Measurement Length and Perimeter - Measure Perimeter - Planning

The Year 4 Autumn curriculum on Perimeter provides a structured approach to teaching students how to measure and calculate the perimeter of rectilinear shapes, including squares, in both centimetres and metres. The lesson plan also introduces the concept of converting between different units of measure, such as kilometres to metres. Key vocabulary terms such as length, perimeter, and metric are emphasized to ensure students have a firm grasp of the language associated with the topic. Using a variety of resources such as worksheets, presentations, and classroom objects, the lesson begins with a recap of previous learning, including units of measurement and what constitutes a perimeter.

During the class, students engage in practical activities to solidify their understanding of perimeter. They trace around objects to visually identify the perimeter and use rulers to measure straight sides of shapes. For curved sides, string is used as a creative solution to measure the distance around. Students work both independently and in pairs, discussing and reasoning their findings using structured sentence stems to articulate their thought process. The lesson is differentiated to cater to varying levels of proficiency, with tasks ranging from measuring simple rectangular shapes to tackling more complex shapes and using the information in calculations. Common misconceptions, such as the need to measure all sides of a rectangle, are addressed to ensure a comprehensive understanding of how to accurately measure perimeter.