Geometry Curricula
L. A. Kids Home Page
These Geometry curriculums are selected for their visual and/or hands-on methods for teaching. Each program here provides video or DVD teaching presentations to enhance student understanding. Where noted, the text is exceptionally visually appealing with diagrams and examples. A Beka, Chalkdust, and Math-U-See use a step-by-step, instructor-based approach that is easy to understand. The D.I.V.E. CDs have each step in problem solving appear on the screen and the steps are then explained by the instructor. When the problem step pops onto the screen, it isn't always evident exactly which term the instructor is discussing in the explanation yet advanced students may find this method provides a quicker pace.
Switched-On
Schoolhouse Rē Math
-
We switched to the S.O.S. Math
programs after difficulty with careless errors in a large number of
traditional text-based problems. S.O.S.
provides immediate feedback by giving a "correct" or "try
again" response to the student in the interactive problems.
S.O.S. is a visual software
program which provides the instant feedback that is often essential
for children with learning disabilities. Additonally, the S.O.S.
software provides visual and auditory reinforcement through
teaching text, text-to-speech features, and teaching video clips. The
S.O.S. programs are available for all
grades and Geometry is presented in the 10th grade level.
ALEKS - We used S.O.S. as our primary Geometry program and used ALEKS for a spiral, comprehensive, practice program. ALEKS is an intelligent learning system that adjusts instruction to the mastery level of the student. Periodically reassessments are given to the child to check for retention. If a child has forgotten content previously mastered, the content is presented again. This program is a fabulous program for insuring a child has comprehensive mastery of all content.
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Thinkwell - Thinkwell has algebra, geometry, and higher math programs. Thinkwell primarily provides teaching video content with a human instructor teaching through white-board technology. The content is very similar to what a student would receive in a classroom, but the videos can be watched anytime, anywhere, in an isolated, undistracting setting. They can also be watched over and over so a child can take as much time as needed to learn about Geometry. We used Thinkwell for Pre-Algebra, and will use it for Algebra.
A Beka Academy DVD Program - This Geometry program is provided at a college preparatory level. It has a lot of neat elements, like having the DVD instructor show the word "parenthesis" when she introduces parenthesis. This helps a 2e child see how the word is spelled, hear what it sounds like, and to see what parenthesis look like at the time of introduction. The book is colorful, with many visual drawings & diagrams to demonstrate concepts, and presented in a clear, concise manner. While the program is pricey, I think it will be worth the money for any college-bound student needing to learn Geometry. The only downfall of Abeka's teaching DVDs is using a real classroom setting.. Sometimes the showing of other students can be a distraction to the viewer. This is particularly true when a student in the video works a problem incorrectly, it can be confusing to a child who is watching the DVD even though the errors are corrected by the teacher.
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Math-U-See
- A great program at the elementary levels, but somewhat less rigorous
at the upper math levels. The explanatory DVDs and Videos are great.
The texts are plain. The printing is all black and white, uncluttered,
and very straightforward. These texts may be the best of the lot for
those wanting simple presentation where the child does not require visual
graphics to understand the content. If you need in depth explanation
or visual diagrams, you will likely find the program falls short of
your needs.
Saxon
Math and D.I.V.E. DVDs -
Many children benefit from the detailed step-by-step program that Saxon
offers. This math program builds upon itself with plenty of repetitive
practice, cementing the concepts cognitively. The Geometry texts are
plain. Little in the way of visual content is provided. While the program
provides in-depth explanations and spiral teaching of concepts, the
lack of visuals may be an issue for highly visual learners.
Buy through ChristianBook.com
Or
see Amazon's availability of Saxon Geometry
