Mathematics Lesson Plan - EDFE 3200 D
November 2, 2017
Teacher Candidates: Anna Kusnomo, Daiva Ramanauskas, Paulina Salata, Xuewen Yang
Subject: Mathematics Grade: 10 Academic
Strand: Trigonometry Time: 75 min
FRAMEWORK
Lesson Specific Expectation:
BIG IDEA: Solving Problems Involving the Trigonometry of Right Triangles
Solve problems involving the measures of sides and angles in right triangles in real life
applications (i.e. in determining the height of an inaccessible object around the school), using
the primary trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean theorem.
Mathematical Process Expectations:
In this lesson, students will perform processes of:
● Problem solving
● Reasoning
● Selecting tools and computational strategies
● Representing
● Communicating
Learning Goals:
By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:
● Recall and choose the appropriate trigonometric ratio to calculate the height of an object
(Knowledge & Comprehension)
● Relate basic trigonometry ratios to a concrete real-life application (Application)
● Illustrate observations using a diagram (Application)
● Devise a tool and a strategy to measure the angle of elevation and height of an object
(Synthesis)
● Compare answers and provide reasoning for discrepancies (Evaluation)
Success Criteria:
To be successful in this lesson, I will:
● Follow instructions to make a clinometer
● Measure the angle of elevation of a tall object using the clinometer
● Produce a scaled diagram of my investigation
● Label my diagram accurately
● Calculate the height of the classroom wall using the tools I have and the appropriate
trigonometric ratio
● Collaborate with my partner to gather data and make meaningful conclusions from it
● Discuss my findings with others using mathematical vocabulary and conventions
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Mathematics Lesson Plan - EDFE 3200 D
November 2, 2017
SEQUENCE
Assessment FOR:
This can be done before or after Minds On:
● Take up homework from previous class
● Review of “basic trigonometric ratios” (i.e. SOH CAH TOA) as a class
● Review/introduction of the concept of “angle of elevation” and “angle of depression”
Minds On:
Part 1: FIND YOUR PARTNER
This brief activity acts as a way to both review trigonometric values and partner students up
● Each student will randomly pick a small piece of paper after entering the classroom. (The
following table will be printed out and cut into small pieces.) Each piece of paper either
has a trig ratio or an actual value written on it. Students will look for their partner by
matching the trig ratio with the actual value. They may use a calculator for this activity.
sin30o 0.5 tan15o 0.2679 sin10o 0.1736 sin5o 0.0872 tan21o 0.3839
sin35o 0.5736 sin40o 0.6428 sin45o cos45o tan12o 0.2126 cos22o 0.9272
cos33o 0.8387 cos55o 0.5736 cos65o 0.4226 cos70o 0.3420 tan80o 5.6713
Part 2: ANGLE OF ELEVATION VS. ANGLE OF DEPRESSION
● With your partner, discuss briefly the difference between angles of elevation and
depression
Action:
● Transition:
○ Have you ever thought of how we could measure the height of a wall if we did not
have a measuring tape or if it were too high?
○ Would you like to guess what a Clinometer is?
○ Today, we are going to measure the height of our classroom wall using a
clinometer.
● Part 1: MAKING A CLINOMETER (Pairs)
○ Teacher hands out the “Making a Clinometer” instruction sheet (Appendix A)
and distributes materials to each pair. This activity should take about 15 minutes.
○ Materials (provided per pair):
■ Protractor template
■ Index paper
■ Straw
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Mathematics Lesson Plan - EDFE 3200 D
November 2, 2017
■ 20 cm string
■ Paperclip (as weight attached to the end of the string)
■ Glue
■ Scissors
■ Cellotape
● Part 2: USING THE CLINOMETER (Pairs)
○ Once the clinometers are ready to use, send the pairs to different parts of the
classroom (or any other room in the school) to measure the height of the room’s
wall. Preferably, students measure the height of walls in the same room, so that
at the end of the class, pairs can compare results.
○ Teacher will distribute the handout “Using the Clinometer” (A ppendix B) and
optionally the pre-designed organizer “Using Trigonometry to Calculate the
Height of the Classroom Wall” (Appendix C) prior to the start of the activity.
○ Materials (per pair):
■ Scientific calculator (own)
■ Ruler & stationery (own)
■ Blank paper or pre-designed organizer (provided)
■ Measuring tape (provided - to share with the whole class)
○ Assessment AS: Checklist for Clinometer (Appendix D)
This is done by the teacher as students are working on the above activities to
check for:
● Student readiness
● Understanding of instructions
● Correct execution of activity
● Collaboration
Consolidation (Assessment AS):
● Teacher provides opportunity for pairs to share their investigation findings through one of
these ways:
○ Volunteers (3-4, preferably those who have approached the problem differently)
could be asked to go up to the board and explain their process and solution
○ Pairs pair up with other pairs to compare their results
○ Gallery walk around the classroom
● Teacher will hold a class discussion on the following:
○ Why were some of the results different? (Possible points: taking the wrong
reading for angle of elevation, excluding height of the person measuring (at eye
level) in calculating the total height, rounding angles or mid-calculations too early
in the process, etc.)
○ What would happen to the angle of elevation if you were standing closer or
farther away from the wall?
Possible Next Step:
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Mathematics Lesson Plan - EDFE 3200 D
November 2, 2017
Plotting or organizing the class’ data from Activity - Part 2 to identify the range of data values
and possible outliers - for further discussion that leads into Data Management.
Mid- Unit Assignment (Assessment OF):
Now it is your job is to create a scenario where you need to use trigonometry to calculate an
object that is either taller than you or higher than you. It is up to you where it takes place. It can
take place in your home, your neighbourhood or on Pluto. This is your opportunity to b e
creative!
What needs to be included:
❏ A description of the scenario.
❏ The question. (ie. Find the height of the tower.)
❏ A diagram of the scenario you are describing. It must be LABELED!
❏ A detailed solution. Show ALL your work and thinking.
❏ A concluding statement that answers the question you posed.
❏ Work must be organized.
Accommodations:
● For English Language Learners:
○ Provide an oral component of the instructions (i.e. reading aloud by the teacher)
○ Provide a visual component of the instructions (i.e. visualization on PPT)
● For students struggling in math:
○ Provide pre-designed organizers to document observations, calculations, and
results
○ Provide extra time
○ Divide and deliver the task in smaller components
○ Have an Educational Assistant in larger classrooms
● For students in need of breaks (to get up and move around)
○ Minds on activity and the clinometer measuring activity
gets the students up and moving while they are learning
● For more advanced students:
○ Introduce a Clinometer app in addition to the Clinometer
device students made
○ Provide blank instead of pre-designed organizers to
diagram observations
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Mathematics Lesson Plan - EDFE 3200 D
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APPENDIX A
Making a Clinometer
Did you know?
Captain Jack Sparrow used a clinometer in the
movie Pirates of the Caribbean. A clinometer is a
useful piece of equipment for measuring angles
and calculating approximate heights. It is used
frequently in forestry, engineering and
astronomy. It was invented over 1,000 years ago
and was an important piece of equipment for
early navigators. You can use it here today to
estimate the height of our classroom wall!
Let’s make a Clinometer!
1. Cut out the protractor
template below and glue it on
INDEX paper.
2. Tape the 20 cm string to the
flat edge of the protractor, so
that the end of the string
touches the vertical line in
the centre. To make sure it is
secure, tape the string to the
back of the protractor and
wrap it around the bottom.
3. Tie a paperclip to the other
end of the string. Let it swing
freely.
4. Now, glue a straw to the flat
edge of the clinometer. The finished product should look like the figure on the right.
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Mathematics Lesson Plan - EDFE 3200 D
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Protractor Template:
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Mathematics Lesson Plan - EDFE 3200 D
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APPENDIX B
Using the Clinometer to Find The Height of our Classroom Wall
You can now put your clinometer to use.
Find the angle of elevation by looking
through the straw to line up the top of the
wall. The string hanging down will show
you an angle reading, which you must
subtract from 90 degrees to get the
angle of elevation.
Let’s measure the height of our classroom wall:
1. Work in pairs - one holding the clinometer and the other measuring and recording
information.
2. Stand a distance away from the wall and measure the
distance between the wall and observer.
3. View the top of the wall using the clinometer through the
straw so that the string is vertical.
4. Record the angle reading where the string falls and
calculate the angle of elevation.
5. Draw a diagram in the paper/grid provided (Appendix C)
and label all your measurements correctly.
6. Now, use the correct trigonometric ratio to measure the
approximate height of the wall.
(If you were measuring the
height of a tree)
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Mathematics Lesson Plan - EDFE 3200 D
November 2, 2017
APPENDIX C [Link]
Using Trigonometry to Calculate the Height of the Classroom Wall
With your partner, record your observations in the chart provided.
Height from ground to Distance between observer Angle of elevation to the top
observer’s eye and wall of the wall
Draw a diagram of the scenario in the space below. In your diagram mark the right angle, the
angle of elevation, the hypotenuse, and the adjacent and opposite side with respect to the angle
of elevation. Make sure all sides are labelled and measurements are included.
Now it is time to calculate the height of the wall. Look back to your diagram. What are your
givens? What side length are you trying to find? What trigonometric ratio uses these two sides?
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Mathematics Lesson Plan - EDFE 3200 D
November 2, 2017
APPENDIX D
Assessment AS Checklist (used during group activities)
Learning Goal: Success Criteria:
We are learning to
measure the height of 1. I made the clinometer following instructions.
an object using tangent
ratio. 2. I measured the angle of elevation using the appropriate
technique.
3. I measured all distances needed for solving the problem
correctly.
Drew a
Discussed
Student Discussed Discussed diagram to
Data Other Notes
Name Angles Trig Ratios represent the
Collection
scenario
I – student initiated the discussion
E – student expanded on the topic discussed
O – student observed the discussion and seemed engaged, without necessarily adding to it