It's Elementary! Geometry for Grade School Students
Circles, squares, pentagons, octagons, polygons, angles, rays, points, and lines, there are so many names to learn in geometry. They may sound strange and new, but geometry is all around you. Your computer monitor's surface is more or less a rectangle, your pencil is roughly a cylinder, and, viewed from the top, the cable from your mouse to the computer, is a line segment. Once you start thinking about geometric shapes, you'll find them everywhere.
The next step after learning the names is to figure out how they fit together and how to break them apart. You'll split cones, just like you would with a buddy, but you'll know how to do it exactly and how the numbers should add up. Playing with paper, whether it's paper airplanes or origami, is another great way to study angles, triangles, squares, and other polygons.
This Homework Helper features a booklist of fun geometry titles, including the adventures of the brave Sir Cumference and his squire, Radius, as well as links to sites that teach and review the basics of geometry.
In the Library
See our list of geometry books for elementary age students, or ask a librarian for help.
On the Web
Angles from TOONUniversity
http://www.toonuniversity.com/flash.asp?err=200
Help Robot Guy shoot down alien space ships by knowing every angle: obtuse, right, and acute.
Ask Dr. Math: Elementary Geometry
http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/sets/elem_geom.html
Dr. Math explains terms in geometry: types of angles, area and perimeter, polygons, geometric formulae, area and volume, spheres, and surface area. Questions to Dr. Math are answered by math students at colleges throughout the country.
King's List of Online Math Activities: Geometry
http://www.k111.k12.il.us/departments/instructionalprograms/internetresources/math.aspx#Geometry/
Links to flash cards, interactive geometry, online pattern blocks, java games with angles, and other math activities.
Live Homework Help
http://kids.librarypoint.org/kids_homework_help
CRRL patrons (grades 4 to 12) can get free help from skilled teachers at tutor.com. Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 3 pm to 10 pm.
What Is It? Identifying and Classifying Polygons
http://www.eduplace.com/math/mathsteps/3/a/index.html
The basic polygons, triangle through octagon, illustrated. Includes examples of equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles.
