15 May 2007

RightStart Geometry

The continuing saga of our adventures using RightStart Geometry and RightStart B. I have an 11yo and a 7yo who have average math ability.The 11yo has done Miquon, Singapore, RightStart Transitions, Level D and Level E; RightStart has saved her from a life a math phobia.

I try to update our adventures on Tuesdays, although sometimes it doesn’t get done until Wednesday. And sometimes we really haven’t done that much math, so I skip it entirely.


RightStart Geometry:

Lesson 125 Pick’s Theorem With the Stomachion

Another chance to integrate math with other subjects! The Stomachion appears on one of Archimedes manuscripts. Although a brief history of Archimedes and the Stomachion is in the book, homeschool moms who are on-the-ball might consider reading more about Archimedes at this time. As for me, not being particularly on-the-ball, I waited until this week to look up Archimedes and the Door to Science at the local library and discovered every single copy is currently checked out AND there’s a waiting list of holds.

We looked at some Internet information on the Stomachion, using the site that is given in the RightStart book. We clicked on some of the links and discovered a page a page in which some of the information was given in Latin with no translation. Kid1 was intrigued, and read it all aloud, but gave no indication of how much she actually understood.

Lesson 126 Pick’s Theorem and Pythagorean Theorem

“That was easy.”

(Puts RightStart book back on shelf.)

“I really like Pick’s Theorem.”

As a matter of fact, some math-based discussion came up over the weekend while we were visiting aunts and uncles. I heard her comment, “that’s like Pick’s theorem,” at one point. She’s thinking about this stuff way beyond school time!

Lesson 127 Estimating Area With Pick’s Theorem

“The size of wildfires are calculated by using this method.” Well, who knew?

I am amazed that this lesson is completed with no griping whatsoever. She enjoys working with this. Later I realize that she didn’t do the final problem, that of using Pick’s theorem and a map of our state to find the area of our state. I am pretty sure this doesn't matter, given that she understands the concept.

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