Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Additional Mathematics
Lesson Topic: Know and use position vectors and unit vectors, including forming a unit vector parallel to a given vector
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe position vectors and how they represent points relative to the origin.
  • Calculate the magnitude of a vector in component form.
  • Derive a unit vector parallel to any non‑zero vector.
  • Apply the unit‑vector process to solve textbook style problems.
  • Identify and correct common errors when normalising vectors.
Materials Needed:
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Projector or interactive display
  • Printed worksheet with practice questions
  • Graph paper and rulers
  • Calculator (or calculator app)
  • Set of vector component cards (optional)
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick visual of a point on a grid and ask students how to describe its location using a vector. Review the meaning of i‑ and j‑unit vectors from previous lessons. Explain that by the end of the session they will be able to produce a unit vector that points in the same direction as any given vector.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – Students plot points A(2,‑1) and B(5,3) on graph paper and write the vector AB in i, j form.
  2. Direct instruction (10') – Teacher derives the magnitude formula and unit‑vector formula, demonstrating with the AB example.
  3. Guided practice (12') – Whole class works through the worked example together, checking each step on the board.
  4. Independent practice (15') – Students complete the four practice questions on the worksheet while the teacher circulates.
  5. Peer review (8') – Pairs exchange answers and use the common‑mistakes list to spot errors.
  6. Quick check (5') – Exit ticket: write the unit vector for a given vector (e.g., 6i‑8j).
Conclusion:
We revisited how to express vectors, find their lengths and normalise them to unit vectors. Students demonstrated understanding through the exit ticket and peer‑review activity. For homework, assign two additional vectors to normalise and a short reflection on the common mistakes.