Your review says,
'I still really like the book a lot, but I�m less impressed by it as we near the end. I think the author relies too much on traditional algorithms to teacher mathematical concepts. This is completely contrary to my approach to teaching math, which is Constructivist in philosophy. (For more information on Constructivism, please see my post at:
http://teachingmybabytoread.blog.com/2011/03/15/subtraction/)
Earlier in the book, it was easy to do a lot of Constructivist activities and explanations side by side with Life of Fred. To compare, order, reduce, add and subtract fractions for example, Bruce experimented with the Right Start Fraction strips in addition to working with the algorithms taught in Life of Fred. So when the book talked about 2/6 being the same as 1/3, Bruce really understood that well, because he could build those fractions himself.'
<end of excerpt>
I use EPGY with my 5.9 yo boy, who is now working on fractions among other topics. We have never used manipulatives, but he has learned a lot of math and is quite interested in it. I don't think all children need manipulatives. More broadly, I am skeptical of "constructivism" in education. Thanks for your review -- I don't mean these comments as criticism. Parents' views of curricula will be influenced by their philosophies of education.
