Time, turns and angles : a real-world approach to learning mathematics

Abstract

This report documents a lesson study conducted with Year 6 students at Għarb Primary School, Gozo, as part of the INSOLVU project focused on teaching mathematics through problem solving. The lesson explored the concepts of angles, time, and turns by embedding them in a real-life problem involving a cooking timer. Through an engaging outdoor activity using a large protractor and clock-face simulation, students visualised angles as physical rotations, measured them, and linked degrees with time. The lesson aimed to bridge abstract and concrete understandings, improve spatial awareness, and foster collaborative learning. Observations revealed that hands-on, contextualised experiences significantly enhanced student engagement and reasoning, although some struggled to articulate the lesson’s mathematical focus. Post-lesson reflections identified the importance of scaffolding and inclusive strategies to support all learners. The report concludes with recommendations for refining group dynamics, encouraging individual accountability, and building a classroom culture that embraces challenge and exploration.