Measuring Angles in Fourth Grade

Here is what you'll need:
1. Types of Angles Foldable (from my TPT store)
2. Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland (via Amazon or other book retailer)
3. How to Use a Protractor (via Downeast Teach on TPT)
4. Measuring Angles Scoot Activity (see pictures below)

Here is what you do:
1. Types of Angles Foldable
This resource comes from my 4th Grade Geometry Vocabulary product. You will only need the types of angles page for this specific activity. Have students glue the foldable and copy down the definitions in their math journals. Here is what it should look like:

from my TPT store

2. Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland
You can purchase this book from Amazon by clicking the link above or from any other book retailer. I prefer Amazon because it is inexpensive and quick! This is a must read if you haven't already! What a fun book that introduces the concept of measuring angles in an engaging and exciting way.

3. How to Use a Protractor (via Downeast Teach on TPT)
I found this resource several years ago and it is always my go to when it comes time to measure angles. This resource is clear and concise. I have my students add it to their math journal! The students love it! You will need to add your own guided practice as you see fit.

via Downeast Teach on TPT

 

4. Measuring Angles Scoot Activity
From my experience, I found that teaching students how to measure angles on a small worksheet can get messy! Worksheets don't provide enough room to accurately measure an angle. The angles are often printed small and students have to use the straight edge of the protractor to extend the rays of the angle. It definitely gets messy!

I decided to take a different approach this year. I used the plain side of old book covers to create my own angles for students to measure. Don't forget to label each angle with a number. I made twelve (#1-12). You can make more or less, it is up to you!

I posted the angles around the room in numerical order. Students worked in pairs to solve the problems. In addition to measuring the angle, I had my students identify the type of angle and name the angle. We did the "SCOOT" approach. Students start at a station and work with their partner to measure the angle, name the angle, and identify the type of angle. My students needed about three minutes for each station. You will need to play around with the time to see what works best for your students. When the timer goes off, students will rotate to the next station. Don't forget to restart the timer!

Continue this process the students have answered all the questions. Students can record their answer on notebook paper or you can create your own template.

Did you enjoy this Geometry activity? You can download my Geometry Bundle Pack by clicking here. It contains FIVE great activities for a low price! Don't pass up this great deal.

You can download other great products from my TPT store. Just click here.

Types of Lines

Fourth grade math introduces many new geometry concepts to our Texas fourth graders. Students learn about different types of lines including intersecting, perpendicular, and parallel. This may seem super straight forward, but this concept can present itself in a variety of ways. 

Here is an idea for a "Types of Lines" lesson in your fourth grade classroom:

I start by having students create a new vocabulary foldable entry in their math journal.
You can find this product at my TPT store. Just click here.

This is what it will look like when the students put it in their journal. This example isn't specific to types of lines, but you get the idea!

We then break out into guided math groups. At my table, I go through my "Types of Lines Word Problems Task Cards." The tasks at the other stations are up to you!

You can find this product at my TPT store. Just click here.

You can find both of these products PLUS three others in my Geometry BUNDLE PACK! 

Just click here.

Check out my TPT store for other great products. Just click here. 

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK!

www.facebook.com/coolbeansed

Measuring Angles with a Protractor

Using a protractor to measure angles is a new skill for Texas fourth graders. Measuring angles with a protractor is a skill that was moved from sixth grade to fourth grade through the implementation of the new Texas math TEKS.

4.7C determine the approximate measures of angles in degrees to the nearest whole number using a protractor.

Measuring angles using a protractor is tough skill to assess. Protractors are not allowed during the STAAR test, so test makers are creative in their presentation of this skill. I created "Measuring Angles with Protractors" Task cards using inspiration from released STAAR questions. It is always tough to predict how the TEKS will be assessed, so it is best to teach a skill from multiple angles. The following pictures are my interpretation of the TEKS.

  

You can purchase a FREE preview of my task cards by clicking here.

You can purchase the FULL SET of "Measuring Angles with Protractors" task cards by click here. 

Please visit my TPT store for other great products. Just click here.

DIY Thing One & Thing Two Costumes

Here's what you'll need:

• Two headbands
• I bought an inexpensive set of soft, colorful headbands from Wal-Mart. They were about $3 for eight headbands. You can also use one you already have at home!
• Two spools of blue tule 
• These are found in the ribbon aisle at Wal-Mart for about $2 to $3 each.
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Laminated print of the "Thing One" and "Thing Two" designs 
• Hole puncher
• Red shirt
• Red pants/shorts/skirt 

Here's how you do it:

Step 1: Google "Thing One and Thing Two" to find the front logo for your t-shirt. I just copied and pasted them into a Word document and them as large as possible. Print and laminate for durability.

Step 2: Use a hole puncher to punch two holes at the top of your logo. Thread some of the blue tule through the holes to create a necklace. 

I preferred to wear mine as a necklace to avoid holes in my t-shirt from safety pins. If you don't have a printer, you can use a black marker to design your t-shirt logo. You don't have to laminate - it's just an option! You can also tape or laminate it to the front of your shirt.

Step 2: Measure out your blue tule in one foot sections. These don't have to be exact. You'll be cutting a lot - so CLOSE to one foot is good enough.

Step 3: Loop your tule around the head band. See the pictures below for a more detailed explanation.

 

Step 4: Put it together! 

Check out this The Cat in the Hat measurement activity for Dr. Seuss' birthday! It is FREE! 

Just click here.

Click here for other Cool Beans Ed TPT products.

Dr. Seuss Math

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

It is often difficult to find the perfect combination of rigor and fun when planning activities for the upper elementary grade levels. With STAAR looming around the corner, teachers often feel like they can't give up any precious days of instruction. In preparation for Dr. Seuss' birthday, I searched and searched for the perfect activity to do with my fourth graders. It was taking much longer than expected, so I gave up and created my own!

Here is a preview of my activity. It is FREE on my TPT site. Just click here.

Click here to see more products from my TPT store.

STAAR Pressure

The honeymoon period is over. Teachers are stressed and students are restless. The pressure of STAAR is sinking in. Tension is high in the school hallways and you can feel it in the school climate. Is STAAR an excuse to lose your focus and passion for teaching? Absolutely not! Here is my piece of advice: don't lose the connections you have developed with your students. Your passion for teaching and the connections you've made with your students are more important now than ever! 

Now - I am not saying that you should disregard the STAAR test completely. I am merely saying that you should focus on teaching the kids to love to learn. Everything will fall into place! Don't let the passion fade away. 

Here are a couple of ways you can make STAAR review FUN! Yes, FUN!

STAAR Review Scoot

Take the STAAR released questions from last year (or any rigorous word problems you have on hand) and type them on one sheet of paper each. Laminate the paper and post them around the room. The students will travel with paper and a clip board around the room to answer the questions. They may work alone, with a partner, or with a small group. You can ability group them or mix up the ability levels. Students will rotate or "scoot" around the room on your time! How much time do they need? That is up to you and your class makeup. I would suggest about 3 to 5 minutes per problem.

Review Stations

Look at test data from throughout the year to find those tough spots for your kiddos. Create review stations for these tough skills. Each station should be about 10 to 15 minutes long. The key to review stations is classroom management and setting expectations. Don't assume they know the directions for each station. Explain each station before hand and have instructions at each station in case they forget. 

Task Cards

Task cards are always a deceivingly fun and engaging way to practice math. Task cards can be used in guided math stations, review with shoulder partners or small groups, small group intervention, or an early finisher activity. Do you have iPads in your room? Buy or create task cards with QR Codes to make them even more engaging and exciting!

 4th Grade Math: STAAR Review Task Card Scoot 

bundles all these ideas into one FUN activity! 

Click here to download this product from my TPT store.

Visit my TPT for more engaging fourth grade math activities. Just click here.

Valentine's Day Party

Looking for easy, fun, and FREE Valentine's Party ideas?!?! Below you will find cheap and easy ways to keep the kids entertained during your classroom Valentine's Day party.

Tower of Hearts

All you need is a box of conversation hearts (per student) and a timer. Students are given three minutes to build the tallest tower they can. Students cannot hold their tower or support their tower using other conversation hearts. Whoever has the tallest tower when the timer goes off is the winner!

You can mix it up by having them build their tower using patterns: 

Pink, white, pink, white...

Pink, yellow, white, pink, yellow, white...

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, yellow, yellow, purple, purple.... 

Let the kids get creative!

You can also have them build a tower where not two same colors are touching. Have fun with it!

Valentine's Day BINGO

Each student will receive one Bingo board and one box of conversation hearts. The teacher will call a word from the cards provided. Students will cover the word (if they have it) on their Bingo board. You can determine the winner in a variety of ways: four in a row, four corners, black out, etc. Have fun!

You can download Valentine's Day Bingo for FREE from my Teacher Pay Teacher's page. Just click the picture below or click here.

Please visit my Teacher Pay Teachers store - Cool Beans Ed - for more products!