Bounding Around: Discovering Perimeter!

Mathematics Grades 4th Grade 3:21 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn about perimeter, the distance around shapes, by adding up the lengths of their sides. We'll explore different shapes and units of measurement!

Video Resource

Introduction to perimeter | Measurement | Pre-Algebra | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 3:21
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Perimeter is the total distance around the outside of a shape.
  • Perimeter is found by adding the lengths of all the sides of a shape.
  • Units of measurement are important when expressing perimeter (e.g., feet, meters, gnus).

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define perimeter as the distance around a shape.
  • Students will be able to calculate the perimeter of various polygons by adding the lengths of their sides.
  • Students will be able to apply appropriate units of measurement when stating the perimeter of a shape.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they think 'perimeter' means in everyday life (e.g., the perimeter of a fence around a yard). Then, introduce the math definition as the distance around a shape.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video 'Introduction to perimeter'. Encourage students to pay attention to how the perimeter is calculated for different shapes.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    Work through examples similar to those in the video on the board. Start with simple shapes like squares and rectangles, and then move to more complex polygons. Emphasize the importance of adding all sides and using the correct units.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with a worksheet containing various shapes with labeled side lengths. Have them calculate the perimeter of each shape independently.
  • Wrap-up and Discussion (3 mins)
    Review the key concept of perimeter and answer any remaining questions. Discuss real-world examples where knowing the perimeter might be useful (e.g., building a fence, framing a picture).

Interactive Exercises

  • Perimeter Scavenger Hunt
    Divide students into groups and have them find objects in the classroom and measure their perimeters using rulers or measuring tapes.

Discussion Questions

  • What is the difference between area and perimeter?
  • Can you think of a time when you might need to know the perimeter of something in real life?
  • What happens to the perimeter of a square if you double the length of each side?

Skills Developed

  • Addition
  • Problem-solving
  • Measurement
  • Geometric reasoning

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is perimeter?

Correct Answer: The distance around a shape

Question 2:

How do you find the perimeter of a shape?

Correct Answer: Add all the sides together

Question 3:

A square has sides that are all 5 inches long. What is its perimeter?

Correct Answer: 20 inches

Question 4:

A rectangle has a length of 8 cm and a width of 3 cm. What is its perimeter?

Correct Answer: 22 cm

Question 5:

Which unit of measurement would you use to find the perimeter of your classroom?

Correct Answer: Feet

Question 6:

If a shape has 5 sides, and each side is 2 meters long, what is its perimeter?

Correct Answer: 10 meters

Question 7:

What is the perimeter of a triangle with sides of 6 inches, 8 inches, and 10 inches?

Correct Answer: 24 inches

Question 8:

A shape has sides of 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, and 6 cm. What is its perimeter?

Correct Answer: 18 cm

Question 9:

If you double the length of each side of a square, what happens to the perimeter?

Correct Answer: It is doubled

Question 10:

Which of these tools would be best to use to measure the perimeter of your wrist?

Correct Answer: A measuring tape

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Perimeter is the distance ________ a shape.

Correct Answer: around

Question 2:

To find the perimeter, you ________ all the sides of a shape.

Correct Answer: add

Question 3:

A square with sides of 7 inches has a perimeter of ________ inches.

Correct Answer: 28

Question 4:

A rectangle with a length of 10 cm and a width of 5 cm has a perimeter of ________ cm.

Correct Answer: 30

Question 5:

The perimeter of a triangle with three equal sides of 4 feet each is ________ feet.

Correct Answer: 12

Question 6:

If each side of a pentagon is 3 meters long, its perimeter is ________ meters.

Correct Answer: 15

Question 7:

Perimeter is always measured in ________.

Correct Answer: units

Question 8:

A shape with sides of 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm has a perimeter of ________ cm.

Correct Answer: 14

Question 9:

The tool used to measure perimeter is often a ruler or measuring ________.

Correct Answer: tape

Question 10:

If you know the perimeter and all sides but one, you can ________ to find the missing side.

Correct Answer: subtract

Educational Standards

4.GM.3:[Standard] Determine elapsed time and convert between units of time. 4.GM.2:[Standard] Recognize and measure attributes in real-world and mathematical situations using various tools. 4.N.2:[Standard] Solve real-world and mathematical problems using multiplication and division.

Teaching Materials

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