Length and Perimeter - What is perimeter activity​ - Worksheet

The worksheet provides an engaging introduction to the concept of perimeter, aligned with the National Curriculum objective for Year 6 students to measure, compare, add, and subtract lengths in various units and to calculate the perimeter of simple 2D shapes. The resources required for this activity include teaching slides, differentiated activity questions for inclusion in Maths books, and rulers for drawing. The vocabulary list for the lesson encompasses terms such as length, height, metres, centimetres, add, total, perimeter, distance, shape, 2D shape names, measure, measurements, edge, and edges, which are essential for understanding and discussing the topic of perimeter.

The activity encourages students to explore perimeters by arranging tiles in different configurations. Initially, they use three tiles to determine the longest and shortest possible perimeters, and then they repeat the exercise with four tiles, challenged to find as many different perimeters as possible. To deepen their understanding, students are prompted to add a fifth tile in a contrasting colour to the four-tile arrangement and calculate the resulting new perimeters. The activity is designed to promote fluency and precision in measuring and calculating perimeters, with a series of key questions to guide students' learning and ensure they grasp the fundamental principles of perimeter. The worksheet offers a hands-on approach to mastering the curriculum, allowing students to visualize and experiment with the concept of perimeter in a tangible and interactive way.