Recommedations for Geometry

[carolinagirl710]

Good afternoon!

 

We are trying to decide on a geometry program for our dd. She will complete Forester's Algebra this month.

 

Also, any thoughts on moving into Algebra II instead of geometry for 10th grade?

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Elaine in PA

[In The Great White North]

Algebra II and Geometry are probably switchable but trig MUST come after geometry.

 

Ds did Foersters Algebra I and Jacob's geometry in 9th grade. He had theoretically had Algebra I in school, but never did either the equation of a line or the quadratic equation, which was all I remembered of algebra I, so I made him do it again in 9th when we started homeschooling. He did geometry too, so he could be with his friends if we decided to go back to school. We didn't and now he's doing Foerster'Algebra II and Trig (ancient book).

[Guest ladywhite]

Here is how Mrs. Harrison, math teacher for Regina Coeli, explains it. Regina Coeli offers Euclidean Geometry (which can be taken separately if desired). This can be found on the Geometry class description.

 

It worked for my son. He is taking SATs right after finishing Algebra II and will then take them again after PreCalculus. Not a lot of review or prep needed for the math portion of the exam since it will be fresh.

 

"Why Geometry before Algebra II?

 

A student can easily keep Algebra I skills by weekly review sets, and one is better enabled to understand higher algebraic proofs after having completed classical geometry. Also by putting geometry before Algebra II, the student completes Algebra II much closer to the time the SAT/ACT exams are administered. Students completing Algebra II before geometry will have many more concepts and skills to review before taking the SAT/ACT. More importantly, students will also lack the ability to understand the reasoning behind advanced algebraic proofs. Furthermore, this sequence better cements Algebra I skills for students who were weak in Algebra I. With this sequence of courses, the student can truly master Algebra I, gain logic training, and be better prepared for higher mathematical concepts, i.e., topics and proofs in Algebra II. Many students who are not of a mathematical bent find geometry a refreshing and enjoyable math course, the added review and drill in algebra helps them to "catch their breath" and use the algebra they have studied. "

[kortney in AL]

I talked at length with the gentlemen that wrote the VideoText curriculum (his name escapes me right now) at a curriculum fair. He told me that he believed all students should complete all their algebra before taking geometry, thus the reason VideoText is set up like it is. Now, as to WHY that is, I can't tell you. I'm just passing on what someone, who I consider to know alot about it, said.

[Michelle in MO]

"Why Geometry before Algebra II?

 

A student can easily keep Algebra I skills by weekly review sets, and one is better enabled to understand higher algebraic proofs after having completed classical geometry. Also by putting geometry before Algebra II, the student completes Algebra II much closer to the time the SAT/ACT exams are administered. Students completing Algebra II before geometry will have many more concepts and skills to review before taking the SAT/ACT. More importantly, students will also lack the ability to understand the reasoning behind advanced algebraic proofs. Furthermore, this sequence better cements Algebra I skills for students who were weak in Algebra I. With this sequence of courses, the student can truly master Algebra I, gain logic training, and be better prepared for higher mathematical concepts, i.e., topics and proofs in Algebra II. Many students who are not of a mathematical bent find geometry a refreshing and enjoyable math course, the added review and drill in algebra helps them to "catch their breath" and use the algebra they have studied. "

 

Geometry, for a variety of reasons.

 

First of all, hard-earned experience on my part. Without knowing too much about upper-level math sequencing, I had my oldest do Algebra I in 8th grade using Lial's Intro. Algebra and then Algebra II with Lial's Interm. Algebra in 9th grade. This was a huge, huge mistake on my part! First of all, she did terribly in Algebra II. Actually, the first half of the year she did great---all A's, but the material in the first semester was essentially a review of concepts covered in Algebra I. She totally failed the rest of the year, and I could not give her a passing grade for the course. I'll have her take the COMPASS test here soon at our community college, but I wouldn't be surprised if she needs to do remedial work there, first in Algebra I and then in Algebra II. She is doing Geometry this year, which does review some concepts in each chapter from Algebra I, and is also preparatory for going into trigonometry, which some Algebra II courses cover.

 

Secondly, after listening to some very intelligent "math" people, here's a general consensus that I get:

 

1. A friend of ours, with a B.S. in Mathematics and MBA, strongly discouraged me from continuing Algebra II once my daughter started failing the class. He advised that I switch to geometry, even mid-year, which I wish now I had done. Algebra I is necessary in order to properly do Geometry; Geometry reviews concepts from Algebra I and prepares the student for Trig.; Algebra II cements Algebra I concepts and prepares the student further for Trig. (although Trig. is sometimes incorporated into Alg. II).

 

At the time, my husband and I kept thinking, "Well, we'll hire a tutor and just keep trying to work it a little harder and she'll eventually catch on." Bad idea! It just didn't work for us.

 

2. Jim Nance of Logos School, who teaches their upper-level math courses at Logos, also strongly stated that the proper sequencing for upper-level math is Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Trig. and Precalculus.

 

Now, if you use a different program like Saxon, your geometry is incorporated throughout the course of the program, and since their scope and sequence is different, if you decided to use Saxon, just continue along with their program.

 

However, since you've used Foerster's, I would recommend a solid geometry program like Jacob's Geometry. We're using Chalkdust, and I love the teaching on the DVD's but I wish the book were a little more thorough in its explanations. It's not as verbose as the Jacob's text, although I went ahead and bought Jacob's. My daughter has done OK with Chalkdust but had trouble in Chapter 8. I'm hoping she'll test out of Chapter 9 OK.

 

I'm not a math expert, but as a non-math-minded mother, I would strongly encourage you to consider the traditional sequence of Alg. I, Geometry, Alg. II, Trig./Precalculus.

[Sharon in MD]

:iagree:

 

I think that following the Foerster sequence, which I'm making the presumption is the direction you are heading, it would be best to use Jacobs for your geometry and then go back to Foerster for the Al II and so on. Jacobs and Foerster are so very similar in style of presentation that I think it would be the easiest transition. And, if you get Jacobs 3rd Ed. (the 2nd might have this too, but I only had the 3rd) there is a really good Algebra I review at the end of each new Chapter...so you get good review of Al I as you go.

 

We really have been very happy with following the traditional AL I, Geometry, Al II, Trig/Precalc formula. I do think that each has helped to mature and prep ds for the next level.

 

HTH