Activities Summary

In this activity, students will:

• Measure items in the school and record answers using trigonometry
• Explore careers that focus on Numeracy skills

Prior Knowledge

• Essential Skills including all subcategories
• Basic Trigonometric Ratios
• Pythagorean Theorem
• Angle of inclination, angle of depression
• Solving problems involving one triangle to find a height, distance or angle
• Solving problems involving two triangles
• Measuring angles using a clinometer and transit (or transit-like device)

Teaching Planning Notes

• Review the assignment including prior learning required, assessment and
  evaluation tools
• Provide students with measuring tapes at least 10 m long and clinometers, transits or other devices that allow for measuring angles
• Set up 4 stations with required measurement tools and worksheets
• Provide a step ladder (preferably longer than 6 ft.) in the classroom
• Provide an extension ladder in the classroom, leaning it against the wall, marking the location on the floor where the feet should sit
• Label step ladder and extension ladder for students to avoid confusion
• To link this to the workplace effectively, the teacher should arrange for a surveyor to come to the class to describe the requirements of his/her job, show the tools used on the job and to discuss how the surveyor would solve the problems presented. If possible, the surveyor could demonstrate the calculation of one of the activities and the students could compare their results with the professional.

Note 1: Teachers may wish to link this activity more closely with other technical sectors that use surveying equipment (i.e. Horticulture and Landscape Design, Construction, etc.). Problems may easily be changed to reflect applications in these areas.

Assessment and Evaluation of Student Achievement

Activities and Evaluation Materials