Measurement Length and Perimeter - Perimeter of Rectilinear Shapes - Worksheet

The worksheet focuses on teaching Year 6 students how to measure and calculate the perimeter of rectilinear shapes, including squares, using centimetres and metres. It provides a series of activities designed to improve fluency and precision in determining perimeters. The children are encouraged to move away from relying on squared paper, instead using addition and subtraction to find the missing sides of shapes. Teachers may introduce part-whole models to help students visualise and understand the process of calculating missing sides. Key vocabulary includes terms such as centimetres, metres, and rectilinear. As part of the learning process, children are advised to label each side of the shape and to mark off sides as they work out the total perimeter.

The worksheet includes a variety of problems ranging from finding one missing side of a shape to calculating the perimeter of complex figures made up of several rectangles. These tasks are designed to cater to different levels of ability, with some children working only in centimetres, and others dealing with both centimetres and millimetres. Key questions prompt students to think about the significance of opposite sides in a rectilinear shape and to explore the maximum and minimum number of sides a shape can have based on its perimeter. Answers are provided for each activity, allowing students to check their work and understand where they may have gone wrong. The exercises aim to develop reasoning and problem-solving skills, with the ultimate goal of mastering the curriculum's objectives on perimeter.