Geometry

Instructor
Classroo
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Ms. Patricia Howie

Phone

(202)537-6373

WN-314

E-mail

phowie@cathedral.org

Text, Materials, and Resources: Geometry, Larson, Boswell, Stiff, 2004-there will be a link provided to an online
version of the textbook. Pencils, pens, straightedge, compass, scientific or graphing calculator, portfolio
(notebook or binder) for keeping notes, homework, handouts, and returned assessments
Course Purpose and Description:
This course allows students to examine Euclidean geometry as a deductive mathematical system, to develop
and learn a basic set of geometric facts and formulas, and to explore spatial relations of geometric figures.
Students are expected to become proficient in the language of geometry, to create and defend proofs, to solve
geometric problems in a wide range of applications, and to appreciate the usefulness of geometry.
Participation in this class affords the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from a group learning experience,
to appreciate the classroom as a community of learners, and to develop maturity, independence, and
responsibility for one's own learning. Lessons will have varied formats, from traditional instruction to flipped
lessons and blended learning. Successful completion of a first year algebra course is a prerequisite for this
class.
Enduring Understandings:
The basic concepts of geometry allow us to analyze and interpret the physical world.
Geometric properties can be used to solve real world problems.
Reasoning and proof are important aspects in establishing a solid argument in geometry and beyond.
Essential Questions:
How are geometric properties used to solve problems in everyday life?
How can plane and solid shapes be described and how are they useful in the real world?
How can creating a proof be useful in other disciplines and areas of your life?
Why is mathematical reasoning, both deductively and inductively, useful?
Where is geometry present in the world?
How did the geometric discoveries of different cultures affect and enhance Euclidean Geometry?
Course Information:
Homework: You are expected to complete a homework assignment for each day that the class meets.
Assignments may be problems from the text for which you should check and correct your work using any
available answers in the text. Assignments may also be readings or viewings of recorded lessons, for which
you should take notes and/or follow instructional guidelines. When you arrive in the classroom each day, you
should immediately have homework ready to be checked and discussed. You are encouraged to volunteer to
share and discuss your work with the rest of the class.
Absences: If you are absent from class, you are responsible for getting the assignment through a classmate or
by emailing Ms. Howie. You may also request recorded notes. Any missed class or work is the responsibility of
the student to make-up. Unless you have made other arrangements with Ms. Howie in advance, you will be
expected to make up any missed quiz/test the day you return to school. If you miss a quiz/test, but are at
school later in the day, you are required to take the quiz/test before you leave that day.

Extra Help: Students are encouraged to meet with Ms. Howie during office hours if needed.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, the student will:
Analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three-dimensional geometric shapes and develop
mathematical arguments about geometric relationships
Explore congruence and similarity among 2 and 3 dimensional geometric objects, make conjectures and
solve problems using conjectures to analyze
Establish validity of conjectures using deduction, inductive reasoning and application of theorems
Identify and be able to construct 2 and 3 dimensional objects
Utilize trigonometric relationships to determine length and angle measurements using trigonometry and
relationships established in theorems
Use visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling to solve problems
Evaluation and Assessment:
Your grade will be based on class work (which may be individual or group), graded assignments, quizzes, and
tests. Each assessment will be worth a certain number of points; your quarter grade will be based on the
number of points you earn out of total points possible. It may be adjusted up or down to reflect attendance,
attitude, homework completion, and contribution to the learning environment. Re-takes on assessments is not
allowed unless there are extenuating circumstances; there will be some opportunities to earn bonus points. At
the end of each semester there will be a cumulative exam. Your semester grade is determined by your two
quarter grades and this exam. A year end grade is the average of your two semester grades.
Tentative Unit Plan

Topic

Type of Unit Assessment

Basics of Geometry
1st Quarter

Reasoning and Proof

Perpendicular and Parallel Lines

Quizzes, Tests, Portfolio

Congruent Triangles
Properties of Triangles
2nd Quarter

Coordinate Proofs
Polygons & Quadrilaterals

Quizzes, Tests, Portfolio

Inequality Theorems,
Similarity
3rd Quarter

Right Triangles & Trigonometry

Geometric Constructions

Quizzes, Tests, Portfolio

Circles
Locus
4th Quarter

Area, of Polygons and Circles

Surface Area, Volume of Solids
Miscellaneous additional topics

Quizzes, Tests, Portfolio