Geometry and Trigonometry Lesson Plan

Lesson Title: Sine Law Grade/Program: Grade 11 College MBF3C

Goals(s) for a Specific Lesson
Overall Expectations
·  Solve problems involving trigonometry in acute triangles using the sine law and the cosine law, including problems arising from real-world applications.
Specific expectations
·  Describe conditions that guide when it is appropriate to use the sine law or the cosine law, and use these laws to calculate sides and angles in acute triangles.
·  Solve problems that arise from real-world applications involving metric and imperial measurements and that require the use of the sine law or the cosine law in acute triangles.
Minds On: 15mins
Where do we see sine law being used in real-world applications?
·  Start by reviewing a little about similar triangles and the trigonometry ratios.
·  Put students into groups by handing out different sine law questions. The students that have the same answers will find other students with the same answer to form a group.
·  Explain to the class that in real life nothing is perfect, meaning that most likely we would not be dealing with right angle triangles like in grade 10 but instead we’ll need to learn better tools for different triangles.
·  Show the class different examples of where sine law will be used in real-life such as playing baseball, land surveying, using a compass and figuring the direction you want to travel.
Action! 30mins
What are some of the challenges and limitations of sine law?
·  Ask the students to create a mind map about what they learned in grade 10 about similar triangles, Pythagorean Theorem and the trigonometry ratios.
·  Each group will create a sine law application question on chart paper and then give it to another group to answer.
·  The groups will then solve the questions and post their work in front of the class, and asked to explain their findings.
·  The groups will then discuss some of the strategies they used when creating their questions and asked about the limitations of sine law.
·  Allow the groups to also pose questions or comments to another group so that a discussion can be formulated.
Consolidate/Debrief: 15mins
What information needs to be known before sine law can be applied?
·  Go over all the different cases of when sine law can be used. (i.e. AAS or SAA, SSA or ASS)
·  Using a ticket out the door, ask the students what they learned today, what they’re still confused about, describe what information is required before you can use sine law and if there are any further questions.

By: Becky, David Ng and Terrance