Make Homeschool Geometry Easy
It is important in homeschool geometry to have plenty of hands-on activities. Also talk about the shapes. Having plenty of experiences with the properties of shapes will help your child understand geometry in high school.
How to start
Geometry is easy for children in preschool through first grade. Teach your child the names of the shapes. We had a simple baby book that I read to my toddlers and preschoolers. On each page it had simple shapes such as a star, circle, rectangle, and square. The book used the shapes to draw pictures.
We also went through the house looking for shapes. Windows were either squares or rectangles. I had a clock in the shape of a circle. My children had fun and learned a lot.
Homeschool Geometry in the Elementary Years
In the early elementary years we use shapes to compare sizes. I have my children put the circles into order from small, medium, and large.
Pattern blocks can help your child learn about the properties of different shapes. My children would cover a shape with another shape. It takes two red trapezoids to cover a yellow hexagon. We also used the blocks to learn about symmetry. The blocks can also be used to introduce geometry terms such as line, angle, and parallel.
We also learn more of the terms of geometry like congruent, symmetry, parallel, and perpendicular. Geo-boards are good for teaching congruent shapes.
I have my children learn how to use a ruler, compass, and protractor. I want them to be able to measure and draw shapes. Beside shapes I had them draw parallel and perpendicular lines.
We also learn some of the formulas for area, perimeter and circumference.
Teaching in Middle School
In middle school continue working with shapes and measuring them. Also talk about what is a parallel line and what is not. Keep a geometry concept notebook. You will want your middle school child to begin to think abstractly about geometric shapes.
High School Geometry
If your child has had lots of hands-on experiences with shapes and can think abstractly he should do okay in high school geometry or formal geometry. Formal geometry has to do with proofs. A proof is a description of the reasoning used to make true statements or theorems about geometry.
Even if your child is has trouble with formal geometry he still needs to know how to measure. Measuring is used in construction. If your child ever carpets a room he will need to know how to measure the area. So homeschool geometry is important for all children.
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