Suggest that students calculate or check the layout of the lines on a basketball court or soccer field in terms of right angles. Have students use trigonometry to measure the heights of several trees to determine the tallest totem pole they could make. Illustrate triangles, giving two sides and the contained angle, and ask students to calculate the areas. Discuss as a class how students generalize the formula used. Have students design spreadsheets or HyperCard stacks to solve right-triangle problems.
Assessment focusses on all stages of the process.
As students use trigonometric ratios to solve right triangles, look for patterns of errors that indicate a need for additional instruction. As students work through the organizer, have them complete summary sheets to organize the information they are learning. See Appendix B for a complete list. It is expected that existing classroom and school materials will be used to support specific curriculum outcomes until resources with a higher level of curriculum match are identified.