What would I do if I tried to unschool math?

A question came up on one of my email lists about unschooling and math, and that got me thinking.

I’m not an unschooler, at least not for subjects that I believe are (a) required and (b) skill-based — i.e., I don’t unschool mathematics, reading instruction, spelling.  Other topics we’ve been more “unschooly” about.   With the 6yo I use Saxon Math, skipping a lot of the repetitiveness that plagues that otherwise fine curriculum.

But speaking as a person trained in engineering, and who studied mathematics through the graduate-school level, and who really loves math and wish I’d studied more of it even though I am a SAHM now and not an engineer at all, if I were going to unschool mathematics, what would I do?  Here’s what I came up with.

Well in advance of my children needing it, I’d select at least two K-8 math curricula — one that’s book- or workbook-based and one that’s exploratory/manipulatives based.  I’d want the book-based one to be (a) rigorous and traditional and (b) fairly self-teaching (Singapore Math would probably be the a-number-one choice in this one); the manipulatives/exploratory one could be more touchy-feely-fluffy.  I’d buy the first few years’ worth of each, with all the supporting materials there.  I’d also invest in a pack of sturdy math-fact flash cards and get a giant jar full of pennies.  I’d familiarize myself with the materials and books in advance so that I would be prepared to help the kids.

I’d also get some good high school and college math texts and add them to the household library.

Then I’d put the workbooks, flash cards, etc. and some of the materials in prominent display, among other stuff.  And I’d let the mathematic work be chosen, and/or encourage it to be chosen, in the same sort of way that I (as a hypothetical unschooler) encourage other learning opportunities.   If I was not extremely comfortable with math, or maybe even if I was, I might also get a second set of workbooks and play with them/work with them and the manipulatives myself, frequently.

In other words, for me, “unschooling” mathematics in the primary grades would mean letting the child go at his/her own pace and perhaps picking and choosing topics somewhat, through a well-designed and complete packaged curriculum.  And making sure that it’s not hidden away, but is always there, inviting exploration.

Also important for stimulating interest would be three types of supplementary materials:  (1) a wealth of math puzzle/logic puzzle books, (2) games that use math skills to varying degrees, inc. card games, board games, etc., (3) entertaining books written for the lay reader about mathematics/the history of mathematics/applications of mathematics, to be used as family read-alouds.

Any other thoughts?

UPDATE ALMOST 20 YEARS LATER: With lots of experience as a homeschooler under my belt, boy, these early homeschooling posts are amusing. A lot of what I have to say here I would still stand behind, especially as a supplement to a curriculum intended to encourage enjoyment of math, but I believe that it is the rare child who would reach their full mathematical potential without a plan of action taking them through a curriculum of some kind. Exploratory, self-chosen would be absolutely fine in the primary grades, might lay a good foundation for numeracy and self-confidence, but eventually you’ll be doing them a disservice without exercising a little self-discipline and following a paced curriculum at least part of the time.

That 6yo, by the way, who was not unschooled in math, grew up to be an actuary. And he still loves puzzles.