4Real Forums: Choices for High School Geometry?

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High School Years and Beyond
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Topic: Choices for High School Geometry?

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MarilynW
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Posted: Jan 27 2010 at 8:10pm \| IP Logged

I am a TT fan - but we decided to go with Saxon Algebra this year - and I so do not like it. I am thinking of returning to TT for Geometry next year.

I know many use Jacobs. I really need to have a program where my dd can work more or less independently with just review for me - and I do not think Jacobs is like that.

Has anyone used TT or anything else they consider student and parent friendly - as well as thorough?

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Kristie 4
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Posted: Jan 27 2010 at 10:18pm \| IP Logged

We have gotten to the place where on of my kids is independant with Jacob's now, but that is the Algebra. She wants to do Jacob's for Geometry too (doesn't like change!)

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Bookswithtea
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Posted: Jan 28 2010 at 7:46am \| IP Logged

Ds did TT Geometry. He isn't the kind of student who could do it totally independently, but dad was able to fill in as necessary. I, on the other hand, was useless.

Ds completed assignments most days with only a question or two for dad in the evenings. I think it would have been harder with another program, as TT offers all the solutions and explanations in a clear format.

The hardest part of TT is getting a teen to both read the text and watch the cdrom, rather than *just* watching the cdrom, imho.

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MarilynW
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Posted: Jan 28 2010 at 7:57am \| IP Logged

Bookswithtea wrote:

Ds did TT Geometry. He isn't the kind of student who could do it totally independently, but dad was able to fill in as necessary. I, on the other hand, was useless.

Thanks Books.

My dd did great with TT up to pre- Algebra. My twin ds (Grade 5) are doing TT6 and really doing well - but the text is a workbook format, and so it easier to remember.

I really like the suggestion you made in some other thread about watching the lectures for previous lessons - my boys do that and it has made a huge difference - they watch the previous 4 lessons, attempt the practice questions and then follow the lesson format for the lesson of the day.

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Tami
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Posted: Jan 28 2010 at 8:47am \| IP Logged

Bookswithtea wrote:

The hardest part of TT is getting a teen to both read the text and watch the cdrom, rather than *just* watching the cdrom, imho.

Books, is the cd different from the text for geometry? My ds prefers just to read the text - we only use the cd for when neither of us can figuure out the word problems.

We've used pre-algebra, algebra I & II, and I'm planning on purchasing the geometry. Oldest ds did Jacob's - ugh. I don't think this next boy can do it (or me again, for that matter), without a tutor or an MODG class.

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Bookswithtea
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Posted: Jan 28 2010 at 9:35am \| IP Logged

Tami wrote:

Bookswithtea wrote:

The hardest part of TT is getting a teen to both read the text and watch the cdrom, rather than *just* watching the cdrom, imho.

Books, is the cd different from the text for geometry?

I don't think its entirely different, but dh and I stressed to ds that it was important to read both before attempting the lessons, just for the reinforcement and because sometimes visual will click when audiovisual doesn't, kwim? We also pushed watching the lesson or two before, each day, for reinforcement, before starting the new lesson. Our only real complaint with TT for Alg 1 and Geometry (these are the only two we've used) is that there isn't a significant amount of practice before moving on to another concept. We used these little tricks to try to fix that problem for ds. A child who is gifted in math probably doesn't need to do all of this. Ds is better at it than I was, but is not gifted in math, either.

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ALmom
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Posted: Jan 28 2010 at 9:41am \| IP Logged

Geometry is a harder course to teach without familiarity. Most of the time, there are many, many possible and correct ways to tackle the problem. As a teacher, grader, you do have to know what to accept and what not to accept. There are also some constructions that it just helps to see actually done.

I'm totally unfamiliar with TT (honestly, since I have a math degree, I just have been unable to justify the expense for us since I already have at least 4 Geometry options in my house).

We have used Jacob's and it isn't impossible to use, but the first year I tried, it took me forever just to figure out the AK. Also there aren't any real solutions manuals so you have to be able to do it yourself and follow your child's steps to see if they are correct(unless that as changed with more recent editions).

Some texts emphasize different things. For my children, I felt the systematic thinking and discipline of proving each point was most important, along with the relationship of angles in a triangle and lastly followed by finding areas and some constructions. I'm not terribly worried about the non-Euclidean geometry for my folks who are clearly not math folks, though some exposure is good here, and some texts skip over more of what I thought was more beneficial for my non-math type folks.

A lot depends on how much emphasis you want on different asplects. If you have no means of showing them why - and accepting more than one possible answer, then having a tutor or TT might be the most effective. I just am totally unfamiliar with TT. The real critical part is having someone who can say, your answer isn't identical to the textbook's way - but it is correct, you just took a little bit less efficient way to get there.

If you need a consistent person to ask, we also had very, very good experience just doing a single course, Geometry, with Seton. Their math advisor was fabulous at getting back to dc right away with any questions. It probably helped that, as soon as he gave a hint or two, with my background, I could pick up right away and knew what we had been missing. I believe the material was more Euclidean Geometry - but it has been a while.

Janet

teachingmyown
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Posted: Jan 28 2010 at 10:45am \| IP Logged

I actually found Jacob's Geometry easier to teach than Jacob's Algebra. I was, briefly, in a past life, a math major.

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Bookswithtea
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Posted: Jan 28 2010 at 1:33pm \| IP Logged

ALmom wrote:

Most of the time, there are many, many possible and correct ways to tackle the problem. As a teacher, grader, you do have to know what to accept and what not to accept.

That is why I was so useless to ds! At least with Algebra 1, I could follow the answer key and sort of understand what was going on. But Geometry? No way.

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Tina P.
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Posted: Jan 28 2010 at 3:28pm \| IP Logged

teachingmyown wrote:

I was, briefly, in a past life, a math major.

We're doing TT Algebra and Geometry piggyback. I have zero experience with Jacob's, but I know we all like TT.

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Natalia
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Posted: Jan 28 2010 at 6:20pm \| IP Logged

Marilyn,

We with TT Algebra I and Geometry. The Algebra I was OK but the Geometry was a disaster. My dd didn't seem to grasp the concepts or if she did, she will forget them easily. AT the end of the course she didn't seem to know the subject so we ended up having to do some remedial work. This year we switch to Saxon for Algebra II. My dd said she wishes she would've done Saxon all along. She felt that TT didn't have enough practice.

I don't know if this is a case of the program and the student not being a good match for each other or, if it is a deficiency of the program. FWIW....

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Kristie 4
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Posted: Jan 29 2010 at 11:26am \| IP Logged

Does anyone do Math U See Geometry? I was thinking of this or Jacob's...

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Bookswithtea
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Posted: Jan 29 2010 at 12:49pm \| IP Logged

Kristie 4 wrote:

Does anyone do Math U See Geometry?

My next child to do high school math has been doing MUS for years and doesn't want to switch to TT. She will start pre algebra this fall. I'd be interested in any reviews anyone has to share on MUS for high school math, too...

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Martha in VA
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Posted: Jan 29 2010 at 1:32pm \| IP Logged

teachingmyown wrote:

I actually found Jacob's Geometry easier to teach than Jacob's Algebra. I was, briefly, in a past life, a math major.

Oh, I am SO glad to read this as we're up for Jacob's Geometry next fall!

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Carole N.
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Posted: Jan 29 2010 at 2:44pm \| IP Logged

We are also using Jacob's Geometry. But I found that completing Algebra II before geometry was a better option for us. We use TT for algebra and we really like the program. I think if I had it to do all over again, I would pick one program and stick with it. And I really like TT because my dc can self tutor with help when necessary. I am *not* a math person.

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Kristie 4
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Posted: Jan 29 2010 at 3:34pm \| IP Logged

Not to hijack this, but are you doing Jacob's Geo. after the Jacob's Algebra Martha? Or did you do Algebra 2 first??

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Kristie in Canada
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MarieA
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Posted: Jan 30 2010 at 6:17pm \| IP Logged

Math U See Geometry has been working very well for my ds. I also like Life of Fred Geometry.

Marie

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Martha
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Posted: Jan 30 2010 at 6:27pm \| IP Logged

What about Lials Geometry?

I haven't heard much about it, but their algebra is great. It's cheap. It's clear. It's solution manual is great.

I have Jacobs and Life of Fred, but I'd be tickled to have a program good all the way.

Just tossing another option out there.

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Martha in VA
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Posted: Jan 30 2010 at 7:04pm \| IP Logged

Kristie 4 wrote:

Not to hijack this, but are you doing Jacob's Geo. after the Jacob's Algebra Martha? Or did you do Algebra 2 first??

Currently, the plan is to finish Jacob's Algebra I this spring and begin Jacob's Geometry in the fall.

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