maths

so a couple days ago, i had my algebra II classes do a trig project. they were divided into teams, then they had 3 tasks to complete. first, they had to find the diagonal of the classroom (which can actually be done without trig.) then, they had to go out to the soccer field and measure from one of its corners to something else not in the same plane (like to the top of a tree, for example). then they had to find the angle of elevation of that object. third, they had to find the angle of elevation of the sun (using someone's height and shadow), and then use that to measure the height of something they could not measure directly (the school building, perhaps). then, they could choose to write a 1 page summary of the process and their findings for some extra credit points. i just graded the papers. they are great.


joshua's ends with "I am grateful to have had this experience as it has helped me to further my love of trigonometry which I admire dearly."


carrie's is written in old english style as the quest of three servants trying to please their "benevolent dictator". her description of walking to the soccer field to measure things reads, "Without delay, we, her loyal citizens, set out on this second quest. We traveled the stony paths and the grassy paths in which lay vipers of countless number, and around the despised enemy's fortress which appeared to be unoccupied, but only because the enemy possesses the magic of the Coveted Imaginary Numbers, which is also why the fortress appears to have no walls."

who says math teachers shouldn't assign papers? this has been the highlight of my day.