Measure and calculate the perimeter of a rectilinear figure…
Measure and calculate the perimeter of a rectilinear figure (including squares) in centimetres and metres, and find the area of rectilinear shapes by counting squares.
The National curriculum in England: mathematics programmes of study, Key Stages 1–3 outcome (Measurement) for Year 4 says: “Measure and calculate the perimeter of a rectilinear figure (including squares) in centimetres and metres, and find the area of rectilinear shapes by counting squares.” This Fieldbook unit teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: National curriculum in England: mathematics programmes of study, Key Stages 1–3.
Fence It, Fill It: Area and Perimeter Grades 3–4
Which mat is really the biggest? Does the same fence always hold the same garden? Can the same rug need more edging? Four lessons where students tile, stretch rope and chalk the schoolyard to find out that area and perimeter measure different things.
- Which mat is the biggest? 50–60 min
Teams cover three taped mats with sticky notes and find that the long, thin mat that looks biggest is the same size as a small square one. Students explain area as the number of unit squares that cover a shape, and find it faster by multiplying rows by columns.
- Does the same fence always hold the same garden? 50–60 min
Teams stretch the same 12 m rope loop into different rectangles in the schoolyard and find that a fence of the same length can hold 5, 8 or 9 square metres. Students find perimeter by adding the sides, find area by multiplying, and recommend a shape for a school garden.
- How much turf for an L-shaped playground? 50–60 min
Teams chalk a real L-shaped playground in the schoolyard, split it into rectangles to find its area, and discover that cutting a corner off a rectangle takes away area but leaves the perimeter exactly the same. Then they design their own playground to a set of criteria.
More England Year 4 math outcomes we teach
Every England Year 4 math curriculum outcome we teach
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