LESSON PLAN

Enlargement to Trigonometry
Lesson no: 2 Time needed: 1 hour
Learning objectives and outcomes
At the end of this lesson all pupils must:
 know that similar shapes have corresponding sides in the same ratio
 know that similar triangles have equal corresponding angles
 work out ratios of corresponding sides
 work out unknown lengths on simple examples – where the triangles are drawn the same way
round

Most pupils should:

 work out unknown lengths on examples where one triangle has to be transformed

Some pupils could:

 work out unknown lengths on examples where one triangle is inside another

Outline of lesson
Starter activity:
L2.1 Similar triangles Questions: students should work on these three questions in pairs as they
enter the room. Most should be able to work out 1 and 2 with some students (depending on the ability
of the group) also doing question 3.

Lesson content and activities:

L2.2 Similar triangles PPT: The power point goes through the three starter questions but shows
students how to use corresponding sides (and their ratios) rather than using the scale factor,
encourage students to use this method as it leads into using trigonometric ratios.
Similar Triangles Questions: students will now need some questions to consolidate their learning and
practice the methods shown. Most GCSE text books will have adequate questions to do this and most
split the questions into easy ones where the triangles are drawn the same way round, then ones that
need rotating and then triangles within triangles – guide students to spend time on questions
appropriate to their ability. With some groups the worksheet set as homework below (L2.3 Similar
Triangles) may be appropriate to do here instead.
Plenary:
L2.4 Similar Triangles Exam Question: Students should do this question individually and then write
down their answer for x in a piece of paper (just their answer – no working or name). Collect the
answers in and make two piles – correct and incorrect. In this way you and the class can see whether
the learning objectives have been met. (You might want to use a more challenging question for some
groups)
Extension activities for quick workers:
Homework/Independent study:
L2.3 Similar Triangles worksheet

Equipment needed:
Resources used:
L2.1 Similar triangles Questions
L2.2 Similar triangles PPT:
L2.3 Similar Triangles worksheet
L2.4 Similar Triangles Exam Question
Personal notes: