Angles and Building Bridges

8-10 yrs old

Math & Economics

Students will explore parallel lines, perpendicular lines, acute angles, and obtuse angles and use this knowledge to design facades for buildings.

Submitted By: Minecraft Education

February 5, 2020

Lesson Plan
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Skills

Creativity
Critical Thinking

External References

Minecraft World File

Download the world and open with Minecraft: Education Edition.

Common Core Standard Link 4.MD.C.6

Common Core Standard Link 4.MD.C.7

Engage NY Link

Associated Engage NY module and lesson.

Learning Objectives

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.C.6 Measure angles in whole-number degrees using a protractor. Sketch angles of specified measure.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.C.7 Recognize angle measure as additive. When an angle is decomposed into non-overlapping parts, the angle measure of the whole is the sum of the angle measures of the parts. Solve addition and subtraction problems to find unknown angles on a diagram in real world and mathematical problems, e.g., by using an equation with a symbol for the unknown angle measure.

Guiding Ideas

Start the lesson by asking students the questions below:

1) What is an angle?

2) How many degrees are in a circle?

3) How can we measure angles?

4) What does it look like when we add or subtract angles?

5) What kind of things can angles help us in the real world?

6) What are the three kinds of angles?

Student Activities

Materials:

Graph paper

Pencils and erasers

Protractor

Before entering the world practice sketching and measuring an angle on graph paper with a protractor. Have them sketch a right angle, an obtuse angle, and an acute angle. Once the students feel comfortable with the process have students load the attached Minecraft world file for Measuring Angles and Building Bridges.

1) Sketch and Measure Angles

Students will enter the world and work to observe, sketch, and measure six angles.

2) Build and Measure Angles

Students will build two angles and measure a partner's angle.

3) Add and Subtract Angles

Students will observe models that show angles being added and subtracted in Minecraft and answer the NPC’s questions about the angles.

4) Design Challenge

Students will design and execute a plan to build a bridge that a boat can sail under. The river will be 40 meters long and the bridge must be at least 7 meters high and the student must know at what angles to build their bridge.

Performance Expectations

1) The student was able to stretch Minecraft angles on graph paper and measure them with a protractor.

2) The student was able to add and subtract angles.

3) The student was able to make a design and execute a plan for a bridge that a boat can sail under. The student must be able to determine the angle of their bridge.

4) able to identify right, obtuse, and acute angles.

5) The student was able to achieve a score of 2 or higher when the “You Got It!” score is subtracted from the Not Yet Score for each standard