Max Maths, Year 6, Work Book, Finding areas by counting squares

In the Max Maths Year 6 Workbook, an engaging exercise invites students to explore the concept of area through hands-on activities. Practice 2, titled 'Finding areas by counting squares', encourages children to interact with nature by collecting four different leaves. They are instructed to outline each leaf on a provided grid, label them A to D, and then estimate the area of each leaf by counting the squares within their outlines. This task not only helps students practice estimation but also allows them to appreciate the diverse shapes and sizes found in leaves, making the learning experience both educational and enjoyable.

Furthering their understanding of geometry, the workbook presents students with a tangram sketch. The task is to calculate the area of each segment by counting the enclosed squares, fostering attention to detail and precision. Students must then determine the combined area of the five right-angled triangles, as well as the total area of the square and parallelogram within the tangram. This activity challenges them to think about how different shapes can combine to form a whole. Additionally, they are prompted to devise a method for creating a section that is one-eighth of the tangram's total area. The exercise culminates with a creative task: students make their own tangram, cut out the pieces, and then arrange them into new shapes with specified areas, further reinforcing their spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.