Week 20: Angles within a circle

This week learners can play with angles with both grand projects and smaller art projects. There are 360 degrees in a circle or 2pi radians. Learners can draw a circle and then mark every 20 degrees (or every 30 or any factor of 360). Factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 15, […]

a wooden inlay of a nonagon with a star  in the center with kites and triangles alternating colors of wood
a wooden inlay of a nonagon with a star  in the center with kites and triangles alternating colors of wood

This week learners can play with angles with both grand projects and smaller art projects. There are 360 degrees in a circle or 2pi radians. Learners can draw a circle and then mark every 20 degrees (or every 30 or any factor of 360).

a circle with tick marks
tick marks every 20 degrees

Factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 24, 30, 36, 40, 60, 72, 90, 120, 180, 360

Once the circle and tick marks are made, learners can start connecting points by skipping a set amount (skip every 5 marks). The key here is to be consistent – make sure they skip the same number of marks with each line. The lengths of the lines should be the same, so they can use that to check each line. I like to use circular protractors, but it’s not necessary.

After creating a star, or mix of polygons, learners can color them in, create a template for sewing applique, laser cut, combine them into a mobile, and more.

a circle with tick marks and a ruler connecting two of them
a circle with ruler and 2 lines drawn
a circle with ruler and 5 lines drawn
a circle with ruler and 8 lines drawn
a circle with tick marks connected with lines to make a star shape