Thread: Is High School Geometry Obsolete?

Originally Posted by Roy/SATX

I have some anecdotal evidence that the obsession with the sequence Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II is mostly an American one. So we have students who take Algebra I, then Geometry, then Algebra II, by which time they have forgotten Algebra I. Yet most of the material in the two algebra courses are identical.

I think geometry should be integrated better with algebra.
How to do this well, I don't know. I am interested in suggestions.

Well, within the "Mathematics" course we basically have alternating units of Geometry and "formula math" (this starts in elementary so I cannot say Algebra) that last for a month or so, and then they switch back.
I cannot tell that there is actual integration for the most part.

My high school is planning on changing the traditional sequence Agebra I, Geomery, Algebra II to become Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry...for the very reasons stated in the first post

I have NEVER understood the sequence personally. Even in the dark ages when I was in school, it would have been easier to have the Algebras together. In college, I took my chem and physic sequences together.

Our schools have Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus as the sequence and it doesn't make sense to me. Most students struggle with algebra II and geometry just gets lost somewhere in between. I would love to see better integration.

My nephew came home with his registration form for ninth grade this week. I was looking over his course selection guide. He has no option for taking Algebra or Geometry, although he's taking Algebra I right now in the eighth grade. All they are having is something called advanced integrated math. I am hoping that this is an attempt to include Algebra and geometry in the same course. I hope they won't drop the ball on this one.

Our school is the same here - Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and PreCalc. I don't know why this is either and I wish they would change it up. I'm not sure how the classes are taught - I know the Math teachers are constantly changing things up every few years.

I think they want algebra II to be closer in time to precalculus so the students don't forget what they need, but it is odd to have geometry just stuck in the middle.

I don't think it's as necessary to spend time physically constructing with the compass and straight edge, but I think proofs are important. I had to do a lot of them in college and wished I'd had more in high school.