National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Learning About Surface Area and Volume
Plan a dinner party. Using a book by Marilyn Burns as a context, pupils learn about the relationships between area and perimeter and surface area and volume. The hands-on activities have learners rearrange tables and cut up meatballs to...
Teach Engineering
Using Map Scales to Figure Distances and Areas
The asteroid is getting closer and the question is whether the state of Alabraska is large enough for the shelter calculated in the previous activity. Teams determine the scale of their project and then use the scale on the map to...
Curated OER
Dog Pen Problem
Teach your class about various approaches to solving the problem of maximizing the area of a rectangle space with a fixed perimeter in the context of a farmer's dog pen. Then, they complete a worksheet independently to summarize the...
Balanced Assessment
Walkway
Evaluate different aspects of geometry with one task. An assessment activity prompts learners to determine the area of a pathway in the shape of a parallelogram. The Pythagorean Theorem and area formulas for various polygons provide the...
Virginia Department of Education
Area and Perimeter
Develop a strategy for finding the area and perimeter of irregular figures. Building on an understanding of finding area and perimeter of rectangles and triangles, learners apply the same concepts to composite figures. After...
EngageNY
Unknown Area Problems on the Coordinate Plane
Scholars determine distances on the coordinate plane to find areas. The instructional activity begins with a proof of the formula for the area of a parallelogram using the coordinate plane. Pupils use the coordinate plane to determine...
Curated OER
Finding Perimeter and Area
Geometers find the perimeter and area of rectangles. They discuss the definitions and characteristics of rectangles and squares. In groups, they use yarn to discover the perimeter of squares and rectangles. They count cubes to explore...
Helping with Math
Geometry: Areas of Triangles
For this areas of triangles instructional activity, learners observe given polygons. They determine the area of triangles, rectangles and compound figures. This one-page instructional activity contains 5 multi-step problems. This...
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Scale Factor
Does doubling mean everything doubles? Learners adjust the scale factor between two rectangles. Using the calculated measurements, pupils investigate the ratios between the lengths, perimeters, and areas of the rectangles.
Curated OER
Is There Mystery in Measurement?
Investigate perimeter and area of polygons! In this measurement instructional activity, learners use index cards to create rectangles and trace their hand to estimate its area and perimeter.
Curated OER
Area of Rectangles
Seventh graders review the concept of finding the areas of a rectangle. This lesson uses the classroom as a real life application for the formula of area. They measure classroom in order to compute the area.
Curated OER
Halves, Thirds, and Sixths
An excellent activity that effectively pulls together the concepts of area, fractions, and equivalent fractions! Using 3x2 rectangular arrays, 3rd graders are introduced to the concept of area in terms of square units. Building on this...
Curated OER
Side Length, Perimeter, and Area of a Rectangle
Students calculate area, perimeter and length of rectangles. In this geometry lesson, students create different formulas for the problem they are being asked to solve. They use the navigator to move the shape around and make observations.
Balanced Assessment
County Concerns
Apply area concepts to help farmers and settle county disputes. Scholars use a given diagram and information about an insecticide spraying campaign to determine the monetary benefit to farmers. They then decide which of two counties has...
Exploratorium
Tired Weight
You don't need a scale to determine weight. This activity provides a way to use the concepts of air pressure and surface area to determine the weight of a vehicle by calculating the amount of weight each tire supports.
EngageNY
Mathematical Area Problems
Teach the connection between area models and the distributive property through problem-solving. The 22nd activity in a series of 29 explains the distributive property graphically. Learners build area models from word problems and convert...
Curated OER
The Square Counting Shortcut
An excellent lesson that encourages students to discover how complex figures can be broken into simpler shapes when measuring area. Working with block letters, learners are given the freedom to develop their own strategies for...
Curated OER
How Many Units?
Young mathematicians calculate the area of rectangles and squares. In this geometry lesson plan, learners are grouped in pairs and use geoboards to construct rectangles. They calculate the area of the figure by counting the number of...
Curated OER
Area and Perimeter of Rectangles
Discover the difference between area and perimeter. Learners are grouped in twos and threes and each group has one advanced/gifted learner to serve as the peer helper. They receive manipulatives to help them determine the area and...
Curated OER
Area of Squares Word Problems
Each of these rectangles is split into rows and columns. Can your scholars determine how many squares result? The 10 word problems have space for learners to draw the shape and split it up to answer the question. Remind them that...
Curated OER
Surface area of a cylinder
Learners construct a cylinder made of paper with detachable bases. Then they are taught the formulas for finding the area of a curved surface and the total surface area of a cylinder. A great hands-on approach!
Teachers Network
A World of Symmetry: Math-Geometry
Define and identify the three basic forms of symmetry translation, rotation, and glides with your class. They cut out and arrange paper pattern blocks to illustrate symmetry, create a Cartesian graph, and design a rug with a symmetrical...
Virginia Department of Education
Out of the Box
There's no need to think outside the box for this one! Scholars measure the length, width, and height of various boxes. Results help develop the formulas for the surface area and volume of rectangular prisms.
Shodor Education Foundation
InteGreat
Hands-on investigation of Riemann sums becomes possible without intensive arithmetic gymnastics with this interactive lesson plan. Learners manipulate online graphing tools to develop and test theories about right, left, and...