Area and perimeter are two important topics that are used in lots of everyday situations. For example, if you are going to put a fence up, you need to know the perimeter of the area you want to fence in. If you are painting a wall, you need to know the area of it, or you might not get enough paint!
Knowing how to work out area and perimeter is an important skill.
Teach your children about area and perimeter using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Use our animal area sheets when teaching finding the area by counting squares.
- Challenge children to estimate and calculate the measurements and area of objects and spaces using this handy sheet.
- Work out the surface area of 3D shapes.
- These challenging sheets on finding the area of triangles and quadrilaterals are perfect extension activities.
- Use masking tape to make large shapes on the floor for children to measure area and perimeter.
- This sheet reminds children how to calculate a perimeter and gives some examples to work on.
- NRICH has plenty of interesting investigations for area and perimeter.
Resources
- Download our Area and Perimeter Pack for a guide, challenges and display materials for teaching area and perimeter.
- Our area and perimeter banners will save you time and look great on your display.
- Our area and perimeter posters are useful prompts for children.
- Use this interactive teaching program to model finding area by counting squares on a whiteboard or tablet.
Area and Perimeter Facts
- Perimeter is the distance around a flat object or shape, found by adding the length of the sides.
- Perimeter comes from the Greek words for “around” (peri) and “measure (metron).
- The area of a shape is the amount of space it takes up.
- Area is a Latin word, meaning an open space.
Videos
Calculating area and perimeter
This fun BBC Teach video gives a clear explanation for finding area and perimeter for regular and irregular polygons.
Running time: 4:37
Perimeter Around The Area
Sing along with The Bazillions as these cool cats show you the facts about perimeter and area!
Running time: 3:26
Area and perimeter of irregular shapes
This video models finding the area and perimeter of irregular shapes and gives children some questions to answer.
Running time: 8:42
Area and Perimeter: DIY Face Masks
Use your understanding of area and perimeter to make your own face mask from an old t-shirt.
Running time: 16:14
Books
Spaghetti and Meatballs for All!
Will there be room for everyone to sit at Mr and Mrs Comforts’ family reunion? This book is a great stimulus for discussion about area and perimeter.
Junior Illustrated Maths Dictionary
This book covers all the areas of maths needed for primary children.
Maths SAT Buster Stretch
Try these challenging geometry, measure and statistics questions.
Links
- This clear and attractive area and perimeter explorer allows children to build shapes from squares and find the area and perimeter.
- Choose the “Game” option on this page to challenge your children to make shapes with a given area.
- Visit this BBC Bitesize guide for information on calculating area and perimeter.
- Visit WorldWall for lots of area and perimeter activities.
- Children ould use this area calculator or this perimeter calculator to check their calculations.
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
