Euclid's Elements at High School Level?

[Geremia]

Has anyone taught geometry at the high school level using Euclid's Elements (e.g., Heath's translation (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Euc.+toc)) as a textbook? Einstein considered the Elements a "holy little geometry book."

[qntty]

I tried reading heath's translatino when I was studying geometry and didn't like it. I thought that the archaic terminology got in the way of the math. The content of the book was nice so if you can find a modern translation (heath's was done in the early 1900's) then it might be nice as long as the students have a good teacher that would explain the basics of geometry and proof-writing.

[Geremia]

The content of the book was nice so if you can find a modern translation (heath's was done in the early 1900's) then it might be nice as long as the students have a good teacher that would explain the basics of geometry and proof-writing.Which translation is better than Heath's, then? Fitzpatrick (http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/euclid.html)'s translation is too literal.

[Howers]

Screw Euclid. Get a modern interpretation like Jacobs "Elementary Geometry".

Euclid is great for historical reasons, but modern methods are far more efficient. Not the mention you get practice problems with books. Einstein didnt use Euclid; he too used a modern interpretation by some German author.

If you insist on Euclid,make it this one: http://www.amazon.com/Euclids-Elements-T-L-Heath-Translation/dp/1888009195

[whybother]

I read Elements in high school and got an incredible amount out of it. I think it would be a great tool for any mathematically motivated student. One of my math teachers in my junior year of high school gave us optional reading of it for extra credit and it was probably that initial push into geometry that lead me into pure mathematics. It can definitely be used at the high school level.