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Angles is a fun Maths topic to teach – but let me show you a way to take those measuring angles lessons to the next lesson!
I first discovered Angle Fans when I was teaching Year 5. They have since become an activity that I include every year in my upper primary Maths classes to expore angle properties and to practise measuring angles informally. I am excited to share the idea with you so that you and your students can hopefully join in on the fun with me!
Curriculum links
But before I explain to you how to make them, let me explain what outcomes this little activity can be ticking off (or at the very least contributing to the learning of!): Year 6 Maths
Identify the relationships between angles on a straight line, angles at a point and vertically opposite angles; use these to determine unknown angles, communicating reasoning (AC9M6M04) Year 5 Maths
Estimate, construct and measure angles in degrees, using appropriate tools including a protractor, and relate these measures to angle names (AC9M5M04) Year 4 Maths
estimate and compare angles using angle names including acute, obtuse, straight angle, reflex and revolution, and recognise their relationship to a right angle (AC9M4M04)
I probably wouldn’t try this activity with kiddos any younger than year 4. It is a little fiddly and may become a class management nightmare if you want them to complete it independently!
The Process
Step 1 Decorate and then cut out two squares of paper or choose two coloured squares of paper already to cut to size. *Decorate both sides so you see the decorations after folding.
Step 2 Concertina fold each square by folding over and under, over and under until you have two springs.
Step 3 Fold your springs in half so the open ends meet and glue the halves together. Let them dry for a few minutes.
Step 4 Now you are going to glue each of the squares together to create a larger fan. Let them dry for a few minutes.
Step 5 Get two popsticks and have an adult help you to cut one curved end off. Put some glue on a popstick and stick it in the first fold of one side of your fan.
Step 6 Do the same with the other popstick to the other side of the fan.
Step 7 Now you can pull out the fan by the popsticks to make some angles! Pull it gently right around to form a circle!
So what do you reckon? Will you try this activity next time you are teaching angles to your upper primary students?
I love integrating art and maths! It is an awesome way to bring a difficult or more boring Maths topic to life.
When you are teaching your students how to measure angles to your upper primary students, art is the most fun way to get your kiddos excited about the topic.
Today I thought I would share with you one of my most favourite Maths + Art ideas!! The result is truly amazing and it ticks HEAPS of teaching and learning goals at the same time.
Curriculum links
But before I share with you what the activity is, let me explain what outcomes this unit can be ticking off (or at the very least contributing to the learning of!): Year 6 Maths
Identify the relationships between angles on a straight line, angles at a point and vertically opposite angles; use these to determine unknown angles, communicating reasoning (AC9M6M04) Year 6 Visual Arts
Use visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials to plan and create artworks that communicate ideas, perspectives and/or meaning (AC9AVA6C01).
Select and present documentation of visual arts practice, and display artworks in informal and/or formal settings (AC9AVA6O01). Year 5 Maths
Estimate, construct and measure angles in degrees, using appropriate tools including a protractor, and relate these measures to angle names (AC9M5M04) Year 5 Visual Arts
Use visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials to plan and create artworks that communicate ideas, perspectives and/or meaning (AC9AVA6C01).
Select and present documentation of visual arts practice, and display artworks in informal and/or formal settings (AC9AVA6O01). Year 4 Maths
estimate and compare angles using angle names including acute, obtuse, straight angle, reflex and revolution, and recognise their relationship to a right angle (AC9M4M04)
Year 4 Visual Arts
Experiment with a range of ways to use visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials (AC9AVA4D01).
Use visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials to create artworks that communicate ideas, perspectives and/or meaning (AC9AVA4C01).
I probably wouldn’t try this activity with kiddos any younger than year 4. I’m not sure they would completely be able to visualise and implement the skills required to complete the artwork. The exploration of angles below year 3 is a lot simpler too, so other activities may be of more assistance with their learning at this age level.
The Process
Step 1 Trace a straight-edged outline of your animal onto white paper. Use a window or light box to help you see the image clearly.
Step 2 Place 3-5 dots within your image to become points of interest.
Step 3 Use a ruler and pencil to draw lines from the points of interests to the intersections and the outline of the body to create angles within your image.
Step 4 Go over your pencil lines with a fine liner and erase the pencil markings.
Step 5 Have your students then colour in each section they have created inside their animal outline. You can also then have the cut out their animal and glue it next to the original image onto a black piece of card.
Step 6 Have your students try to find all the different types of angles they have learnt about.
What do you reckon? Will you try this activity next time you are teaching angles to your upper primary students?
Children learn best through rhyme and repetition. When I taught in Early Years classrooms, this mode of learning was well received by the children and engaged them in many learning opportunities, without formalising the learning they were engaging with. The following rhymes I am sharing with you today, are great for transitions and time fillers. Using fingers and actions, children will be engaged as they learn early number concepts as practising some fine motor movements to strengthen up those little fingers for writing.
Five Cookies(Action poem) Five little cookies in the bakery shop. Shining bright with the sugar on top. Along comes (child’s name) with a nickel to pay. He/she buys a cookie and takes it away. (continue with four, three, two and one).
Five Fat Peas(A counting finger play especially useful in the Spring and Summer) Five fat peas in a pea pod pressed (children hold hand in a fist) One grew, two grew, so did all the rest (put thumb and fingers up one by one) They grew and grew (raise hand int he air very slowly) And did not stop, Until one day The pod went POP! (children clap hands together)
Birds(Poem) There was one little bird in a little tree, He was all alone, and he didn’t want to be. So he flew far away, over the sea, And brought back a friend to live in the tree. (Substitute two, three, etc. for one as you finish the verse)
Turtles(Poem) One baby turtle alone and new. Finds a friend, and then there are two. Two baby turtles crawl down to the sea. They find another, and then there are three. Three baby turtles crawl along the shore. They find another, and then there are four. Four baby turtles go for a dive. Up swims another, and then there are five.
Five Little Bees One little bee blew and flew, He met a friend and that made two. Two little bees, busy as could be, Along came another and that made three. Three little bees, wanted one more, Found one soon and that made four. Four little bees, going to the hive, Spied their little brother, and that made five. Five little bees working every hour, Buzz away, bees, and find another flower.
Counting Apples(A finger play) Five red apples Hanging on a tree (five fingers help up) The juiciest apples you ever did see! The wind came past And gave an angry frown (shake head and look angry) And one little apple came tumbling down. Four red apples, etc.
Monkeys In A Tree(Action poem) Five little monkeys (five fingers held up) Sitting in a tree Teasing Mr. Crocodile, “You can’t catch me.” “You can’t catch me.” Along comes Mr. Crocodile As quiet as can be… SNAP!! (clap hands together like a crocodile) (Continue until all monkeys are gone then add at the end…) Away swims Mr. Crocodile As full as he can be!!!!
Five Little Firefighters(A finger play) Five little fire fighters sit very still (hold up five fingers) Until they see a five on top of the hill Number one rings the bell, ding-dong (bend down thumb) Number 2 pulls his big boots on (bend down pointer finger) Number 3 climbs on the truck right away (bend down middle finger) Number 4 joins him, no one can wait (bend down ring finger) Number 5 drives the truck to the fire (bend down little finger) The big yellow flames go higher and higher (spread arms) Whoo-oo! Whooo-ooo! Hear the fire truck say (imitate siren) As all of the cars get out of the way. Shhhh! Goes the water from the fire hose spout, (rub palms together) And quicker than a wink the fire is out! (clap hands)
Ten Little Firemen(Preschool children perform the actions that the words suggest) Ten little firemen sleeping in a row, (extend both hand, fingers curled) Ding dong goes the bell (pull bell cord with one hand) And down the pole they go (close both fists, put one on top of the other, slide down pole) Off on the engine, oh, oh, oh. (steer engine with hands) Using the big hose, so, so, so. When all the fire’s out, home sooo slow (steer engine with hands) Back to bed, all in a row (extend both hands with fingers curled)
Five Good Friends Five good friends – outside having fun Until a mother called for one To come and clean the floor Five minus one, that leaves four. Four good friends – outside having fun Until a mother called for one To come and have some tea. four minus one, that leaves three. Three good friends – outside having fun Until a mother called for one To come and find her shoe. Three minus one, that leaves two. Two good friends – outside having fun Until a mother called for one To come home, ’til his chores were done. Two minus one, that leaves one. One good friend – outside all alone She stopped playing and also went home. Now no one is outside having fun. Now the friends outside is zero or none!
Let me know if you have any of your own favourite rhymes by adding them in the comments box below! Happy teaching!!