Lesson 7
The Size of Angles on a Clock
Lesson Purpose
Lesson Narrative
In this lesson, students use an analog clock as a tool to describe the size of angles. They begin by using the clock to help describe how to draw a given angle, which involves describing the positions of the two hands of the clock. This work encourages students to relate the turning of the hands in a circular arc to the turning of rays of an angle around their shared endpoint.
Students then use language that suggests rotational movement to describe and compare the size of angles on a clock. To describe whether an angle is greater or smaller than another, they reference the amount of turn made by one or both rays. Students will connect the ideas developed in this lesson to the standard measurement of an angle (in degrees) in subsequent lessons.
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Describe the size of an angle as a turn of one ray from the other.
- Use the features of an analog clock to describe and compare the size of angles.
Student Facing
- Let’s describe angles using the hands of a clock.
Required Materials
Materials to Gather
Required Preparation
CCSS Standards
Lesson Timeline
| Warm-up | 10 min |
| Activity 1 | 15 min |
| Activity 2 | 20 min |
| Lesson Synthesis | 10 min |
| Cool-down | 5 min |
Teacher Reflection Questions
Suggested Centers
- Compare (1–5), Stage 5: Fractions (Supporting)
- Target Measurements (2–5), Stage 4: Degrees (Addressing)