Course Descriptions:
* Prerequisite: Algebra I
* Required Materials: Scientific calculator, 3 ring binder with loose-leaf paper, compass, protractor and ruler with metric and English units
* This is a study of Euclidean and coordinate geometry, including relationships involving polygons and circles. Other topics in this course are lines, angles, transformations, trig ratios, congruency and similarity of polygons, area and perimeter of polygons, and volume and surface area of 3-dimensional figures. Throughout this study, we will emphasize forming and testing conjectures in an attempt to improve logical reasoning skills.
Want to see a copy of Mrs. Fish's Geometry syllabus?
For an online tutor and to find an aid for studying, visit classzone.com, a site designed by the makers of our textbook. This is a tutoring site that corresponds with your child's textbook. Click on your student's book to get started. We have the 2007 copy of each book.
Several parents and students in the past have been concerned about the gap between Algebra I and Algebra II. The Geometry textbook that we have selected to use does an excellent job at incorporating Algebra skills in its problems. In addition to this, Mrs. Fish has a weekly Algebra Review worksheet that must be completed by the students. The Algebra II teachers have seen a great difference in students' readiness for Algebra II since I started doing this.
Chapter Descriptions: (Time spent on each chapter varies depending on abilities of class)
Chapter 1: Essentials of Geometry
7-8 Days
This chapter is just a background to basic geometry. It introduces a lot of vocabulary and gets students to start thinking spacially.
Chapter 2: Reasoning and Proof
8-9 Days
This chapter gets students to start thinking in a logical order. Many students shake when they hear the word "proof", so I introduce the chapter using games such as Sudoku, Mastermind, and Logic Puzzles. We use the games the same way that we would complete a proof.
Chapter 3: Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
About 5 Days
This chapter gives students more practice with proofs, while introducing several properties of intersecting and non-intersecting lines. The chapter relates some of these properties to graphing concepts learned in algebra.
Chapter 4: Congruent Triangles
About 7 Days
This chapter extends proofs to shapes, specifically triangles. It focuses on ways to show that triangles are congruent.
Chapter 5: Relationships within Triangles
5-6 Days
This chapter goes more into depth with triangles, introducing different parts and more properties with those parts.
During this chapter, students have to complete a project in which they find the four centers of a triangle. Yes, that's right! A triangle has FOUR centers!
Chapter 6: Similarity
5-6 Days
This chapter introduces scale factors, ratios, and proportions. It also uses additional properties to prove that two triangles are proportional.
During this chapter, students have to complete a project in which they have to draw their house to a scale (two-dimensional). For extra credit, students can build a scale model of their house (three-dimensional).
Chapter 7: Right Triangles and Trigonometry
About 5 Days
This chapter is probably one of the most important chapters in Geometry. Students learn basic trigonometry concepts to solve almost any kind of problem.
Trigonometry - [trig-uh-nom-i-tree] - Big word, easy concept.
Chapter 8: Quadrilaterals
5-7 Days
This chapter introduces special types of quadrilaterals and several properties unique to each. Students get more practice working with proofs using this new knowledge.
Chapter 9: Properties of Transformations
6-7 Days
This chapter, along with a couple of sections from earlier chapters, give students a thorough understanding of rotations, reflections, translations, and dilations. Students also discover different types of symmetry.
During this chapter, students have to make a tesselation that resembles an animal or object. For some examples of tesselations, you may view the brilliant work of the famous artist MC Escher. To view his drawings, click on the "Picture Gallery", and then "Symmetry".
Chapter 10: Properties of Circles
6-7 Days
I'll bet you didn't know that circles had so many properties! In fact, circles have so many unique features that we need an entire chapter to discuss them.
Chapter 11: Measuring Length and Area
About 7 Days
Measuring length is actually discussed the first week of class. The length that is discussed in this chapter is perimeter and circumference. Area and probability are also discussed in this chapter.
During this chapter, students have to complete a project in which they design a city. They are given specific requirements that directly relate to this chapter.
Chapter 12: Surface Area and Volume of Solids
7-8 Days
This chapter introduces the surface area and volume of different objects. In some cases, students will design an object from cardboard that must have a specific volume.