment.

RTT over a trailer

Our five-person roof top tent sits over a trailer my husband designed.

We really enjoyed camping over the Labor Day weekend. Nature is good for the soul, but several things happened during this trip also, which bonded us even more as a family. I would not say everything that happened was easy to take, but that is exactly the point. Challenges bring us closer together. Continue reading »