Properties of Shape - Measure with a Protractor - Planning

The Year 6 curriculum for the summer term includes a unit on Properties of Shape, where students learn to measure angles with a protractor. The national curriculum objectives for this unit are multifaceted; students are expected to recognise angles in various configurations, such as at a point, on a straight line, or when they are vertically opposite. They also learn to draw 2-D shapes using specific dimensions and angles, and to compare and classify geometric shapes based on their properties and sizes. A key part of the unit involves finding unknown angles in triangles, quadrilaterals, and regular polygons. The vocabulary for this unit includes terms such as angle, measuring angles, right angle, obtuse, acute, reflex, and protractor, as well as concepts related to turns and lines, such as whole, quarter, half, and three-quarter turns, straight line, and vertically opposite angles.

During the lesson on measuring with a protractor, students revisit skills from Year 5 and engage in activities to deepen their understanding. They discuss what an angle is and the different types of angles, using a protractor to measure and identify acute, obtuse, reflex, and right angles. The lesson includes estimating and measuring angles in a quadrilateral and identifying potential errors when using a protractor. Group work and independent activities are designed to encourage reasoning and problem-solving. The lesson aims to address common misconceptions, such as correctly aligning the protractor and reading the scale accurately. Students are encouraged to reflect on what they've learned, the skills they've used, and any challenges they faced. Differentiated tasks cater to students working towards fluency, those at the expected level, and those working at greater depth, with activities ranging from measuring simple angles to estimating and measuring more complex angles.