Learning & Teaching

Extending Children's Learning in Maths: A Focus on Year 6 Angles

At Holy Cross, we are dedicated to extending our children's learning beyond the standard curriculum to help them develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. A group of our Year 6 children are currently engaged in an extension unit on angles, where they are not only learning to find angles of different shapes but are also consolidating their problem-solving skills and applying their previous knowledge in creative ways.

Exploring Angles Through Problem-Solving

In this extension unit, the children are engaging with a variety of challenging Maths tasks that require them to find unknown angles in various shapes and scenarios. This involves calculating unknown angles by applying their knowledge of various angle rules. 

So far in this unit the children have used their knowledge of; angles in triangles, angles in quadrilaterals, angles on a straight line, angles at a point, angles from parallel lines and vertically opposite angles. The goal is to deepen their understanding of geometry concepts and improve their reasoning and justification skills.

The Importance of Explanation

A crucial component of extension through challenging tasks is not just to find the correct answer but also to articulate the process used to arrive at that answer. The children are encouraged to explain their problem-solving strategies, which reinforces their understanding and provides valuable practice in communicating mathematical reasoning. This practice helps them deepen their overall understanding of the mathematical concepts they are applying.

Student Experiences and Insights

Lily, is a current participant in the Year 6 angles extension unit and finds the process engaging. 

"It helps me focus and understand what I'm doing."

Alex has had the chance to solve only one angles challenge so far, but enjoyed the experience..

"It is a fun challenge, especially when I get into a rhythm and feel confident about the solutions."

Fostering a Growth Mindset

By extending learning in this way, we aim to foster a growth mindset among our children. They learn that challenges are opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. 

Attached is one of the challenging angles tasks the children worked through earlier this week: