Unit Plan for Trig Functions and Solving Triangles

1. Understanding Trigonometric
Functions and Solving
Triangles
CARLEY BOSWELL
CI350-102

2. Analyzing the Learners
General Characteristics:
oThe students for whom this lesson is intended are high school students who are taking
geometry. The students are around the age of 14 and 15. There are 11 girls and 14 boys in the
class and a variety of races among them; 60% white, 25% African-American, and 15% Hispanic.
Learning Styles:
oAll students learn differently so I need to incorporate visual, auditory, and hands on types of
learning.
Specific Entry Competencies:
oBefore teaching the students, I need to find out what they know and what they do not know
about trigonometric functions of right triangles. I do not want to assume that they know more
or less on the subject. I will do this by testing them the week before on a small pop quiz.

3. Main Objective
oGiven a triangle’s side and/or degree measurements, the students will be able to explain and
demonstrate how to find the values of trigonometric functions and how they can be used to
solve right and non right triangles after note-taking, watching videos, and working in groups to
complete practice problems and make up their own life applicable practice problems, by the end
of the week with 80% of accuracy.

4. Day-By-Day Breakdown
Day 1: Define basic trigonometric functions using SOH-CAH-TOA (sinA = opposite/hypotenuse,
cosA = adjacent/hypotenuse, tanA = opposite/adjacent) and how to use a calculator to find
these.
Day 2: Define cosecant, secant, and cotangent (cscA = hypotenuse/opposite, secA =
hypotenuse/adjacent, cotA = adjacent/hypotenuse) and how to use a calculator to find these.
Day 3: Solving right triangles given one angle and two sides or given two sides.
Day 4: Inverse trigonometric functions (arcsine, arccosine, and arctangent).
Day 5: Solving non-right triangles using Law of Sines and Law of Cosines.

5. Use of Technology
oEvery student will need a calculator that will allow them to find sine, cosine, and tangent of a
right triangle.
oA smart board will be helpful to the students, as well as myself, when doing practice problems
on the board and during note taking.
oA computer to be able to watch videos.

6. Works Cited
oKerkenbush, D. (n.d.). Lesson Plan : Trigonometric Functions. In Teachnology. Retrieved
September 22, 2014, from http://www.teach-nology.
com/lessons/lsn_pln_view_lessons.php?action=view&cat_id=5&lsn_id=29998
oSAT Math Level 2. (n.d.). In Sparknotes. Retrieved September 23, 2014, from
http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/sat2/math2c/chapter9section1.rhtml