Madison County High School Trig Murder Mystery, 90 Minutes

Loryn Leigh Lemberg & Phillip Clontz Grade: 10-12

Learning Objectives
Determine missing information in an application-based situation using properties of right triangles, including trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean theorem

Content Objectives
Students should be able to: 1. Apply concepts of trigonometry to real world situations 2. Create real world examples using trig 3. Draw conclusions based on information

Materials and Procedures

Materials 1. Video (Introduction) 2. Video (End) 3. Suspect Sheets 4. Pieces of Evidence Sheets 5. Tape Measure 6. Duct Tape 7. String 8. Yard Stick 9. Protractors Procedures 1. Show the video (Introduction). This video will explain the overall problem, the murder mystery. (90 Minutes Left) 2. Review a. SOH-CAH-TOA b. Four Example Problems i. 3 solving for angles using Sine, Cosine, Tangent ii. 1 Solving for a side using Tangent 3. Each station will be a different piece of evidence. Explain to the students they will be using trig to solve for various sides of triangles (Pieces of evidence), and that the answers to these problems will help them eliminate possible suspects from their suspects sheets, which you will hand out later. 4. Explain the suspect sheet a. It will list various information about the suspects b. Most of the information will be quantitative info i. How much they weigh ii. How far they can jump iii. How tall they are 5. Explain the pieces of evidence sheet a. Each sheet will explain the scenario b. Each sheet will include measurement of each problem 6. Split students into three heterogeneous groups 7. Head outside (70 Minutes Left) 8. Hand out suspect sheets and pieces of evidence sheet (65 Minutes Left) 9. Each group will have around 10 minutes at each "piece of evidence"

10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

a. Piece 1 i. How tall can the murderer be b. Piece 2 i. How far can the murder jump c. Piece 3 i. How short can the murderer be Return to classroom (25 Minutes Left) Each group will decide based on the evidence the found, who the murderer is (20 Minutes Left) The whole class will get together to discuss who they think it is as a whole (15 Minutes Left) Show the video (End) (10 Minutes Left) Assign Homework (6 Minutes Left)

Hook/Engagement
Hook: The introduction video both introduced the lesson and the problem while creating a motivation to solve the problem. Engagement: We will ask the students to figure out who the murderer could be, creating a mystery for the students to solve. In addition, the students will be physically solving real world application problems outside.

Lesson Implication
1. Review and Present Problem: a. The problem will be presented during the introduction video. i. Each sub-problem will be presented on the evidence sheet. ii. Each problem is well-defined with a clear answer. b. A review of trig functions will follow the introduction video 2. Devise Strategy: a. The students will be asked to create a strategy to solve each of the Pieces of Evidence problems using Trig. 3. Implement Strategy: a. The students will use the strategies they devised to solve each problem. If the strategy does not work the students will reflect and create a new strategy with scaffolding from the teachers. 4. Discussion and Evaluation: a. The class discuss among themselves who murdered the victim. b. The solution to the problem is presented during the end video.

Assessment
1. Observe the groups as they perform the various real-world problems (1) a. Observe if all students are participating b. Observe if all students understand the problem 2. Observe the groups as they come to conclusion on the murder (3) a. Observe if all students are participating b. Observe if all students understand the problem 3. Assign homework/project (2) a. Create their own real world problem that using trig to be solved b. Students should include the solution to the problem and how to solve it