Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources Life Of Fred

So the Beginning Algebra continues the story of Fred from the fractions and dec/percents books?

Yes, in the opening of the book it says "Our story begins on the day before Fred's sixth birthday. Start with chapter one, and things will explain themselves nicely."

The way I understand it, Fred's story is continued throughout the whole series.

OK, this cracked me up... I was reading the note to Teachers & Parents in the Beginning Algebra...it said in part:
"We know tht it takes some work for the students to learn algebra, but their efforts need not involve suffering. If this book offers "a spoonful of sugar" to the students as they learn how to do algebra, who, except the American Dental Association, could object?"

Haha, little gems like that keep the kids entertained.

BTW, I learned from another board that one of the recommended resources to prepare for the CLEP in calculus(I think that was the math one) is Life of Fred Calculus!

Wow exciting and depressing for me since I was the kid who would have loved those books. I was/am really good at math to the point that my math professors begged me to change my major to math but it was so redundant and boring to me. I am a logical person in that once you tell me the concept and step it through I have it so why did I need to do all of the homework attached to it? So I didn't but would come in and ace the tests. LOL Drove my professors nuts to say the least. I'm great at the argument too ... I still got my A b/c I argued that homework is to ensure you comprehend the concept and by acing the test I proved that and therefore should only be considered on the test. But these textbooks would have made such a difference in my approach and I just might have wanted to graduate with a math degree. My problem is DD is too young for such things at this point so hopefully when she is ready for Algebra on these books will be available.

Anyway ... thanks for posting on them. Making a mental note for later on.