Math lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 45 minutes
Choose the congruence test (SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, RHS)
Geometry
CCSS HSG.CO.B.8CCSS HSG.SRT.B.5England: GCSE Foundation GeometryEngland: GCSE Higher Geometry
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Choose the congruence test (SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, RHS).
- 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: Congruent triangles
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 · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Congruent triangles). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Two triangles are known to be congruent because two sides and the angle between them are equal. Which condition is this? (ASA / RHS (HL) / SAS / SSS) → SASPrompt: S stands for side, A for angle, R for right angle and H for hypotenuse.
- Two triangles have all three angles equal (AAA). Must they be congruent? (Yes / No) → NoPrompt: Could you draw two different triangles that both fit the description?
- Two triangles are known to be congruent because both have a right angle, and the hypotenuses and one other side are equal. Which condition is this? (RHS (HL) / SSS / ASA / SAS) → RHS (HL)Prompt: S stands for side, A for angle, R for right angle and H for hypotenuse.
Hook · 5 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: Choose the congruence test (SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS, RHS). Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Triangles ABC and DEF have: ∠A = ∠D, AB = DE, ∠B = ∠E. Which test proves they are congruent?
- Step 1: ASA
- Answer: ASA
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Triangles ABC and DEF have: ∠A = ∠D, ∠B = ∠E, BC = EF. Which test proves they are congruent? (AAS / ASA / RHS (hypotenuse–leg) / SSS) → AASPrompt: Count the sides (S) and angles (A) given, and notice their order.
- Triangles KLM and STU have ∠K = ∠S and ∠L = ∠T. Which extra fact would prove them congruent by ASA? (KL = ST / LM = TU / MK = US / ∠M = ∠U) → KL = STPrompt: Write the letters of the test in order around the triangle.
You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Triangles KLM and STU have ∠K = ∠S and ∠L = ∠T. Which extra fact would prove them congruent by ASA? (LM = TU / ∠M = ∠U / MK = US / KL = ST) → KL = STPrompt: Write the letters of the test in order around the triangle.
- Triangles ABC and DEF have: AB = DE, ∠B = ∠E, BC = EF. Which test proves they are congruent? (AAS / SAS / RHS (hypotenuse–leg) / SSS) → SASPrompt: Count the sides (S) and angles (A) given, and notice their order.
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: Congruent triangles.
- 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