| I know you. I have seen you in my geometry | | | | recipe in solving every problem. Geometry is |
| classroom many times over the last 29 years. | | | | not about a lot of drill and practice. It is |
| You have always, and I mean always, been a | | | | about critical thinking, learning concepts |
| very good math student. You made good grades | | | | and principles and knowing when and how to |
| in Algebra with very little effort, and you | | | | apply them. |
| have always liked math. But now you are | | | | |
| taking high school geometry, and you are | | | | It is true that previous Algebra courses |
| really frustrated. You've got good study | | | | required critical thinking skills as well, |
| habits; you pay attention in class, ask | | | | but not to the extent that geometry requires |
| questions, and do your homework. But for some | | | | them. However, as you work at honing these |
| reason this strange course just doesn't make | | | | critical thinking skills in high school |
| sense to you and you find yourself even | | | | geometry, there are some simple, straight |
| requiring some additional help with geometry | | | | forward skills that also must be mastered if |
| homework, which has never happened before. | | | | you are to succeed. |
| Heck, in past math courses you were the one | | | | |
| that could give others help! | | | | Learn all the terms and definitions as they |
| | | | are presented. This is absolutely essential. |
| To make matters worse, you are seeing | | | | The same goes for postulates and theorems. |
| classmates who had trouble with Algebra | | | | And don't just memorize them; as a matter of |
| suddenly doing very well in geometry, | | | | fact you don't have to memorize them word for |
| understanding it, and actually enjoying math | | | | word. But make sure you have a very clear |
| for the first time in their lives. Not that | | | | understanding of what each term means. I |
| you're not happy for those fellow learners, | | | | often told my students "You can't expect to |
| but you can't understand why this course is | | | | solve a problem about a scalene triangle if |
| so different from the other math courses you | | | | you don't know what a scalene triangle is." |
| have taken, and why are you not able to grasp | | | | Develop your geometry vocabulary. |
| it? | | | | |
| | | | Don't rush through your geometry homework. |
| High school geometry is a strange creature. | | | | Your goal shouldn't be to 'just get it done' |
| In my 29 years of teaching high school | | | | so that you are finished with it but to |
| geometry I have seen the above scenario | | | | really understand it. Before you tackle the |
| played out over and over again. Just what is | | | | assigned problems, review your notes from |
| it that makes this course so different? And | | | | class and look over the corresponding |
| what are some strategies that will help | | | | material in your textbook. As you work |
| frustrated students master this course that | | | | through the homework problems, check your |
| sometimes seems so strange? | | | | answers with those provided in the back of |
| | | | the book. If you have something wrong, go |
| First of all, if you are experiencing | | | | back and rethink it. If you still can't |
| frustration with your high school geometry | | | | figure it out, put a star or check mark by |
| course, it is very important for you to | | | | that problem to remind you to ask the teacher |
| realize that this is quite common, especially | | | | about it the next time the class meets. |
| early in the course. Please know that most | | | | |
| students do get past the confusion and | | | | Finally, when you have finished your homework |
| frustration if they don't give up. Practice | | | | assignment, make yourself think just a little |
| the techniques I'm going to give you, | | | | more! Resist the urge to immediately slam |
| continue to work hard, and even though it | | | | your book closed and put your work away. |
| takes longer for some than others, that light | | | | Spend just a few minutes looking back over |
| bulb should eventually light up for you. | | | | the problems and thinking about what you had |
| | | | to do on each one. Developing this habit of |
| It might help if you understand why geometry | | | | reflecting on your work can reap huge |
| is so different from other math courses. A | | | | benefits in understanding and remembering |
| traditional high school geometry course is | | | | important concepts. The more you understand |
| about logic. It is abstract. It requires a | | | | and remember from each assignment, the less |
| different way of thinking. It is not what I | | | | you'll have to study and review when it comes |
| call "cookbook mathematics" where one is | | | | exam time. |
| given a recipe and merely has to follow that | | | | |