When I moved up to 6th grade math I was surprised to learn that I would get to teach finding the area and perimeter of shapes. I really thought that this skill is placed solely in elementary school. But 6th graders do need to learn how to find the area and perimeter of different shapes.
Those shapes though aren’t just squares and rectangles. In the 6th grade Common Core Standards, students need to know different shapes. Here’s the exact standard:
6.G.A.1: Find the area of right triangles, other triangles, special quadrilaterals, and polygons by composing them into rectangles or decomposing them into triangles and other shapes; apply these techniques in the context of solving real-world and mathematical problems.
In this post, I’m sharing ways to teach finding the area and perimeter of rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, and trapezoids.
Area vs Perimeter
Most of the time, students remember how to find the perimeter of shapes. Maybe because it is just adding up the outside lengths or maybe elementary teachers hit that concept really hard. Either way, perimeter seems to be the easy one and the concept I spend less time on.
Area, on the other hand, requires a lot more work and multiplying rather than ‘easy’ adding. Before diving into my geometry unit, I like to review multiplication facts. Including games for multiplication facts is a fun and easy way to provide practice, especially as a math station rotation idea.
How to find the area and perimeter of a rectangle
Let’s start at the beginning, and if you teach 3rd or 4th grade these tips will be perfect for you!
I like to start my geometry with how to find the area and perimeter of rectangle shapes. By 6th grade, students have seen the area and perimeter a lot. But I like to build up with what students already know and give that growth mindset boost that my students may need.
Usually, a quick example problem of both area and perimeter is enough to jog the memory. Of course, breaking out square tiles can help students understand the math concept. Giving a large rectangle and a bucket of tiles can make finding the area and perimeter that much more fun and hands-on!
After giving an example or two, I love to play a math game. I use my trusty Tic Tac Toe game board set to help students practice without it feeling like a worksheet.
This finding the area and perimeter game is low prep and high engagement. Students solve a problem and then check their answers with their partners. Then they take a turn at tic tac toe.
I love how easy the game is to prep, truly just print and play. I do slip each board into a page protector and let students use dry-erase markers to play. This makes the boards easy to store and switch out for math learning centers.
Want something different than Tic Tac Toe? My 4 in a Row Math Area and Perimeter Games are a fun alternative.
Area of parallelograms
While the formula for finding the area and perimeter of a rectangle and parallelogram are the same, these shapes don’t look the same to students. To help bridge the gap between the shapes and their formulas, I use learning labs.
Learning labs are a way to explore math concepts usually before learning the algorithm or formula. Students cut out parallelogram shapes and practice cutting off the triangle to move over to the other side of the shape. This then creates a rectangle and students can use their rectangle area formula to solve.
After completing the learning lab, students gain a deeper understanding of finding the area of parallelograms.
I created a bundle of 3 of my favorite math station rotation ideas in this pack! The learning lab, Tic Tac Toe partner game, and a set of matching task cards are included to make planning area of parallelograms stations easy. Be sure to check it out here!
What is the area of triangles?
Finding the area and perimeter of a triangle is a fun one to teach because I can make it hands-on. Just like finding the area and perimeter of parallelograms, I like to use learning labs.
This learning lab has students cutting a rectangle into 2 triangles and finding the area of both the rectangle and the triangle. Students should see that the triangle is half of the area of the rectangle which explains why the formula is half of the rectangle.
What is the area of triangles? Half of the area of a rectangle! So the area of triangles formula is bh/2!
I created a math station rotation pack for all things area of triangles. This bundle of the area of triangles worksheets is perfect for 3 different rotations in your classroom. The learning lab, Tic Tac Toe game, and matching task cards are included. Low prep, everything is ready to use. Click here to learn more!
What is area of trapezoid figures formula?
Teaching how to find the area and perimeter of a trapezoid is a little more challenging. Truth be told, I teach the formula. While there is a hands-on way to show what is area of trapezoid figures is, I find that it confuses my students more than helps them.
Since students are relying on the formula for finding the area and perimeter of trapezoids, I like to give a lot of practice. Enter math station rotation ideas!
This trapezoid area game is fun to include in math stations while I pull small groups to practice the formula. Since we play Tic Tac Toe a lot in my room, I like to change it up and play 4 in a row! This game is very similar with some self-checking components and low prep like the finding the area and perimeter worksheets game linked above. But with 4 in a Row, the game board is bigger with more places to play similar to Connect 4. Grab the worksheet on area of trapezoid game here.
Other Finding the area and perimeter teaching ideas
Looking for more finding the area and perimeter teaching ideas? These blog posts have tons of ideas and resources linked to helping you plan your geometry unit.
- Amazing 5th Grade Geometry Worksheets
- 19 Creative Ways to Teach Area and Perimeter
- Fun Ways to Practice Area & Perimeter
- Area and Perimeter: Hands-on Lesson Ideas that are Fun!
- 20 Interactive Area and Perimeter Activities for Middle Schoolers
- Tips, Tricks, and Free Activities Simplify Teaching Area & Perimeter
- 6 Engaging Activities for Teaching Area and Perimeter in 4th Grade
I’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite teaching ideas for finding the area and perimeter? Drop your ideas in the comments!
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