Can we talk Geometry?

[StaceyL in Canada]

Son #3 will be on to geometry next year, but so far nothing has really "worked" in our family. My oldest, not a math person, tried Classmate Geometry when it was still sold as CDs, and bombed too much of it; he ended up switching to a consumer math program and never completing geometry (which has worked out fine for him--he'll be entering a theatre arts program next fall!). Son #2 used MUS Geometry last year and did fine, but said he thought the instruction was inadequate and *not* to use it with son #3. So...now what? None of my sons enjoys math; they're all skewed towards the artsy end of the spectrum :) Of these three sons, the second one was the only one really strong in math; son #3 struggles with concepts. He's currently using Lial's Intro. Algebra but I'm concerned that Lial's Geometry may be too challenging for him. "Rigour" is not necessarily what I'm looking for here! Under such circumstances, what might work for him?

TIA.

[JennW in SoCal]

Hey there Stacey,

My non-mathy, very artsy son did well with Jacob's Geometry until near the end of the book when algebra was required for some of the proofs. So we finished up by reviewing all the various geometric constructions using Keys To Geometry. He really liked Geometry after struggling with Algebra for 2 years.

Jacobs explained things well, though my ds wouldn't have been able to do it independently. I would read the chapter then explain it to my son, and we did many of the problems together. I can't remember, but I believe there is a video program that uses Jacobs which might fit the bill for you. Hopefully someone will post with that bit of information.

Hope that helps!

[Sumiller]

Hi,

I am currently looking into Ask Dr. Callahan's Geometry course for my ds for next year. He has been using Systematic Mathematics and has done really well but it ends at algebra so I need to find another program. What I like so far about Ask Dr. Callahan is the DVD teaching AND that it uses Jacob's for the Geometry. You can check it out for yourself at www.askdrcallahan.com (http://www.askdrcallahan.com)

Blessings,
Sue
Homeschooling 10 years
dd 20 graduated
ds 15 9th grade
ds 11 6th grade

[StaceyL in Canada]

Son #3 will be on to geometry next year, but so far nothing has really "worked" in our family. My oldest, not a math person, tried Classmate Geometry when it was still sold as CDs, and bombed too much of it; he ended up switching to a consumer math program and never completing geometry (which has worked out fine for him--he'll be entering a theatre arts program next fall!). Son #2 used MUS Geometry last year and did fine, but said he thought the instruction was inadequate and *not* to use it with son #3. So...now what? None of my sons enjoys math; they're all skewed towards the artsy end of the spectrum :) Of these three sons, the second one was the only one really strong in math; son #3 struggles with concepts. He's currently using Lial's Intro. Algebra but I'm concerned that Lial's Geometry may be too challenging for him. "Rigour" is not necessarily what I'm looking for here! Under such circumstances, what might work for him?

TIA.

,,,

[langfam]

What about TT Geometry? My daughter used it and feels she has retained more than when she used Saxon. She did well on the SAT after using TT and CD SAT review.

[StaceyL in Canada]

What about TT Geometry? My daughter used it and feels she has retained more than when she used Saxon. She did well on the SAT after using TT and CD SAT review.

..

[langfam]

She used both.

[Yolanda in Mass]

I can't remember, but I believe there is a video program that uses Jacobs which might fit the bill for you. Hopefully someone will post with that bit of information.

Hope that helps!


Hi,

We're currently using Dr. Callahan's dvd's with Jacobs' Geometry. My son watches them alone and says they really don't help him at all, I'm sorry to say. I haven't sat down to watch with him, so I don't know if he's just given up and would rather wait for his dad to help or what. Dr. Callahan is extremely helpful, however, and responds very quickly to any questions. There are dvd's for both Jacobs' Algebra as well as Geometry.

Yolanda

[Jann in TX]

Jacobs is definitely 'different' in his approach. It is more of a 'guided discovery' system--NOT a lecture/copy me style.

I've already started planning--and I can see how it could be hard for a homeschooling parent to know what to assign. You can't just assign the odds or the evens--several consecutive problems NEED to be worked together in order to get the whole picture/concept.

My 'plan' is to introduce the concept and then work through much of 'Set 1' with the class. I envision it as more like a class project than a 'listen to me' session. I will assign most of Set 2 for homework and sometimes Set 3.

This will be VERY different from how I run my Algebra classes---I think it will be FUN! I HATED Geometry when I had it in high school--the teacher was so detached from the class and my logical reasoning skills just were NOT there yet (but I WAS gifted in Algebra...). Hopefully this will make me sensitive to my students...
----
I'm currently using Holt Geometry 1992 edition with a student who is NOT 'mathy'. It is a nice balance of proofs and application. The first half of the text is proof heavy--but the examples are clear and helpful. The second half of the text is application heavy--but proofs are still there if you want to do them (I don't assign proofs past chapter 5--but we do go through the proofs of the postulates and theorems as they are introduced). It was a leading text at the time it was published (before 'fuzzy math') and used copies are easy to find for both student and teacher---for less than $40 for a set.

[Dot]

Jann, could you give me the isbn for the 1992 Holt? For some reason I'm having a booger of a time finding this. Thanks

[jananc]

Jann,

will you be posting information on your class later on? If not, could you include me in your mailing list? janaalexander09 (at) bellsouth (dot) net

thanks for your insight on Jacobs and Holt, btw!

[Jann in TX]

Teachers (ATE) 0030054087
This is a HARDBOUND text--but the isbn will always tell you it is a softcover...

Student text 0030054079 Blue with 'sphere' on cover

I like the 1992 edition much better than the 1986 one.

NOTE: This text is often listed as the 1991 edition--they are the SAME.

[Dot]

Teachers (ATE) 0030054087
This is a HARDBOUND text--but the isbn will always tell you it is a softcover...

Student text 0030054079 Blue with 'sphere' on cover

I like the 1992 edition much better than the 1986 one.

NOTE: This text is often listed as the 1991 edition--they are the SAME.
Thank you! I did find the 1991 edition.

[MyThreeSons]

When I used Jacobs' Geometry at our co-op, I emailed Mr. Jacobs and he very graciously shared with me the problems he assigns his students as homework. He included both a College Prep plan and an Honors plan. It made my job much easier. And when the students complained, I could tell them this was exactly what other students were doing. :D


I've already started planning--and I can see how it could be hard for a homeschooling parent to know what to assign. You can't just assign the odds or the evens--several consecutive problems NEED to be worked together in order to get the whole picture/concept.