How do you handle high school transcripts when using natural math?
I've recently discovered natural math, and I've been reading though several books on the topic. I homeschool my two children--7th grade and 9th grade--and math has often been something of a rough spot. We've tried a number of different curriculum choices, even switching mid-year, and nothing seems to be the right fit. In our state, public school students generally have algebra 1, algebra 2, geometry, and sometimes a fourth upper level math. I've been cobbling together my own plan for algebra 1 this year for my older son, and he is decidedly reluctant about the topic. He is not a fan of abstract math concepts that he can't apply to everyday life. I was an A student in math, but I still have to look up how to do certain problems, since algebra was a long time ago for me. My son's stance is that if I don't remember how to do things, that means I've clearly not needed to use the techniques since high school. Therefore, why does he have to learn it? I have to admit I agree with him, and I balk at the idea of covering math topics just so he can have that particular class on his transcript, rather than spending more time and energy on topics that spark his interest and enjoyment.
As I read more about natural math and ways other families use it in their homeschools, I feel like it's just the thing for my son. He is currently not sure what sort of career or post-secondary education he might want to pursue. Does anyone have any insight into expressing natural math on a transcript in a way that would be successful if he decides to go to college?
People might subsist on very little knowledge. More than a billion adults in the world can't read, let alone do algebra. To be intellectually honest, we learn formal mathematics for reasons other than survival ("need"). Research also shows that teens get DEmotivated by threatening messages, so we should avoid sharing our fears, such as, "Do math, or you'll be poor."
For powerful inspiration and motivation, meet and befriend lovely people who do practice our subject with good cheer. As your son hangs out with them, he'll learn their practices, their habits, their ways. Look for math friends!
What you need for transcripts depends on your local laws. I would look at some examples of how unschoolers put together their transcripts. If you keep a brief diary of what you do every day, you can shape that into a subject at the end of a quarter or year. Colleges very rarely have time to look into what exactly people did inside the subject they called "Math 2" on their transcript.
