Primary Type: Lesson Plan
Status: Published
This is a resource from CPALMS (www.cpalms.org) where all educators go for bright ideas!
Resource ID#: 71775
The Trig Song
This lesson is a group project activity that is designed to reinforce the concepts of sine and cosine. The lesson begins with a spiral review of the
concepts, which will move into the group project - writing an original song to demonstrate understanding and application of sine and cosine ratios.
Subject(s): Mathematics
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11
Intended Audience: Educators
Suggested Technology: Computers for Students,
Internet Connection, Scientific Calculator
Instructional Time: 5 Hour(s)
Resource supports reading in content area: Yes
Freely Available: Yes
Keywords: trigonometry, sine, cosine, right triangles
Resource Collection: FCR-STEMLearn Geometry
ATTACHMENTS
The Trig Song Project.docx
Trigonometry Quiz.docx
Trigonometry Review worksheet.docx
LESSON CONTENT
Lesson Plan Template: General Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives: What should students know and be able to do as a result of this lesson?
Students will be able to recognize the similarities and differences between the sine and cosine.
Students will be able to appropriately apply the concepts of sine and cosine in order to solve right triangle problems.
Prior Knowledge: What prior knowledge should students have for this lesson?
Understand the definition of right triangles.
Know how to solve basic algebraic equations.
Understand proportions.
Understand measuring angles in degrees.
Know the general definitions of the following words: sine, cosine, opposite, adjacent, hypotenuse, side, angle, and trigonometry.
Guiding Questions: What are the guiding questions for this lesson?
How are right triangle relationships useful in solving real-world problems?
What is the purpose of trigonometry?
What are sine and cosine?
How do we know when to apply sine and cosine?
How do we know which angle to use?
How are trigonometric ratios used to solve real-world problems?
Teaching Phase: How will the teacher present the concept or skill to students?
The teacher will begin the lesson by conducting a spiral review, which is a concept used to evaluate the understanding of necessary skills, of the concepts of sine and
cosine in trigonometry, using the Right Triangles and Trigonometry Review activity. Through this re-teach activity, the teacher will review pertinent definitions, and
page 1 of 3 explore the relationship between sine and cosine in solving right triangle problems.
The teacher will start the review by giving the students 5-10 minutes to write down the definitions, in their own words, of the six vocabulary words provided in part 1
of the worksheet. The teacher will then initiate a brief discussion about the terms by having selected students read their definitions, and correcting any
misconceptions.
The teacher will then proceed to part 2 of the worksheet, and demonstrate how to find the sine and cosine of predetermined angles of right triangles. During this
portion of the review, the teacher will review the trigonometric ratios of sine and cosine. It is suggested that the teacher complete the first two examples with the
students, and have the students complete the last two on their own, in order to give the teacher an opportunity to check for understanding.
Finally, the teacher will continue to part 3 of the worksheet, and discuss and demonstrate how to set up and solve right triangle problems. Again, it is suggested that
the teacher model solving the first two examples, and allow the students to complete the third and fourth example on their own. Because problem 5 is slightly more
complex, it is suggested that this problem be completed as a whole class.
After concluding the review, the teacher will distribute the directions for the project (The Trig Song). The teacher will then read through the directions with the class,
and explain all aspects of the project, making sure to emphasize all of the required components. At this point, the teacher may also show one of the videos below in
order to give the students an example of a finished song/video. The teacher will conclude the introduction of the lesson by answering any questions, and allowing the
students to choose (or be placed) in their groups.
"Gettin' Triggy Wit It"
"The Trigonometry Song"
Guided Practice: What activities or exercises will the students complete with teacher guidance?
While the students are working on the review sheet practice problems, the teacher will circulate around the classroom and assist students in completing the questions.
After the groups are formed, the teacher will allow the students to use the remaining time in the class period to begin forming their overall ideas, and will use the
guiding questions to help the students narrow their focus, and pinpoint their specific talking points.
Independent Practice: What activities or exercises will students complete to reinforce the concepts and skills developed in the
lesson?
This project can be done as a shorter in-class assignment, or a longer, more in-depth out of class assignment.
If this project is to be completed in class, the teacher will allow the students to work in their groups throughout the class period for a recommended 3-4 days,
answering questions, monitoring progress, and assisting students as needed.
If this project is to be completed out of class, the teacher will periodically check in with students about the progress of their assignment over a recommended 2 week
time frame.
Closure: How will the teacher assist students in organizing the knowledge gained in the lesson?
At the end of this activity, the teacher will have each group submit their typed song lyrics and accompanying poster. The teacher will then have each group present
their song, and conduct a whole class discussion on the content of each song, including the concepts of sine and cosine and how to apply these concepts when solving
right triangle problems. The teacher will also clear up any final misconceptions during this time.
Summative Assessment
The teacher will determine if the students have reached the learning targets by assessing them through administration of the Trigonometry Quiz (attached).
Formative Assessment
The teacher will gather information about student understanding throughout the lesson through questioning and observations while circulating around the room.
Students should not begin working on creating the song until they demonstrate an understanding of the mathematics by successful completion of the review activities.
Feedback to Students
Students will receive verbal feedback about their project throughout the lesson while the teacher is circulating around the room. Feedback should include specific
notes about the mathematical concepts.
ACCOMMODATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Accommodations:
Students with special needs should receive:
Extended time on assignments and quiz, as necessary.
Preferential grouping.
Extensions:
This lesson only addresses the trigonometric ratios of sine and cosine. A possible extension of this lesson would be to discuss and demonstrate how the tangent ratio
is related to sine and cosine.
Suggested Technology: Computers for Students, Internet Connection, Scientific Calculator
Special Materials Needed:
Students will need to provide material to create posters and possibly audio equipment for background music.
Additional Information/Instructions
page 2 of 3 By Author/Submitter
This lesson supports the following Standards for Mathematical Practice:
MAFS.K12.MP.1.1 - Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
MAFS.K12.MP.6.1 - Attend to precision
The 5 hour estimated time frame is only applicable if the teacher chooses to do this lesson as an in-class activity, and it includes the spiral review at the beginning of the
lesson, the project group work, and the presentations. As an in-class activity, the entire process should take approximately five or six 50-minute class periods.
SOURCE AND ACCESS INFORMATION
Contributed by: Detra Long
Name of Author/Source: Detra Long
District/Organization of Contributor(s): Alachua
Is this Resource freely Available? Yes
Access Privileges: Public
License: CPALMS License - no distribution - non commercial
Related Standards
Name
MAFS.912.G-SRT.3.8:
Description
Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles in applied problems. ★
page 3 of 3