Properties of Shape - Compare Angles - Planning

In a Year 4 mathematics lesson on the properties of shape, students are encouraged to explore and compare different types of angles in a variety of practical contexts. The lesson begins with a starter activity that prompts students to find and sort right angles in everyday classroom objects, reinforcing their understanding of what constitutes a right angle. As the lesson progresses, the children are introduced to new terminology such as 'acute' and 'obtuse' to describe angles smaller or larger than a right angle, respectively. They engage in hands-on activities using sorting hoops, 2D shapes, mini clocks, and right angle detectors to identify and categorize angles. The practical element is further enhanced by group work, where students gather items and sort them based on the type of angle they represent, using their right angle detectors to assist in their reasoning.

Throughout the lesson, the children are encouraged to use specific vocabulary and reasoning to articulate their understanding, with stem sentences like "It must be obtuse because..." to explain their thought process. They also have the opportunity to create their own acute and obtuse angles using matchsticks or coloured sticks, and to challenge their peers to identify the type of angle presented. Key questions prompt the students to think about angles in different scenarios, such as the hands on a clock or within various shapes. Common misconceptions are addressed, such as the belief that all four-sided shapes have four right angles or that triangles cannot have right angles. The lesson concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' activity, where students consider what they've learned, the skills they've used, and what they found challenging. Differentiation is evident in the lesson, with varying levels of support and challenge provided to cater to students working towards, at, or above the expected level of understanding.