Perimeter and Area - Perimeter of Rectangles - Planning

Year 5 students are set to explore the concept of perimeter, specifically focusing on rectangles, including squares, as part of their Autumn term learning in Measurement: Area and Perimeter. The lesson does not rely on a squared grid which adds an element of challenge. Students will start by recapping the properties of rectilinear shapes, understanding that opposite sides of a rectangle are equal in length. They will then apply this knowledge to complete number sentences and calculate the perimeter of various rectangles. The lesson includes practical elements where students are encouraged to use tangible resources like multilink cubes to visualise and measure the perimeters of given shapes. Independent learning is facilitated through differentiated worksheets that require students to find missing lengths when the perimeter and one side are known, further cementing their understanding of the relationship between a rectangle's sides and its perimeter.

Key to the lesson is the development of efficient methods for calculating perimeters. Students will engage in activities that prompt them to consider different approaches, such as using addition or multiplication, and to discuss which method they find most efficient. The lesson also addresses potential misconceptions, such as the belief that all four side measurements are needed to calculate a perimeter, or incorrectly counting the interior rather than the lengths of the sides. Through a variety of tasks, including those that involve converting between units of measurement, students will progress from adding single-digit numbers to handling more complex calculations involving decimals and mixed units. The plenary session will provide an opportunity for students to reflect on what they have learned, the skills they found challenging, and the strategies that assisted them, ensuring they retain the key concepts from the lesson.