Graphing Sine and Cosine with the Unit Circle
Free to teach as-is — the teacher guide, student handout, and slides are included.
Free — we'll email you an access link. Google Docs format.
Objective
I can construct the graphs of y = sin(θ) and y = cos(θ) by transferring coordinates from the unit circle.
Part 1 of 3
Warm-up video
Unknown Channel · 5:00
We don't generate video — this one is by Unknown Channel on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.
Part 2 of 3
Practice
2 questions
Explain how the sine and cosine values change as you move counter-clockwise around the unit circle, starting from 0 radians. Specifically, describe the values at 0, π/2, π, and 3π/2 radians.
Imagine unwrapping the unit circle and laying it flat to create the x-axis of a graph. If the y-axis represents the sine value, sketch the resulting graph from 0 to 2π. Explain how the key points on the unit circle (0, π/2, π, 3π/2, 2π) correspond to the maximum, minimum, and zero values on the sine graph.
Part 3 of 3
Exit ticket
Quick comprehension check
“On the unit circle, what is the y-coordinate at θ = π/2? How does this value relate to the graph of y = sin(θ)? On the unit circle, what is the x-coordinate at θ = π? How does this value relate to the graph of y = cos(θ)?”
Sample answer included in the free materials
Get the materials
Teacher guide, student handout, and slides — free, in Google Docs format
Teacher Guide
Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities
Student Handout
Printable worksheet
Slides
Ready to present
We'll ask for your email to send your access link — nothing else.
Teaching a group at a different level?
Where are your students right now? We'll rebuild this lesson to match — including the teacher guide, student handout, and slides, saved to your Google Drive.
Adapt This Lesson

