Measurement Length and Perimeter - Perimeter of Rectangles - Planning

In a Year 4 mathematics lesson, students are introduced to the concept of finding the perimeter of rectangles, including squares, even when they're not presented on a squared grid. The key vocabulary for this lesson includes terms like perimeter, rectangles, rectilinear figure, centimetres, metres, length, width, efficient, and integers. The lesson commences with a starter activity to review previous learning, followed by a class teaching input where students observe a rectangle and use their understanding of rectilinear shapes to deduce that opposite sides have equal measurements. This knowledge is then applied to complete number sentences that lead to the calculation of the rectangle's perimeter. Students practice these skills on a whiteboard or paper, and partner work is encouraged to foster collaboration.

During the lesson, practical approaches are also encouraged, with students using items like paper clips or multilink cubes to physically represent the perimeters of the shapes they are studying. Further activities challenge students to calculate missing lengths given the perimeter and one known side, reinforcing their understanding of the properties of rectilinear figures. Independent learning is supported through differentiated worksheets that cater to varying levels of ability, from adding single-digit numbers to working with lengths in half-centimetres and converting between millimetres, centimetres, and metres for more advanced students. The lesson concludes with a plenary session where students reflect on what they've learned, discuss the efficiency of different methods, and address common misconceptions, such as the need to be given all four side measurements or mistakenly counting inside the shape rather than the lengths around it.