High School Geometry
This is a full year course using the renowned Harold Jacobs book, Geometry: Seeing, Doing, Understanding. This is meant to be a second-year high school math class.
The Geometry course is a comprehensive look at the study of geometric concepts including the basic elements of geometry, proofs, parallel and perpendicular lines, the coordinate plane, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, circles, trigonometry, congruence and similarity, surface area, volume and transformations.
Prerequisites
Pre-Algebra
Lessons include
- An Introduction to Geometry
- The Nature of Deductive Reasoning
- Lines and Angles
- Congruence
- Inequalities
- Parallel Lines
- Quadrilaterals
- Transformations
- Area
- Similarity
- The Right Triangle
- Circles
- the Concurrence Theorems
- Regular Polygons and the Circle
- Geometric Solids
- Non-Euclidean Geometries
The amount and pace of content coverage will depend on the prior knowledge of students enrolled as well as class interest on various topics with a desire to dive deeper into specific content.
Schedule
Lecture class is anticipated to meet 3:00 - 4:00pm on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The ability to attend class regularly will be important for continuity of information. Students unable to attend a class should expect additional work in order to be prepared. Please arrive promptly, prepared to hit the ground running.
Masks will be not be required, except in the most extreme of circumstances. They will be optional, however.
There will be planned time off during the course of the class. These times will often not be during regular public school vacations. We like to travel during unpopular times!
Cost
Tuition is paid monthly, due on the first class of the month.
Attendance
We will take attendance, but only for our own internal accountability. Spaces are limited, so only sign up if you intend to attend regularly, as you will be taking a slot that could have been occupied by somebody else.
Assignments and Grading
There will be homework - reading and video assignments. There will also be problem-solving assignments associated with each lecture, which will be submitted on line and will receive feedback. There may be times that homework will be turned in physically, when the online format doesn't meet our needs. The best way to learn geometry is to do geometry. There will also be optional tests, which can be submitted and will be evaluated. We can issue a formal grade for the class, which will be based on homework and test performance. Alternately, parents are welcome to assign their own grade for their child based on our feedback, but this will not be on a Winston Hall Academy transcript.
I will not expect any memorization. Our goal is to understand and be able to apply the principles of geometry. I want the students to be able to think critically. Anybody can look up an equation on their phone.
Students should be prepared to take notes during the lecture. My slides will be available before class, though, so your student(s) can print them out and use them for their notes. Students will also need to have access to a computer, internet and a Google account. If your student does not have an email account, we can provide one @winstonhall.org. Students should also have access to a webcam with the ability to meet online. It would not be the intended method, but can be a good alternative for when weather is poor or otherwise dictated by various circumstances. We can also use online meetings for homework help/office hours. I spent 11 years in the Army and my policy is: we train no matter what.
Involvement by parents is key, but I will not expect you to do any of the teaching. What I will expect from parents is this:
- Respond to my emails, usually in the form of "Got it"
- Ensure your student(s) complete the homework and reading assignments
- Get your student(s) to class on time
- Don't get mad if we run overtime. Feel free to come in and pull your student(s) out if you need to go, though
- Be responsive if I ask something and abide by the written policies of the school, which will be provided to you prior to registering
Involvement by your student is even more important. What I will expect from students is this:
- Be attentive in class
- Do your homework
- Ask questions
I highly encourage questions. We ask a lot of questions in my current classes. Many of the questions are seemingly unusual and lead us down unplanned paths, but they all educate. I don't tolerate completely frivolous questions, though.
New students will require an in-person interview before being accepted into the class. Students may be denied entry into the class at my sole discretion, for reasons which may include lack of maturity, lack of interest in geometry or lack of tolerance of viewpoints with which they may not agree.
Class Materials
We will be using the Harold Jacobs textbook. We have a limited number of these textbooks available for loan. The first four students to register can borrow a textbook free of charge.
There are no additional materials required beyond a computer, printing ability, pen, calculator and typical classroom materials.