Overview of the Lesson / Lesson Activities / Students' Ways of Thinking/ Assessment

1. Angle measurement tool

Students use a cardboard inclinometer to determine the angle between the top of the flagpole (or other object) and their line of sight. Directions for constructing the inclinometer are appended. It is helpful to involve students in the construction of this instrument, so that they have a better idea of its function and a good sense of its precision (or lack thereof).

2. Distance measurement

To measure the distance between the base of the flagpole and the student, a tape measure is laid out on the ground. An option to use body measurement via pacing is included, but this may be omitted. (If measuring by paces is included, pace measure vs. tape measure can be later contrasted for their effects on distribution.)