Activity: Outdoor Learning – Angles In The Trees – Year 7

Quick summary: During this lesson students investigate, estimate, identify and classify angles in the outdoors in preparation for furthering their understanding of geometry. They apply their understanding of angles to the real world by identifying a range of angles in their local environment. Students will develop communication skills as they write instructions and provide feedback.

This lesson is designed to be taught outside. It contains all the tools required for students to reap the benefits of being outdoors while learning the outcomes of the Australian Curriculum. By spending time outdoors and connecting to nature, students are more likely to care for and conserve nature as adults.

We’ve taken elements of this lesson and adapted them for remote learning. You can find this activity here.

Learning goals:

• Students recognise how to measure and estimate angles.
• Students understand how to define and classify pairs of angles as complementary, supplementary, adjacent and vertically opposite.
• Students recognise the importance of communication in order to be successful in group tasks.
• Students recognise the mental, physical and academic benefits of completing classroom activities outside.

21st century skills:

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content descriptions:

Year 7 Mathematics

• Identify corresponding, alternate and co-interior angles when two straight lines are crossed by a transversal (ACMMG163)

General capabilities: Numeracy, Critical and Creative Thinking.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2.

Relevant parts of Year 7 Mathematics achievement standards: Students name the types of angles formed by a transversal crossing parallel line.

Topic: Outdoor Learning, Biodiversity.

Unit of work: Outdoor Learning Unit.

Time required: 80-100 mins.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – oversee activity and facilitate discussion.

Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet. Access to Types of Angles – Examples for teachers. One copy of Types of Angles – Worksheet for each student. One copy of Finding Angles In Our School – Worksheet and Angle Hunt Checklist for each group.

Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.

Keywords: Angles, geometry, estimating, schoolyard, outdoor learning.

Cool Australia would like to thank the Albert George & Nancy Caroline Youngman Trust – managed by Equity Trustees.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.