Math lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 30 minutes
Write the vector between two points
Geometry
CCSS HSN.VM.A.2England: GCSE Higher Geometry
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Write the vector between two points.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Vectors
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Rulers and protractors, Squared or dotted paper, Shape cut-outs, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Vectors). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- a = (−5, 6) and b = (1, −3). Find 2a + b. Type it like (2, −1). → (−9, 9)Prompt: Multiply each component by the scalar.
- Find the magnitude of the vector (9, 12). → 15Prompt: Magnitude = √(x² + y²).
- a = (1, −1) and b = (−5, −1). Find 3a − b. Type it like (2, −1). → (8, −2)Prompt: Multiply each component by the scalar.
Hook · 3 min
- Show a photo of a building, a tile pattern or a road sign and ask what shapes and angles students can spot.
- Share the objective: Write the vector between two points. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: P is (5, −2) and the vector PQ is (−1, 5). Find the coordinates of Q. Type them like (2, −1).
- Step 1: (4, 3)
- Answer: (4, 3)
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- P is (0, −1) and the vector PQ is (−1, 1). Find the coordinates of Q. Type them like (2, −1). → (−1, 0)Prompt: Start at P and move by the vector.
- P is (4, 1) and the vector PQ is (−1, −5). Find the coordinates of Q. Type them like (2, −1). → (3, −4)Prompt: Start at P and move by the vector.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- P is (5, 2) and the vector PQ is (−1, 6). Find the coordinates of Q. Type them like (2, −1). → (4, 8)Prompt: Start at P and move by the vector.
- P is (1, −3) and the vector PQ is (1, 5). Find the coordinates of Q. Type them like (2, −1). → (2, 2)Prompt: Start at P and move by the vector.
Watch out for
- Thinking a square turned on its corner is no longer a square.
- Reading the wrong scale on a protractor.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Vectors.
- Use concrete materials: rulers and protractors.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-10.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder