Perimeter and Area - Counting Squares - Planning

The curriculum for Year 5 students in the Autumn term includes a focus on the measurement of area and perimeter, specifically in the second week. The National Curriculum objectives for this period aim to enhance students' ability to calculate and compare the area of rectangles, including squares, using standard units such as square centimetres and square metres. In addition, students are expected to develop skills to estimate the area of irregular shapes. The key vocabulary for this unit encompasses terms like area, shape, rectangle, square, formula, length, width, and measurement, among others, which are foundational for understanding the concepts of area and perimeter.

During the lesson, students start by revisiting the concept of area, discussing its meaning and how it relates to the size of a surface. They engage in hands-on activities using post-it notes to cover surfaces and explore the concept of area practically. The class then progresses to counting squares as a method for finding area, with discussions on the differences between area and perimeter. Further activities introduce more efficient methods for calculating the area of rectangles using times tables. Students are encouraged to work independently on worksheets designed to reinforce their learning. The lesson concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' plenary, prompting students to consider what they have learned, the skills they have used and found challenging, the resources that assisted them, and the key points they will remember from the lesson. This structured approach ensures that students develop a comprehensive understanding of area and perimeter.