Perimeter and Area - Counting Squares - Presentation

In a structured mathematics lesson centred on understanding the concept of area, students revisit the method of counting squares to calculate the area of various shapes. The lesson begins with a practical inquiry, inviting students to use post-it notes to demonstrate the area of their maths book, thereby providing a tangible connection to the concept of area. The interactive presentation progresses to include a series of activities where students are tasked with completing sentences to indicate the number of squares that make up the area of given shapes, thereby reinforcing their understanding of area measurement.

The lesson continues with more complex tasks that challenge students to adopt strategies to avoid counting squares more than once, thus ensuring accuracy in their calculations. This is followed by an engaging activity where students determine the area of differently coloured blocks within a tower, identifying which colour occupies the largest and smallest areas. To further develop their skills, students use multiplication to find the area of rectilinear shapes more efficiently, drawing on Leanna's method as an example. The lesson culminates in independent work and reasoning exercises, where students are encouraged to apply their knowledge to various scenarios, such as calculating the area of a chocolate bar with a bite taken out or determining the possible area of a partially erased rectangle. Discussion prompts throughout the lesson encourage critical thinking and the exploration of different strategies to master the concept of area.