Tamalpais Union High School District
Larkspur, California 

Course of Study
Trigonometry

I. INTRODUCTION

This one semester course is designed for students who have completed Advanced Algebra 1-2, but who might have difficulty with Pre-Calculus.  The course is not intended for students who intend to major in mathematics in college. This course is also part of the SEA DISC Academy at Drake High School. This course will stress practical applications rather than the more formal development of trigonometry in the Pre-Calculus course.   Trigonometry uses the techniques that students have previously learned from the study of algebra and geometry.  

II. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
A.  General Goals and Education Task Force Outcomes 
The goals of Trigonometry fit under the four overarching curriculum standards from the N.C.T.M. Standards for Curriculum and Evaluation: communication, problem solving, reasoning, and making connections. The course goals are to have students:

 	Develop a depth of understanding and application of the content standards.
 	Become active learners.  Students investigate, conjecture, verify, apply, evaluate, and communicate mathematical ideas both collaboratively and individually in solving problems;
 	Become aware of their own thinking about problems and describe their efforts both orally and in writing.  Explain and justify their work;
 	Develop consistent study habits, organizational skills, and personal responsibility for learning;
 	Develop confidence, perseverance, and an appreciation of mathematics;
 	Use calculators and computers to develop conceptual understanding.

This course contributes to attainment of the following Education Task Force Student Learning Outcomes:

Outcome 1	Communicate articulately, effectively, and persuasively when speaking and writing.
Outcome 2	Students will read and analyze material in a variety of disciplines.
Outcome 3	Use technology as a tool to access information, analyze and solve problems and communicate ideas.
Outcome 5	Apply mathematical knowledge and skills to analyze and solve problems.

B.  Course Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of Statistics students will
 	Have an understanding of trigonometric relations;
 	Be able to apply trigonometric concepts in practical situations;
 	Strengthen geometric and algebraic skills.

The following state content standards for Trigonometry are course objectives  (Numbers refer to standards as listed in the Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools, Trigonometry Content Standards):

19.0 	Students are adept at using trigonometry in a variety of applications and word problems.

1.0 	Students understand the notion of angle and how to measure it, in both degrees and radians. They can                convert between degrees and radians.

2.0 	Students know the definition of sine and cosine as y- and x-coordinates of points on the unit circle and are                familiar with the graphs of the sine and cosine functions.
3.0 	Students know the identity cos2  (x) + sin 2 (x) = 1

3.1 	Students prove that this identity is equivalent to the Pythagorean theorem (i.e., students can prove this                identity by using the Pythagorean theorem and, conversely, they can prove the Pythagorean theorem as a                consequence of this identity).

3.2 	Students prove other trigonometric identities and simplify others by using the identity
              cos2 (x) + sin2 (x) = 1. 

4.0 	Students graph functions of the form f(t) = A sin (Bt + C) or f(t) = A cos (Bt + C) and interpret A, B, and C                in terms of amplitude, frequency, period, and phase shift.

5.0 	Students know the definitions of the tangent and cotangent functions and can graph them.

6.0 	Students know the definitions of the secant and cosecant functions and can graph them.

7.0 	Students know that the tangent of the angle that a line makes with the x-axis is equal to the slope of the line.

8.0 	Students know the definitions of the inverse trigonometric functions and can graph the functions.

9.0 	Students compute, by hand, the values of the trigonometric functions and the inverse trigonometric                functions at various standard points.

12.0 	Students use trigonometry to determine unknown sides or angles in right triangles.

13.0 	Students know the law of sines and the law of cosines and apply those laws to solve problems.

III  ASSESSMENT

A. Student Assessment

Rationale:
Assessment and instruction should be aligned and designed to promote mathematical thinking.  Teachers should move towards the use of engaging problem situations that involve students in investigating, conjecturing, verifying, applying, evaluating, and communicating with their assessments. 

Means:
Assessment should be made on the basis of a variety of means such as quizzes, tests, investigations, unit summaries, and projects. Informal assessments can involve daily work and writing samples. The use of student journals and portfolios to show growth and progress is encouraged. 

Students will be given the grading criteria, preferably in writing, at the beginning of the course. 

IV  METHODS/ MATERIALS

A.  Student Learning Activities
Instruction will be designed so students are actively involved in the learning experience.  Students will investigate, conjecture, verify, apply, evaluate, and communicate mathematical ideas both collaboratively and individually in solving problems.  They will be expected to explain and justify their work.  They will be given opportunities to summarize and reflect. 

B.  Materials 
The district-adopted text will be used as well as teacher generated materials.

C.  Technology
Use of calculators and computers as an integral part of instruction and student work will be infused into the course when appropriate. 

V GENERAL INFORMATION

A.  Prerequisites

Students enrolled in Trigonometry  must have successfully completed a Advanced Algebra1-2 or Intermediate Algebra 1-2.

B.  Requirements Met  

Successful completion of one semester of Trigonometry  satisfies 5 credits towards the 30 unit requirement in mathematics or elective credit required for graduation.  Trigonometry  is accepted as either a “c” or “f” admissions requirement for the  University of California and is approved as a college preparatory math course for the California State University system. 

Revised:  6-13-01 
Revised:  6-25-04