Angle– one word that we habitually use, but seldom do we understand its importance. From angles in pictures to furniture, to even buildings and architecture, this concept of mathematics is implemented time and again.
Angles can be used in geometry to define objects like polygons and polyhedrons, as well as to explain how lines behave. But, how do you inculcate this in the little learners? While it is undeniable that teaching about angles through theory can be beneficial and propitious. But, how about indulging them in some fun activities so that they actually realize the real-life use of this concept?
This will not only ignite their interest in them but also help them grasp and hold on to the topic for aeons. On this note, in this post, we dig deeper and discuss the eminence of angles, along with activities that can help young learners comprehend and assimilate.
Why are angles important in everyday life?
While learning the various mathematical concepts, we often wonder where are we going to ever use it in practical life? But, with angles, this thought might never occur! The reason is its profuse use in various fields. While it is a fact that learning about angles might leave the kids perplexed at first, but knowing its vast use, the little learners might be intrigued to know all about it!
Here are some fields where angles immensely are used:
1. Architecture
Buildings are constructed at a particular angle. At the same time, roofs, bridges, and everything that is made by humans for humans needs to be closely monitored and scrutinized for angles. For example, bridges need to be tilted at particular angles to make them more sturdy. At the same time, components and parts of a building need to be at a certain angle to make it more aesthetic. Moreover, these angles are also used to ensure that window panes, windows, and doors are proportionate and even.
2. Pictures
Certain pictures when shot at a particular angle, make the portrait more appealing. Photographers use angles profusely while clicking their subject. It is safe to say that angles can be one of the most crucial aspects when it comes to clicking a perfect shot. Therefore, one vital need of angles is in photography, where when the subject is clicked at a particular angle makes the pictures easy on the eye.
3. Furniture
Angles are used by artisans and carpenters to mould and craft the furniture in a way that it looks good, and feels good to the end-user. Ergonomically too, an angle may allow for a more comfortable sitting experience. Moreover, when angles are used intelligently, a piece of furniture looks aesthetic and feels comfortable. Hence, angles are widely used in items of furniture – be it tables, chairs, or even beds!
4. Sailing boat
While sailing a ship, a captain uses a compass the most, do you know how the compass is used. You might often hear the captain saying something like ‘we need to go 30 degrees south.’ Here, 30 degrees is an angle towards the south. Therefore, in seas where the ship sails, there can be no left or right but angles that mark the direction of the captain for a successful sail.
Angles: All around us!
In school, we make angles using a compass, or a protractor. But, if you look at the things around you, you can find each and everything making an angle. Here are some things from everyday use that can make an angle, if you see closely!
- Scissors
- Alphabets like V and L.
- Clock hands
- Pizza slices
- Nacho Chips
- Piece of cake
- The newspaper
- A calculator
- A Photo Frame
- A cubical flower vase
Angle activities for children to learn
After you’ve grasped the concepts of points, lines, and planes, think about what occurs when two lines or rays intersect at a point and form an angle. Teaching your kids how to measure and distinguish diverse angles from simple angles can be a tedious subject!
But it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are some engaging yet practical exercises and instructional resources for improving your students’ grasp of angles in the class.
1. Angles Within Letters!
To start, here’s a simple and easy activity to teach students about angles that have practical applicability. Students can use a scale or draw freehand the first letter of their names. There should be no rounding of the letters; they should be delineated and squared off.
What is the importance of this in terms of angles? It’s Simple! The students should discover as many angles as possible and measure each one! This angle activity is simple to do and produces terrific results. To elevate the level of the activity, the students can be asked to write their entire name, and mark as many angles as they can!
2. Knex models for angles
K’NEX are rod and connector building systems that let you build something from scratch. Think of them as blocks, but in the shape of rods. They come in various types and lengths for kids to make something creative.
Students should be able to distinguish certain angles. Right angles (90°), straight angles (180°), reflex angle (270°), full angle (360°) are the four common types of angles. The intersections between these are also significant.
Instruct students to use Knex to understand angles. Because they can join elements at every 45°, the white pieces, in particular, are great for emphasizing these crucial dimensions. The winner should be the student who points out the most angles.
To elevate the level of the game, teachers can also give a target to the students. For example, find 10 angles using the knex in the next 10 minutes. This can also build up other skills of the students as time-based activities stimulate the brain, and get the mind muscles moving.
3. Masking tape
This fun and creative activity can teach students about angles, and at the same time, help them become more innovative!
Firstly, each student must be asked to get some masking tape to the class. Next, the teachers can tell the students to randomly stick the masking tape in such a way that each piece adjoins the other. The teacher can ask students to use 10 such pieces. To inculcate more concepts at once, moderators or educators can ask the students to cut pieces of different dimensions, and measurements, this can act as a great measurement activity too!
Next up, now since all the pieces are conjoined with one another, each piece would form an angle. The students would now have to use a paper to mark and write what all angles are visible. To make the activity more creative, students can be asked to make different figures using the washi tape, and then find out the angles in the figure.
It’s also a great way to teach pupils about concepts like supplementary and complementary angles. Students should remember that angles on a straight line must equal 180 degrees, and angles around a single point must equal 360 degrees.
4. The Time Tells Which Angle?
It is a simple activity that we can conduct during the day while teaching angles. Ask the students what time it is on the clock at any time (that is good practice just in itself). Keep track of time and ask the kids to identify the angle – acute, right, obtuse, or straight. Also, ask them to determine the angle’s size.
When students do this, they will notice that each 5 minute period is 30 degrees. Throughout the day, continue to update the log on the board next to the clock and attempt to get in at least five questions.
5. Stick angles
To start with, teachers provide students with five sticks each. Now, you can provide them with a question whose answer can represent a model made with these sticks.
For instance, a teacher may ask them to show 90°, 150°, obtuse angle, etc., and ask them to solve them by making angles with sticks. The student would now have to hold the sticks in such a way that an acute angle is formed through the way they are holding their sticks.
To make the activity even more exciting, teachers can ask students to paste these small sticks on paper. Kids can also make figures using sticks that can depict various angles.
6. Teaching angles in the playground
This outdoor game requires students to go to the playground. Show them the slides, swings, seesaws, and other rides that are available. Ask the students that they draw the rides on paper and write down the angles.
Also, to make the activity more interactive, students can be taught that a slide is often at 45 degrees. Next, students can be asked to divide themselves in groups, and each group must find at least 5 angles in the playground. The group which finds the angles fastest and completes the activity wins the game!
7. Roundup
Make the students stand in a 360-degree circle for this activity. You can now point out the angle, such as 270° or 160°. The child positioned at that particular angle should raise their hand. Kids will remember the angles if they play this game repeatedly.
This activity can also be conducted in a way in which students can be first told to stand in a circle, depicting 360 degrees. Next, the students can be told various angles, and they would have to align themselves in that particular angle. For example, A right angle, 45 degrees, 180 degrees, and much more.
Through this fun activity, students will stimulate their minds, and with the help of other members of the class, they would arrange each other in that particular angle which would teach them volumes about this subject and concept.
8. Angles through door
You will need a strong white tape suited for use on the floor for this project. Teachers can indicate the angles at opened doors. However, teachers must make sure that this activity is strictly conducted under adult supervision.
For instance, open the door with an acute angle and an obtuse angle. This activity is an excellent technique to help students connect with angles visually regularly. This can also be conducted vice versa. Teachers can conduct evaluations by asking the students to put the door at a 45 degree, a 60 degree and much more.
This can be done in another way, where the position of the door can be set by the teacher, and using a protractor the student would have to measure at what angle the door is at.
Through these fun activities, students would learn that angles are present everywhere, and this can help them learn even more about the concept.
Summing up,
It’s necessary to learn what angles are, how they function, and how to measure them. They aid in the construction of better streets and towns, the use of the sun and shadows to tell time, and the measurement of the distance between planets and stars. So when using fun materials and memory tactics while playing games can considerably improve students’ learning curves.
Nearly every facet of our daily lifestyle involves lines and angles. To succeed in math examinations, students must be comfortable measuring, calculating, and drawing angles; nevertheless, a good understanding of planes and angles can also aid students’ knowledge about the world.
An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’,