Investigating Geometry Part 5 (Of 5)

In this part of discover geometry we will be applying the skills we have learned in part 1-4 to concepts of area and volume. We will derive the formulas and understand the abstract meaning of area and volume. We will use what we have learned to apply it to irregular shapes and explore ways to use these concepts in other disciplines. We will also learn trigonometry ratios and apply them to real life applications.

Students will have 3 days of live instruction per week but will be assigned enough work for them to practice the skills 5 days a week. 

A geometry set is required for this class. Any set that has the following items will do:
A ruler (12 inches and 30 cm)
A protractor
A compass
Triangle Ruler (Set square)
Geo board (Printable provided)
Graph paper (Printable provided)
Patty paper
Toothpicks and modeling clay
Your learner will also need a notebook to write in. Geometry has its own set of vocabulary and learning it can be like learning a new language. Students will have a set of vocabulary term they must put in their geometry dictionary (notebook) each week.

Core objectives:
Develop the concept of area
Derive formulas and methods for finding areas of rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, trapezoids, kites, sectors, segments, and annulus.
Use rectangle diagrams to review factoring.
Discover Pick’s formula for finding the area of an irregular figure drawn on a grid.
Discover methods for finding the surface areas of solids.
solve area application problems using various problem-solving strategies.
Practice visual thinking in three dimensions.
Learn the vocabulary of solids.
Discover formulas for the volumes of solids and use them to solve applied problems.
find the volumes of irregularly shaped solids through displacement or density
derive the formulas for the volume and surface area of a sphere and use them to solve applied problems
Practice three-dimensional visual thinking skills.

Schedule: Subject to change
Week One: Review area; Word problems with area and irregular shapes.
Week two: Products factors, quadratic equations and polygons.
Week three: Area of circles and surface area
Week four: review of Solids and finding the volume of a cone and irregular shapes
Week five: Displacement and density, and surface area of a sphere


I like to show the students the way math rules work so that it is easier to remember them. This way the curiosity of knowing how something works will move the gears of critical thinking. After I have shown them a pattern and why it works. I will ask them to apply it to a hard problem. If they can use these skills in different ways, I know they have mastered the concepts. I believe to memorize math is not understanding, but to apply math is not only understanding but fluency! To obtain this level of understanding, I will lead the students on a journey to discovering math through discussion, observation, and application of the math being used. If this is the kind of math class, you want then I am the teacher for you.