Moms, take heart. You do not have to relearn tedious geometric proofs, because this program is designed specifically for independent learners. In addition to covering all standard school geometry topics, the 757-page text also emphasizes problems found on the SAT and ACT. In fact, nearly every problem set includes several problems that were modeled after those found on actual SAT and ACT exams. Geometry Teaching Textbook is also alive with real-world examples that make the math concepts worth learning.

Each lesson includes five practice problems and 20 to 24 assigned problems, for a total of almost 3,500 problems in the book. The set of CD-ROMs (available separately, or purchase the complete set ) has all the solutions, the lectures, and the practice problems; about 145 hours of multimedia assistance - wow!

About Teaching Textbooks

Designed for Homeschoolers
A number of years ago we did the unthinkable and took a poke at a sacred cow when we said that we didn't like the conventional big-name home school math programs. Though some families were steadfast in their defense, there has since been an increasing number of families who have come to realize that math programs originally designed to be used in government schools are wholly inadequate to meet the needs of home educators.

You Don't Have to be a Math Teacher!
What is wrong with adapting a school-based text for home use? There are a couple of significant issues with doing that. First, because a typical school text assumes a knowledgeable math teacher, the explanations are often meager and brief. If you double as a math teacher, this will present no problem to you. However, many parents either did not take upper level math as a teen, or if they did, the process is just a distant, unpleasant memory. So sparse explanations in typical texts can be frustrating to both child and parent. Second, government schools' math texts often contain excessive use of terminology, making simple ideas seem complex.

Combines a Teacher and a Textbook into One!
However, the Teaching Textbooks series is written with home educators in mind so it tackles those issues head-on in a rather innovative way, by combining a teacher and a textbook into one. Firstly, their textbooks, since they were designed specifically for independent learners, contain far more explanation than any others on the market, and the tone is friendly and conversational. Because the Teaching Textbooks series was designed for homeschoolers studying independently, it uses far less irrelevant jargon than other textbooks, while still retaining all the terms that students need to know for those important standardized tests. The textbook also comes with an answer key and a test bank.

Step-By-Step Multimedia Explanations
Secondly, and ultimately what sold me on this program, are their computer CDs with down-to-earth, step-by-step multimedia solutions for every problem in the book, plus an additional CD-ROM with complete step-by-step solutions for every test problem. The lectures - one for each lesson in the textbook - provide hours of instruction. They cover the same material as the written lessons in the textbook, but many students prefer to listen to (and watch) an explanation for each lesson rather than read it out of a book. (Note that you'll still need the textbook, because it has all the homework assignments and the answer key.) This is a brilliant idea, long overdue and skillfully done, with many hours of instruction.

Review Method
The Teaching Textbooks series has been field-tested with outstanding results. Like other quality math programs, Teaching Textbooks uses the review method because it is a proven method for ensuring children are able to master difficult subjects such as algebra and geometry. Students using Teaching Textbooks are fully prepared for College Board examinations and college courses. Enjoyable, efficient, and effective, what more could you want from a math program?

How do I know if my child is ready for Geometry?
If a student has completed Algebra 1, he/she is ready for Geometry. Although you may want to read our discussion below about whether it might make sense to take Algebra 2 next.

Is it best to take Geometry or Algebra 2 after Algebra 1?
A. Well, opinions on this differ. One risk of taking Geometry in between the two algebras is that the student might forget a lot of the Algebra 1 he learned during the year he spends on geometry. Also, if a student has done well with Algebra 1, why break the positive momentum?

On the other hand, since the PSAT has geometry on it, students who take Algebra 1 in the 9th grade may want to take Geometry in the 10th if they plan to take the PSAT in the 11th grade. You should know, however, that the purpose of the PSAT is to provide a warm-up to the SAT and to identify potential National Merit Finalists. Since there are other ways to prepare for the SAT (such as checking out a library book that contains several practice SATs), and since very few students ever become National Merit Finalists (about 2 or 3 in each large high school), the argument for taking Geometry before Algebra 2 is not overwhelming.

Click below to view Sample Lessons & Problem Sets from the Geometry Textbook:
Sample Lesson 10
Sample Lesson 14
Sample Lesson 26
Sample Lesson 32
Sample Lesson 36
Sample Lesson 41
Sample Lesson 49
Sample Lesson 50
Sample Lesson 78
Sample Lesson 79
Sample Lesson 82
Sample Lesson 92
Sample Lesson 96
Sample Lesson 97
Sample Lesson 100
Sample Lesson 108

Click below to view Excerpts from the Geometry Lecture & Practice CDs:
Excerpt on Deductive Reasoning
Excerpt on Euclid's Postulates
Excerpt on Line Segments
Using Betweenness of Rays
Excerpt on Properties of Equality
Excerpt on Formal and Informal Proofs
Completing a Formal Proof

Click below to view Demos from the Geometry Solutions CDs:
Writing a Conditional Statement for a Venn Diagram
Drawing a Venn Diagram
Arranging a Direct Proof
Analyzing a Definition
Using Betweenness of Points
Working with an Angle Bisector
A Formal Proof Involving Angle Bisectors
Fill-in-the-Blank Proof
Measuring with a Protractor