Area - What is Area? - Planning

In the initial week of the Spring term, Year 4 students embark on a journey to understand the concept of area, a fundamental aspect of the mathematics curriculum. The objective is for them to learn how to find the area of rectilinear shapes by counting squares. The term 'rectilinear' refers to shapes whose sides meet at right angles. The key vocabulary for this unit includes terms such as 'area', 'surface', 'space', 'covers', 'efficient', 'square', '2D shapes', 'right angles', 'perpendicular', 'rectilinear shapes', 'sides', and 'corners'. These terms are crucial for the students to grasp the concept of area and its application. The lesson plan includes a variety of resources such as worksheets, presentations, and practical activities using post-it notes to aid in the learning process.

The lesson starts with an introduction to the idea of area, explaining that it is the space covered by a 2D shape. Through engaging activities, students are encouraged to estimate the number of post-it notes required to cover different rectilinear shapes, promoting an understanding of area through hands-on experience. They explore the creation of various shapes using the same number of notes, fostering the realization that different configurations can cover the same amount of surface area. The lesson is designed to encourage discussion and reasoning, with questions posed to deepen their understanding. As they progress, students work on differentiated worksheets to consolidate their learning, with the goal of recognizing common misconceptions, such as overlapping notes or misunderstanding right angles. The lesson concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' activity, where students consider what they have learned, the skills they have used and found challenging, and the support they received, ensuring they remember the key concept of area.