Best independently-graded geometry program

[linders]

Sorry for the awkward title.

 

DS13 attends a small private school. He is math-intuitive, getting first place in the regional MathCounts competition. The school is too small to have multiple math tracks, but his Pre-Algebra teacher last year had him do Algebra 1 independently in class and he passed with flying colors. Now he is entering 8th, and the only way to schedule the school's Honors Geometry class would cause him to eat lunch with the 5th graders (horror). The school has said he can do an independent Geometry program, but it must be graded by someone other than me. My first thought is Derek Owens, but are their others you would recommend? We homeschooled through 5th and I'm an engineer, so a program where I need to teach and support is fine, it just requires independent grading.

 

Thanks for your ideas!

[Kathy in Richmond]

Congratulations on your son's MathCounts win - very nice! If he enjoyed MC, I'd take a look at Art of Problem Solving for geometry. They emphasize deep conceptual understanding & problem solving, & many of their problems are similar to those that appear in math competitions. Their online school is now accredited and has several sections of geometry scheduled for next year. They will supply a grade at the end of the course if you request it.  Good luck!

[wapiti]

Another vote for AoPS Geometry for your student!

[JoJosMom]

A word of caution about the AoPS Geometry idea.  On their course page, AoPS says this:

 

This is the most challenging of our Introduction series of classes. We recommend that students complete our Introduction to Algebra B course, or are able to pass the Introduction to Algebra B post-test, prior to taking Introduction to Geometry.

 

AoPS' Algebra A/B goes MUCH further than the typical Algebra I class taught in school.  Obviously, I don't know your student, but this is something you may want to look at carefully.  HTH.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Could he eat with the younger kids in some kind of student aide capacity? In other words be there as an older student with some tasking rather than just as an odd man out?

[wapiti]

A word of caution about the AoPS Geometry idea.  On their course page, AoPS says this:

 

This is the most challenging of our Introduction series of classes. We recommend that students complete our Introduction to Algebra B course, or are able to pass the Introduction to Algebra B post-test, prior to taking Introduction to Geometry.

 

AoPS' Algebra A/B goes MUCH further than the typical Algebra I class taught in school.  Obviously, I don't know your student, but this is something you may want to look at carefully.  HTH.

 

FWIW, despite this AoPS recommendation, I don't think Algebra B is needed as an official prerequisite.  I can't recall anything beyond solving quadratic equations that is involved the geometry online course.  (Am I forgetting something?  My dd took the online course after an ordinary yet decently rigorous algebra 1 at school.)  I vaguely recall that in the past, AoPS had a recommendation to wait until after Alg B for the purpose of being prepared for the general challenge level.  For purpose of prerequisites, I'd go with the pretest for geometry rather than be concerned about Alg B.  Obviously the AoPS people should know their course better than me, but there are a few recommendations that are subject to interpretation (e.g. doesn't AoPS also recommend Intro to C&P before Alg B and yet it isn't a prerequisite).

 

It certainly is a very challenging course though I'd guess that it's in the wheelhouse, so to speak, of the regional MathCounts champion.  OP, note that some of the weekly challenge proofs are really quite challenging and it isn't the end of the world to not get one of those.

Edited June 14, 2016 by wapiti

[Arcadia]

It certainly is a very challenging course though I'd guess that it's in the wheelhouse, so to speak, of the regional MathCounts champion. OP, note that some of the weekly challenge proofs are really quite challenging and it isn't the end of the world to not get one of those.

Since OP's son is doing for grades that count, attempt every challenge problem because 3/7 is still better than 0/7 for example.

 

Also class participation counts which is what my oldest got negligible marks for since he is usually silent by nature. His chance of making an A grade in any class that has class participation points is just very low depending on weightage.

 

ETA:

Not complaining, just saying that if a student hope for an A+, the student need to be aware of how the components that make up the grades are weighted.

 

One of my kid's CTY class has a class participation weight of 20%. Not hoping for an A in that class. We aren't taking that class for credit and he is having fun so that is fine by us.

Edited June 14, 2016 by Arcadia

[Julie of KY]

I'd hands down recommend AoPS geometry for a kid that does well in Mathcounts. I agree that you only need to know through quadratic equations for the geometry book. My son completed geometry long before completing the end of the algebra book.

 

IF you are greatly concerned about the grades, then AoPS is a tough course and might be a struggle to make an A in. One of the ways to make the course more manageable is to work through the book ahead of the class.

[dereksurfs]

If considering AoPS, you may want to also look at the WTMA course.  It won't be given at such a break neck pace as the one given by AoPS.  That will give him more time to actually work with the material and absorb the content.  http://www.wtmacademy.com/courses/classes/geometry-aops/

 

Also, Wilson Hill Academy uses Jurgensen which is another highly regarded Geometry text used by many honors programs.  http://www.wilsonhillacademy.com/academics/geometry/

 

Lastly, John Rosasco works with gifted/advanced students and offers many math courses:  http://mathandmusicstudio.com/New_Classes.html

Edited June 16, 2016 by dereksurfs