Why do kids struggle with Geometry?
Geometry is the branch of mathematics that deals with the properties, measurement, and relations of points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids. In layman’s terms it is math applied to pictures. Many people say it is creative rather than analytical, and students often have trouble making the leap between Algebra and Geometry. They are required to use their spatial and logical skills instead of the analytical skills they were accustomed to using in Algebra.
There are 3 major reasons students struggle with Geometry:
1. They don’t understand and can’t apply the vocabulary to decode the problem.
2. They can’t see or recognize all of the pieces that go into making up the Geometry problem.
3. They struggle with the Algebra skills involved in doing Geometry, which means they didn’t retain some of their skills from last year.
Most Geometry problems are given in terms of pictures. It is probably one of the first times in a student’s Mathematical career that the problem hasn’t been completely spelled out for them. If they don’t pick up on the subtle clues given in the picture, they aren’t able to decode the problem. The information they need is all there, they just don’t recognize it as useful. Vocabulary plays a critical role in this process. If you don’t know what a bisector is and what it does, how are you going to beable to solve a problem involving one?
Another common struggle we see is that students are impatient with the decoding process. One picture in a problem can contain many steps before you get to the final answer. Just because you are looking for the value of one angle doesn’t mean you can ignore the rest of the picture. There is usually a progression of finding one piece of information that helps you find another that helps you find another, and so on until you get to your final answer. Students need to know how and where to start the problem so they can work their way to the answer. They also need to be patient as they work thoroughly through the entire process.
Mathnasium of Ponte Vedra Geometry Curriculum
Geometry asks students to “exercise” their spatial sense and geometric reasoning. When students reach Geometry, they will be exploring the subject’s fundamentals, including concepts of points, lines, planes, surfaces, angles and curves, along with topics such as proofs, geometric measurement and dimensions, and experimental and theoretical probability.
The curriculum samples shown here represent critical topics we address:
- Synthetic geometry: geometric proofs—use of axioms and primitive terms
- "Prove vertical angles are equal."
- Metric (coordinate) geometry—the Pythagorean theorem, the distance formula, the mid-point formula
- "Find the diagonal of a rectangle whose length is 12 and whose width is 5."
- Properties of geometric figures—congruence, similarity, proportionality
- All about slope
- "Find the slope of the line that is perpendicular to the line 3x + 2y = 8."
Our Approach
To determine each student’s math and geometry abilities, Mathnasium of Ponte Vedra gives a written and verbal assessment exclusive to the Mathnasium Method. Based on the diagnostic assessment results, our math tutors build customized learning plans designed to fit the student’s specific needs in two important ways -- avoid spending time on things they already know and strengthen the things they need help on to reduce frustration with their geometry assignments.
We understand the pressures and busy schedules our students face. Our focus is to help with immediate problems, such as geometry homework help and test prep, while filling in any foundational gaps in their mathematical knowledge. The goal is to enhance their performance in the crucial exams they’ll be taking that can have a great effect on their future: Florida Standards Assessments (FSA), End of Course (EOC) exams, Advanced Placement (AP) exams, and the SAT and the ACT.
Geometry Homework Help
Our experienced Geometry tutors and instructors provide homework help that addresses gaps in knowledge. As these gaps close, students understand the material better, boost homework confidence, and raise their Geometry class grades. With this help, instead of seeing Geometry homework as a burden and frustration, students begin to see it as a welcome challenge and an opportunity for further learning.
