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Is there an effective way to learn Geometry?


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We have been struggling with Geometry, once passed the shapes (elementary stuff), Postulates, Theorems and Proof just do not click.:eek::(

 

If you had walked this road, did you find something to ease the learning of this subject effectively. I know it can be fun, but I have not find the way to approach all this learning material.:o

 

Would you share your successes and what or how did you conquered this "challenge"?

 

Thanks in advance....I am all ears.:D

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The application part is the only part that the student will ever be tested on...the logic part may help the student--or it can frustrate a student to the point that they loathe thinking at all!

 

I am a certified math teacher and homeschooling mom. My oldest dd will NOT be taking Geometry at all...ever. She has completed a few logic courses and she does get geometric application problems in her Algebra texts. I'm not the least bit concerned.

 

I have another dd who is 15 and attends PS. She is taking Geometry this year. Her course is application heavy. It is a newer text and I REALLY like it! She is learning the 'logic' of Geometry without having to do formal proofs--she will do some at the end of the year though (her teacher promised). This course is also supporting her Algebra 1 experience more than most Geometry programs do--she will be well prepared for Algebra 2 next year.

 

The ability for 'logic' and 'application' may mature at different times for students. Some will LOVE Geometry and proofs and others will struggle with Geometry---but sail through Algebra.

 

I was gifted in Algebra. I NEVER understood Geometry in high school. I LOVED teaching Geometry as an adult (my mind was a late bloomer in 'logic'!).

 

The 'logic' aspect of Geometry can easily be learned by taking a class in computer programming...the benefit of the course is NOT to know where this certain formula or theorem came from--it is to teach one to think in a logical process.

 

What is nice about the application side of Geometry is that it provides the students with visual support to the 'rules' of Algebra. Instead of blindly factoring a page of quadratic equations, the students can factor the trinomials as part of a problem solving equation dealing with the sides of a parallelogram.

 

As far as proofs, postulates and theorems go there is just not a standard way to work these (another reason why they are not tested). In many cases there can be more than one way to 'design' the proof--which one is correct?

For students who are having difficulty working proofs I will tend to give them more support and LESS testing. Let them view the whole proofs--completed--and then discuss the logic used in solving them. If a student is really struggling here it is most likely due to them not being ready mentally...and that is perfectly normal! I would, however, make sure the student has access to another form of logical development (computer programming or a stand-alone logic course).

 

One hint in solving proofs is to make sure to 'mark up' the model as you progress through the proof. Mark congruent sides and angles as they are proved...give the student a visual to form their logical statements around.

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MUS was what finally clicked and made it "fun" for her. We added some other workbook type stuff and extra proofs to make sure she got it, and she did.

 

My accountant husband says geometry was never a favorite of his, yet here he is still crunching numbers after 28 years....

 

have you tried the ALEKS free trial? that might pinpoint the problem. we're trying that with my 2nd dd in high school who is really struggling with math (and has a close friend whose mom doesn't make her kids do more than Alg. 1 in high school. so far she's graduated 4, 2 went on to college, 2 got married).

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