Geometry Tutorial: Improving Geometry Skills

Improve Your Geometry Skills

Learn the Vocabulary

Math vocabulary is a weakness for many students. It's an especially big problem in geometry, since word problems and complicated terminology are both prevalent in this subject. Whether you're an elementary school student learning the names of shapes or a high school student learning theorems and formulas, memorizing geometry terms is critical to your success. Here are some suggestions for improving your math vocabulary:

1. Most students don't realize that their math textbook has a glossary. Using it to look up unfamiliar geometry terms can save you lots of time.

2. Ask your teacher for a vocabulary list for each unit. Learning all the terms on this list will help you better understand your math lessons and homework. Making flashcards is an excellent way to memorize any vocabulary terms.

3. When you learn a new math term, explain it to someone else, like a friend or parent. This exercise will both test and deepen your understanding of new concepts.

Make It Concrete

Geometry is sometimes described as 'abstract,' but almost any geometry problem can be represented by a drawing or a physical object (a 'manipulative'). Whenever possible, draw a picture of the problem you're trying to solve, or represent the problem using manipulatives, like blocks.

Some students are particularly challenged by spatial reasoning problems, which require you to imagine what happens if an object is moved in a certain way. For example, you might be asked to describe what a 2-dimensional shape will look like if it's reflected (flipped over) and then rotated 180 degrees (turned upside down).

Spatial reasoning is an area where representing the problem with a physical object can be very helpful, and it is also a skill that can be improved with practice. Ask your teacher for extra worksheets, and use physical objects, like paper cutouts, to represent the problems. Once you get better at solving spatial reasoning problems, you can gradually stop using the manipulatives.