The New Student's Reference Work/Geometry

Geom′etry in its origin was the science of measuring the surface of the earth (Greek gē, the earth, and metron, measure). With the ancient Egyptians, for instance, it took the form of mensuration, because of the need of a yearly survey of the lands that were left bare and muddy after each annual overflow of the Nile. Geometry now is the science of form; although, indeed, the exact geometrical forms are seldom found in nature. Perhaps one should begin to teach geometry as the Egyptians learned it, through making simple geometrical measurements and surveys in the play-ground, of baseball diamonds, hopscotch courts, a lawn tennis court and so on. For, according to the strictly logical form of Euclid's teaching, it is seldom that a child perceives the need of geometry or begins with an interest in it. For this reason, top, geometrical properties should be taught in the first place largely by paper-folding and cutting, by the use of models, such as the kindergarten gifts, and by the graphical representation of facts that have to do with the other interests and studies of children. The classic work upon Geometry is still the Elements of Euclid, who wrote about 285 B. C. in the great days of Alexandria. But geometers of the 19th century declined to be bound by the Elements. There arose a new geometry, which began perhaps with Carnot. It certainly is necessary for the teacher of geometry to abandon the logical order of Euclid for a more practical and interesting and, in short, more psychological method.