Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Math Happens



When we talk about unschooling and what it means, the most common question people seem to have is about math. I mean, how on earth will a child be able to learn math without sitting down and memorizing a bunch of math facts? What about fractions and algebra and geometry and, and, and...

The truth is, math happens and it happens a lot and it happens everyday. Just try to avoid it. Even without a single lesson, we can't help but learn math.

Princess informed me today that one of her friends is 5 and that means that this friend is 2 years younger. I haven't had her sit down to memorize 7 - 5 = 2 but she knows it. This is just one of countless examples that happen throughout our days.

While brushing Princess' hair, math happened again. You see, she doesn't like when I turn her to get to different sides of her hair. She wants me to tell her how to move or turn. Telling her to face the wall or turn left/right wasn't really working for her.

Enter fractions. Princess was interested, so we talked about quarter, half and three-quarter turns. I can ask her to turn one quarter turn or one half turn. I can specify right or left.  Now she knows exactly where to turn.

One day I started talking about degrees of a circle and relating the fractions to degrees. Well, Princess thought that was pretty cool. Now she knows what a 90 degree turn is...and a 180 degree turn...and a 360 degree turn.

No workbooks. No lessons. Simply curiosity. Math happens.

8 comments:

  1. I agree! Put a worksheet of addition and subtraction in front of Daughter and she'll draw a blank.

    Ask her how much gold she'll have leftover after buying her new pet on World of Warcraft and it's a no brainer.

    Personally, I learned fractions from baking.

    You're so right, Math happens.

    Great post! :D

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  2. It is so true...they can do amazing math when it's relevant and when it matters.

    I remember sitting in algebra and geometry thinking that I was never going to use any of it. And I was right. I don't remember things I learned in school, but I can't help but remember the math that happens all around me everyday. :)

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  3. You're right, it's all about the application! My kids too, even though they get the worksheets and flashcards, it's when they use math in real life situations that the lightbulb starts flickering.

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  4. Very cool, Aliceson! Thanks so much for sharing that!! When I have my rare moment of doubt, I can look back at this comment and know that it's all okay. :)

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  5. OK, we don't really unschool, but those are my favorite kinds of lessons and learning. :) Great job!

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  6. Dana, thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting!! :D

    Moments like these are inspirational, aren't they?!

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  7. We had the same question the other day, so i sat down to write how it happens in our everyday life on our blog.You do not need paper or worksheets to do it!In fact half of what i did in primary school i cant remember now...but what i learnt freely is still with me.Your so right...YOU CAN NOT AVOID IT!

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  8. I absolutely agree with you, WCL! I don't remember much of anything from school. The things that are important to me, relevant to my life, have stuck with me. I think it's more important to know how to access information than to memorize a bunch of facts.

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