From: Sheila.King@f315.n103.z1.fidonet.org (Sheila King)
Newsgroups: k12.ed.math
Subject: REVISING GEOMETRY CURRICU
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 92 14:23:00 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 1:103/315 - Castle of the Four , Diamond Bar CA

Howard,

Thank YOU for your response to my post about revising the geometry
curriculumn. I hope you don't mind if I copy some of it and distribute
it at our meeting this Thursday.

-> Your ideas seem right on target as far as I can see, especially the
-> idea of deferring proof until later in the year (or at least
-> introducing it more slowly).  I hope that you have a copy of
-> Discovering Geometry by Michael Serra (also from Key Curriculum Press
-> like the SketchPad).  His ideas and yours articulate very well.  In
-> fact, it seems that you have arrived at many of his conclusions and
-> methods from your own experience.

Well, I do have a copy of Michael Serra's book. I purchased it probably
3 years ago (or whenever it FIRST came out on the market.). I agree that
some of his ideas and mine concur, and I probably have been influenced
in some part by his book. But his book is not my ideal. I would settle
for using his book as an improvement over our current geometry course,
if I could not get enough of the teachers at our school to agree to put
in the work to develope our own course. But I would prefer to develope
our own course.

Some areas where his book and my ideas differ: Extensive use of
coordinate geometry starting in the first semester. He has *some*
coordinate geometry. But not very much. Also: Teaching areas and volumes
in the first semester. In his book they still come near the end. His
book also relies very heavily on compass and straight edge
constructions, although I realize that it could be adapted to
incorporate other methods. I would like to see us use more Myra, Paper
folding, Geoboards, dot paper, etc... a variety of methods.

His developement of syllogisms, etc.. and other types of logic rules
before starting proof is great, but I would like to do even more with
that. I think his chapters on design and drawing at the beginning are
great, but a bit overdone for our school, since our instructional time
is very short. Still, the book *could* be used with adaptations. But
like I say, I'm a bit ambitious.

-> Of course, if you need more ammunition for your board or
-> parents you can refer to the research of Belgians Pierre Van Hiele
-> and Dina Van Hiele-Geldorf and their theory of levels in the
-> development of geometric thought and the instructional process which
-> is required to move between levels. By the way this approach, using
-> Serra's text and other resources, was piloted in randomly selected
-> classrooms in the Lincoln Public Schools during 1990-91 school year.
-> The results are reported in a Masters Thesis by Matt Larson at UNL.
-> The results were significant and positive on both the achievement and
-> affective measures (students who took this course did better on the
-> school-wide final and were much more positive about their experience
-> in geometry).  As a result Lincoln Public Schools have adopted and
-> use this approach in teaching geometry, which follows first-year
-> algebra. Well, sorry to ramble, but when I saw your list and ideas I
-> just got very enthusiastic all over again and want to encourage you
-> in your efforts.

Well, I'm glad to see at least YOU got enthusiastic about it.
Unfortunately I was feeling very bummed on Friday, as I had occassion to
discuss this topic with two of our math teachers privately, and neither
of them were for it. Well, hopefully I just talked to the two most
negative teachers in the dept....we'll see come Thursday.

Say, is there any chance of my getting a copy of some of the work from
UNL or perhaps the curriculumn being used by the schools in the Lincoln
District? I am MORE than willing to reimburse for copying and postage
costs. My adress is:

Sheila King
Mater Dei High School
1202 W. Edinger
Santa Ana, CA 92707

Please let me know if that's possible. Thanks again,
Sheila
coming to you from Diamond Bar, CA (in Los Angeles County)
                                                                                   

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