Reasoning about Angles (Part 2)

10 min

Narrative

In this Warm-up, students practice identifying obtuse angles in an image. They may, for instance, rely on the symmetry of the figure or on a grouping strategy, or otherwise scan the figure in a methodical way.

Launch

  • Groups of 2
  • “How many angles do you see? How do you see them?”
  • Display the image.
  • 1 minute: quiet think time
Teacher Instructions
  • Display the image.
  • “Discuss your thinking with your partner.”
  • 1 minute: partner discussion
  • Record responses.

Student Task

How many angles do you see in the folded paper heart?

photo of a paper folded heart

Sample Response

Sample responses:
  • I see 10 points around the edge of the heart. Each point is the vertex of an angle, so there are 10 angles. 
  • I see the heart has 10 straight sides. Each side-by-side pair of sides forms an angle, so there are 10 angles. 
  • I see 8 obtuse angles around the outer edge of the heart (4 on the left and 4 on the right) and 2 in the middle (on either side of the center line). I also see 2 acute angles at the bottom of the heart (on either side of the center line).
Activity Synthesis (Teacher Notes)
  • “How did you make sure all the angles are accounted for?”(I put a mark through them or numbered them.)
  • “How many obtuse angles are in this image?” (10)
  • Label each obtuse angle with reasoning from students.
  • Consider asking:
    • “Who can restate in different words the way _____ saw the angles?”
    • “Did anyone see the angles the same way but would explain it differently?”
    • “Does anyone want to add an observation to the way _____ saw the angles?”
Standards
Addressing
  • 4.G.1·Draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines. Identify these in two-dimensional figures.
  • 4.G.A.1·Draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines. Identify these in two-dimensional figures.

15 min

20 min