A Year 5 maths sheet on measuring angles with a protractor, over three pages. Page 1 has a short guide to using the protractor and ten angles, numbered 1 to 10 and drawn in different directions. Pupils estimate each one, measure it and record both in a table on page 2. Two questions look at accuracy and at reading the wrong scale. The third page is the key. It follows the England National Curriculum Year 5 geometry objectives on measuring angles.
Mathematics - Geometry: properties of shapes
“draw given angles, and measure them in degrees (°)”
Angles 1 to 10 are measured with a protractor, from 20° to 170°.
Mathematics - Geometry: properties of shapes
“know angles are measured in degrees: estimate and compare acute, obtuse and reflex angles”
Pupils estimate before they measure, and question 3 compares an acute angle with the obtuse reading 140°. There are no reflex angles.
A boxed guide with a labelled protractor: put the centre on the vertex, line up zero with one arm and read the scale that starts at zero. A note says to print at 100%.
Ten angles in cards, from 20° to 170°. Four are acute, one is a right angle and five are obtuse.
Two tables, angles 1 to 5 and 6 to 10, each with a column for the estimate and one for the measurement. Question 2 asks which estimate was closest. Question 3 asks why someone might read 140° for the 40° angle and how to tell that it is wrong.
All ten measurements, to within 2°, and an explanation of the wrong-scale mistake in question 3.
Estimate first
Ask pupils to write all ten estimates before anyone picks up a protractor, then compare estimates with a partner.
Partner swap
Pairs swap tables and re-measure two angles each. Any difference of more than 2° is worth a conversation.
Wrong scale
Use question 3 as a whole-class talk. A small angle read as 140° gives pupils a quick test, because it is clearly smaller than a square corner.
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