Geometry

A math course meeting on Zoom, January to May, 2022, on Mondays & Thursdays.

Welcome to Geometry class. I'm Sue VanHattum, and I'll be your teacher and guide as we explore shapes, construction, and proof. I recognize that these are stressful times, and I am here to support you in any way I can. We are in this together!

Please take a minute to watch my video. And then explore the rest of this page to decide if you'd like to take this online course.

See you in January!

-Sue VanHattum (you can call me Sue or Professor Sue)

How This Course Works

Two years ago, very few people were familiar with online courses. Then Covid turned the world upside down. Now most students and teachers have been in a number of online courses. As a student, you may be familiar with more online course styles than I am, because each teacher does it differently. So our first step will be to make sure the organization of this course is clear.

We'll meet in Zoom most every Monday and Thursday, from January 10 to May 26, from 4:30 to 6pm, California time, which is 7:30 to 9pm East Coast time. (We will skip Valentine's Day and maybe one or two others.)
The course costs $800, paid in advance. I will provide a transcript when the course ends. (The book and supplies will cost under $30.)
Zoom Time:
- - Learning Together: I will pose puzzles, help you solve problems, & lecture on new ideas; you will ask questions from the homework, think hard about new ideas, & work with partners.
  - Labtime: Most days we'll also have labtime, to work on constructions. (We'll keep the Zoom open to share ideas.) If you'd like to start playing ahead of time, check out this construction site.
You'll do some homework after each class (from our textbook: Discovering Geometry, 4th Edition, by Michael Serra, which you can buy used pretty cheaply), and work on your projects.
There will be a test and a final, to help you make sure you're retaining the ideas. Maybe we'll do weekly quizzes, just to get used to that sort of thing before the tests come.
Here's the syllabus and tentative schedule.
Questions? See if the answer is here. If it isn't, please email me: mathanthologyeditor@gmail.com

My Pledge to You

I recognize that this is an especially stressful time to be a student. COVID-19 has added significant stress and trauma to all of our lives, some more than others. While racial injustice is not new in our country, it is more visible. Our lives are harder. You may be coping with a lot more than you even realize. These stresses may affect your ability to process information and manage your learning. Give yourself grace as you do your own personal best.

My pledge? I will be available to help you, patient when I work with you, flexible when needed. I have worked hard to organize the work clearly, to illustrate the concepts in fun ways, and to find great materials to add to our resources. I believe in each one of you and I'm on this journey with you!

My Philosophy of Teaching & Learning

Teachers are like coaches. We help our students find their way toward being better at this thing they're trying to do. We encourage (and sometimes give a loving nudge), we suggest better ways to practice and better ways to visualize, and we use our expertise to help you find your own way.

(The current model of 20 to 40 kids, all the same age, in a room with one adult, who somehow pours "knowledge" into their heads is incredibly damaging. We learn so much more from doing than from listening. And we learn from our struggles. Our confusions can help build our learning. In my ideal school, kids of all ages would mix. They would learn about the things that intrigue them. Their excitements would feed other students. The adults would offer expertise, and would never use force. Everyone would learn conflict resolution, peaceful communication, and how to meet their own needs without harming others.) And that's why our class will be only 6 to 10 students. I want you to feel like we are a group of friends.

Working with peers helps you to build a firmer grasp on your understanding. I'll be there to help you over the humps. I'll have ideas for you to try. Each student is in a different place, so each one gets different ideas. Everyone gets the help that works for them. Your learning is your own. I am there as your guide.

(And here's a video by Jo Boaler about some of the research behind changing the ways we approach learning math. I love the way the finger recognition part of the brain fires when we think about math.)

Sue's Tips for Success

- Before the course starts, read everything on this site, and then go to our Canvas shell, and explore that. Finish the orientation module, and the 5 orientation assignments.
- Make it to class on time. (And make sure you've had enough to eat before class.)
- If you don't usually ask questions, you might consider making a commitment to yourself to be really brave and ask your question when you're confused, at least once each class. Besides asking questions in class, please let me know if you're struggling. I'm here for you.
- Open your heart to math. (This may be the most geeky thing I'll write on this site. Or not... I love math, and I hope to help you enjoy it at least a little bit more.)
- Take notes daily, and review them before beginning your homework. Do all of your homework as soon after class as possible. Start your personal geometry dictionary on day one. (If I can help you find a way to really enjoy this study, that will make a huge difference. Let's chat!) Check our Unit Sheet daily.
- Retake any quiz you don't ace. This will help prepare you to do well on the tests.
- Try to finish a construction each week.
- Work on your chosen projects (geometric artwork, photography with a geometric focus, more constructions, or ...) on the weekends.
- About 3 weeks before we're done, start reviewing earlier material to think about how it's all connected. Your goal is to be ready to ace the final on your first attempt.

Our Pact

What you can expect from me:

I'll treat you with dignity and respect.
I'll provide you with a clear, organized course that is designed to help you learn geometry with as much meaning and joy as possible.
I'll provide a variety of assignments to ensure your learning needs are met.
I'll provide a supportive and safe environment for you to share and discuss ideas with your peers.
I'll reach out to you when I sense that you need support.
I won't be perfect. I'm human and will make mistakes at times. I will view mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Is there anything else you'd like to add to this list? If so, you'll have the opportunity to make suggestions in our Orientation module.

What I will expect from you:

You'll treat me and your peers with dignity and respect.
You'll strive to be an active participant in this course and aim to meet due dates.
You'll maintain an open line of communication with me so I can understand how to support you.
You'll contact me if you have a concern with meeting a due date.
You'll do your best to have patience with technology. There will be hiccups - expect them. We will get through them together.
You'll give yourself grace. Expect to make mistakes. You're human and mistakes are part of learning and growing.
Is there anything else you'd like to add to this list? If so, you'll have the opportunity to make suggestions in our Orientation module.

A note on striving for equity: As humans, we are all influenced by psychological biases that we often aren't even aware of. In life and in our class, we must make efforts to be aware of these biases so we do not contribute to creating environments in which some people feel less valued than others. In our class, everyone has a responsibility to ensure that each person feels included and valued.

Any Questions? Email me at mathanthologyeditor@gmail.com, and I'll get right back to you.

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