Properties of Shape - Measure with a Protractor (1) - Presentation

In today's lesson on the properties of shapes, students will delve into the practical skill of measuring angles using a protractor. The focus is specifically on acute angles, which are angles less than 90 degrees. The lesson begins with a discussion to clarify what an acute angle is and how it can be identified. Students then engage in a series of activities designed to develop their fluency and reasoning when working with angles. The first activity challenges students to place a set of angles in order based on their size and to articulate the reasoning behind their decisions. This task not only reinforces their understanding of angle sizes but also encourages them to communicate their mathematical thinking clearly.

Subsequent activities require students to read angles directly from the protractor and compare their features, such as noting which angles are the same or different and why. They are also tasked with estimating the size of angles before measuring them to the nearest degree, providing an opportunity to assess the accuracy of their estimations. Reasoning skills are further developed as students consider different statements about the correct use of a protractor, debating which approaches are valid. Independent work includes measuring and ordering angles, reading angles from a protractor, and estimating and measuring angles. Throughout the lesson, students are encouraged to discuss their methods and understanding, such as how to identify acute angles and the potential mistakes one might make when measuring them, ensuring that they learn both the practical and analytical aspects of working with protractors.