ABSTRACT
What geometry is taught and where or when in middle school? Geometry is scattered throughout the middle school curriculum. There is no specific course, and as the trend moves toward integrated topics, even if the course existed, it would be blended into a set of topics covered over the middle school years. The topics broached in the elementary grades are revisited. Why? If the concepts were taught well, understood by the students, and so on, why would they be repeated in the middle school? One reason sometimes put forward is that we have always done it that way. That is not a good reason. If the students know the topic being covered, why go over it again? That only serves to stimulate their dislike of mathematics in general, and geometry in particular. At the same time, if the students do not know the necessary information, it is im-
perative that they be properly introduced to the topics. A delicate balance, isn't it? How do you learn what to do? For the most part, you need to be aware of your students, their needs, where they have been, prior exposures, and where they are going mathematically. That coupled with the experience you will gain as you teach will provide you with guidance in your decisionmaking process.
