In today’s session with Jack, a Year 9 student, Cameron skilfully introduced the topic of trigonometry, focusing on the foundational concepts of sine, cosine, and tangent. Cameron’s ability to simplify complex mathematical ideas into digestible explanations was particularly effective, allowing Jack to grasp the material with confidence.
One of Cameron’s strengths during the session was his use of clear and structured teaching methods. He began by introducing the basic definitions of sine, cosine, and tangent using the mnemonic SOH-CAH-TOA. Cameron reinforced this by drawing a right-angled triangle and labelling its sides to demonstrate the relationships between the angles and side lengths. This visual approach helped Jack understand how trigonometric ratios are calculated and where they are applied in real-world contexts.
Cameron excelled in fostering Jack’s engagement by asking targeted questions, such as “What side is opposite the angle?” and “Which ratio would you use here?” These questions encouraged Jack to actively think through the steps, rather than passively following instructions. Cameron also provided immediate feedback, ensuring Jack corrected any misconceptions on the spot. For instance, when Jack initially struggled to determine the correct angle to use in a problem, Cameron guided him with a hint rather than directly providing the answer, promoting problem-solving skills.
From this session, I learned the importance of using incremental challenges to build student confidence. Cameron started with straightforward examples, like finding a missing side, and gradually introduced more complex problems involving angle calculations and word problems. This progression kept Jack motivated and reduced frustration.
Another highlight was Cameron’s use of real-life applications to keep the material relevant. He explained how trigonometry is used in fields like engineering and architecture, sparking Jack’s interest and showing the practical value of what he was learning.
Overall, Cameron’s combination of structured teaching, engaging questioning, and real-world connections made this session highly effective. It demonstrated how a tailored approach can significantly improve a student’s understanding and enthusiasm for mathematics.
Thank you Cameron and Jack!
Pasquale Simone Mendoza
