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  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    San Antonio, Texas
    Posts
    172

    Is High School Geometry Obsolete?

    Geometric concepts are important, but is it necessary to
    teach the same way Euclid may have taught? In particular, of
    what practical importance is it to construct figures using
    compass and straightedge or construct two-column proofs?
    Neither of these topics are covered, as far as I can tell,
    on the Texas state exams (TAKS). In thirty years of working
    in research and development before I started teaching, I
    have never had the occasion to do much traditional Euclidean
    geometry, although I have done plenty of analytic geometry,
    trig, etc.

    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.
    The Laws of Nature are written by the Hand of God in the Language of Mathematics. - Galileo

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Belgrade, Serbia
    Posts
    462

    Re: Is High School Geometry Obsolete?

    Quote 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.

  3. #3
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    19

    Re: Is High School Geometry Obsolete?

    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
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  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Posts
    2,455

    Re: Is High School Geometry Obsolete?

    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.
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  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    32
    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.

  6. #6
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    29
    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.

  7. #7
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    24
    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.

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    36
    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.

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