Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

Wild Angles: Acute, and Obtuse, and Right, Oh My!

Geometry and Measurement

Lindsey Link | Published: May 23rd, 2024 by Oklahoma Young Scholars/Javits

  • Grade Level Grade Level 3rd, 4th, 5th
  • Subject Subject Mathematics
  • Course Course Elementary Mathematics, Geometry
  • Time Frame Time Frame 1-2 class period(s)
  • Duration More 90 minutes

Summary

During this lesson, students will explore and learn about different types of angles. They will practice using a protractor to measure angles and classify angles based on their measurements.

Essential Question(s)

How does geometry help us describe objects all around us?

Snapshot

Engage

Students participate in a Card Sort game to classify angle types.

Explore

Students collaborate on a Strategy Harvest activity to solve a multiple-step word problem.

Explain

Students complete STAR notes to define and illustrate several angle-related terms, and then revisit the Card Sort.

Extend

Students identify and label the different angles that are formed by the letters in their names.

Evaluate

Students select an activity to complete from a choice board.

Materials

  • Lesson Slides (attached)

  • Card Sort cards (attached; one set per pair of students)

  • Envelopes or paper clips

  • STAR Notes handouts (attached; one per student)

  • Math notebooks (optional)

  • Pencils

  • Paper

  • Protractors

  • Dried spaghetti noodles

  • Mini marshmallows

  • Student tablets with Internet access

Engage

Display slide 2. Organize students into pairs, and pass out a set of Card Sort cards to each pair. Give students 10-15 minutes to sort the words, definitions, and examples of different angles.

Display slide 3. Have students move around the room to view how their classmates sorted their cards, looking for any differences.

After students have returned to their seats, have them share out what they noticed about how their classmates sorted the cards. Is there anything they noticed that was different? Similar?

Display slide 4, and share the Essential Question with students: How does geometry help us describe objects all around us?

Display slide 5, and share the learning objectives. By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Classify and sort shapes based on their angle measurements.

  • Measure the size of angles in various objects.

Explore

Display slide 6, and inform students that they are going to explore different ways to solve a problem using a Strategy Harvest. Display slide 7, 8, or 9 to share one of the three multiple-step word problem options described below.

Provide students with time to think about the problem on their own before they begin the Strategy Harvest. Then have them briefly discuss their problem-solving strategies with a series of different partners.

Come back together as a class and have volunteers share out how they would solve the problem. As they are sharing, solve the problem based on their directions. Continue solving until students arrive at the correct answer. Refer to the Exploration Story Problems attachment for notes about various correct and incorrect student responses.

Explain

Display slide 10. Pass out copies of the STAR Notes handout, or have students set up a new page in their math notebook. The page should contain three columns, labeled "terms," "definitions," and "examples." In the "terms" column, students should list the following terms, allowing sufficient space for notes after each one: "right angle," "acute angle," "obtuse angle," "straight angle," and "protractor."

Inform students that they will now be watching a music video that contains some important information about angles. Prepare students by telling them that you are going to play the video three times. The first time, they will listen for key information. The second time, they will begin filling in the information on their STAR Notes handout. The third time, they will listen for enjoyment.

Display slide 11 and show the video for the first time, asking students to put down their pencils and listen closely.

Tell students that as they watch for the second time they should raise their hands when they hear information related to one of the terms from their list. Pause the video each time and ask students to share what they heard. Give the class a minute or two to add this information to their notes before resuming the video.

As a class, review your notes. Students should have definitions similar to the following:

  • Right Angle - When an angle measures 90 degrees (slide 12)

  • Acute Angle - Measures between 0 and 90 degrees (slide 13)

  • Obtuse Angle - Measures between 90 and 180 degrees (slide 14)

  • Straight Angle - An angle that is exactly 180 degrees, as in a straight line (slide 15)

  • Protractor - Tool used to measure the degrees of the angle (slide 16)

Have students check their notes and add an image and an example for each term.

Watch the video for a third time so students can just watch and enjoy it. Students can also use this time to fill in any missing information or add to their images or examples.

Display slide 17. Tell students to keep their notes nearby to refer to as they complete the upcoming activities.

Extend

Display slide 18. Students will now use their own names to practice using a protractor, measuring angles, and labeling angles. Make sure each student has a blank sheet of paper and a protractor. Ask students to write their names in large capital letters on the paper. Then, students should use their protractors to measure each angle that is formed by the letters. Have students label the angle measurement and the angle type.

Sample student name with angle measurements and types labeled

When students finish work on their names, have them revisit the Card Sort activity to test their knowledge of angles.

Evaluate

Display slide 19. Tell students that they'll be picking their own evaluation activity from a Choice Board. Display slide 20 and share a brief summary of each choice:

  • Spaghetti Geometry: Make a model of each type of angle using spaghetti noodles and marshmallows. Label each angle with its measurement and type.

  • Angles of a Home: Draw a house that includes each angle type. Provide a separate answer sheet that has each angle labeled with its measurement and type.

  • Chant It, Sing It, Rap It: Write a song that you will perform for the class that describes each of the different angles and their measurements.

  • Scavenger Hunt: Search for each type of angle in the classroom. With your tablet, take a photo and create a presentation. In the presentation, label each angle's measurement and type.

  • Create-A-Test: For each type of angle, write a test question. It can be fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice, matching, etc. Create a separate answer sheet.

Provide students time to complete their individual projects, and then give them an opportunity to share their work with the class.

Resources