pam sorooshian

So - I have something interesting to report. We NEVER did a math
curriculum of any kind at all. Have had years and years of not opening
any "official" math texts. I can't say we didn't "do" math, because the
truth is that it comes up in life all the time and there have been a
number of opportunities throughout the years to show one kid or another
how to do things like add fractions with unlike denominators, etc., but
no math program and the amount of time spent on explaining how to "do"
math computations was very minimal. My oldest daughter started taking
the lowest possible level of math in college, because she hadn't had
any instruction and figured she probably had big gaps - so she didn't
even bother with the placement test and just started right out with the
most remedial level. She whizzed through the remedial levels and got up
into more advanced algebra courses and, lo and behold, she LOVES it.
She is ready to transfer to a 4-year university in the next year or so
(she's been at a community college) and I got out of the bed this
morning to discover her on the computer DROOLING over all the math
courses offered at UC Santa Cruz, where she's planning to go. She may
change her mind, still, and that's okay, but she and I are both kind of
in shock that she'd even consider being a math major - this is my
poetry writing, pottery throwing, seriously artsy-fartsy kid.

-pam

National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.

the_clevengers

--- In [email protected], pam sorooshian
<pamsoroosh@m...> wrote:
> I got out of the bed this
> morning to discover her on the computer DROOLING over all the math
> courses offered at UC Santa Cruz, where she's planning to go. She
may
> change her mind, still, and that's okay, but she and I are both
kind of
> in shock that she'd even consider being a math major - this is my
> poetry writing, pottery throwing, seriously artsy-fartsy kid.


That's very cool Pam! Seems like math that's learned as part of real
life has much more sticking power.
I ended up making much the same discovery in college, which is how I
ended up with Art and Computer Science as my degree. Math and
Computer Programming are art forms in their own way.

Blue Skies,
-RObin-

[email protected]

It makes me think the genetic component is strong in her.

Both parents mathish and a kid takes to math easily?

Hmmm....

It IS wonderful evidence that the training and early scheduled math-insertion
isn't necessary, though! A child of two theatrical parents who pay a lot in
overdraft charges might not get as excited about math no matter how much he's
been taught or not taught.

It's good that not everyone needs to know or do everything. It's a great
advantage of advanced civilization that people can specialize! (there are
disadvantages too, of advanced civilization, but it's fun sometimes to see a clear
bright spot)

Sandra

pam sorooshian

On May 6, 2004, at 10:42 AM, SandraDodd@... wrote:

> Both parents mathish and a kid takes to math easily?
>
> Hmmm....
>
> It IS wonderful evidence that the training and early scheduled
> math-insertion
> isn't necessary, though!

Right. And that was my point, really!!

But, I could also make the point that many many MANY more parents would
probably be naturally "mathish," but their true nature was undoubtedly
thwarted by horrible (or just too-early) formal math instruction.

-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.