Teaching Geometry Concepts

Helping students understand geometry concepts should begin well before geometry is studied as a subject. The following ideas for teaching geometry concepts can be used beginning with the upper elementary grades.

• Show students both correct and incorrect examples of a concept. Have students distinguish between correct and incorrect examples.
• Present a concept in different representations. For example, show a geometric shape in different positions, emphasizing that the shape remains constant.
• Have students draw examples of a geometry concept. For example, have them draw a parallelogram.
• Have students provide a definition for a concept. For example, ask students to define a parallelogram.
• Have students use manipulatives and drawings to demonstrate a concept.