Lesson Plans

(If you have previously read the information below, click here to go to lesson plan 1 now!)

This instructional unit has been broken into 8 lessons as follows. The first five lessons pertain to solving right triangles and the last 3 lessons deal with solving any triangle whether it is right or not. Due to time constraints, the website and worksheets have not been fully developed for the last 3 lessons at this time. The first 5 lessons are fully functional as a unit on solving right triangles without including the last 3. Each lesson plan is available in html (links below) or pdf format for printing.

Each lesson combines a variety of class activities and the interactive website. The website may be used to present information during class presentations or discussion. It may also be used by students to review concepts and examples as they work through practice problems on paper. BE SURE TO WORK THROUGH THE WEBSITE BEFORE PRESENTING THE LESSONS SO THAT YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE NAVIGATION AND CAN PLAN FOR WHEN AND WHAT TO USE DURING YOUR LESSON.

Additional Information for all lessons:

Subject Area: Geometry

Unit Title: Trigonometric ratios and solving Triangles (An introduction to Trigonometry)

Grade Level: 10-12

Equipment needed: Instructor will need a white board or chalk board on which to demonstrate examples, a computer display system for displaying the web site to the entire class for demonstration and introduction of the web site (such as computer attached to a television for display), including an updated version of Flashplayer and either internet access or website files on the local harddrive. Students will need paper, pencil, scientific or graphing calculator, and (optional) individual computers with internet access.

Skills needed: Students should have successfully completed an elementary algebra course and part of a geometry course prior to this unit on trigonometry (knowledge of basic algebra, working with ratios and calculators, some knowledge of triangles).

Time Requirements: Time may vary depending on the students. However, instruction for each unit should be completed with a 45 to 90 minute class period.

Performance Evaluation: Determine if students understand each lesson by observing their work, evaluating their homework, and giving a quiz if needed. Quiz should consist of problems similar to those on the worksheets. Move on to the next lesson when students show sufficient understanding of current lesson.

Lesson 1- Review of triangle properties, right triangles, and pythagorean theorem

Lesson 2 - Introduction to trigonometric ratios and the mnemonic device sohcahtoa

Lesson 3 - Identifying which trig ratio to use for any problem and setting up the equation to solve it.

Lesson 4 - Solving trigonometric equations, including working with ratios and using calculators.

Lesson 5 - Real life application problems using the trig ratios, including drawing a picture, setting up the equation, and solving. This can also serve as a review and synthesis for the unit. Parts of lesson 8 may also be used if concluding the unit at this point.

Lesson 6 - (Optional) Using the Law of Sines to solve non-right triangles.

Lesson 7 - (Optional) Using the Law of Cosines to solve non-right triangles.

Lesson 8 - (Optional) Mixed problems; combining everything learned to solve for missing information in any triangle.