Max Maths, Year 4, Learn together, Perimeter (1)

In a Year 4 mathematics lesson, students are introduced to the concept of perimeter through a practical example involving a table. They learn that the perimeter is the total length around the edge of a shape, and for rectangular shapes, this can be calculated by adding together the lengths of all the sides. To illustrate this, the example of Padma's table is used, which has a width of 1 metre and a length of 2 metres. Students are shown how to calculate the perimeter of the table top by summing the lengths of all four sides: 2 metres plus 2 metres for the lengths, and 1 metre plus 1 metre for the widths, which results in a total perimeter of 6 metres.

The lesson also teaches an alternative formula for finding the perimeter of a rectangle, which simplifies the process: perimeter equals two times the length plus two times the width. This method ensures that students can quickly and accurately calculate the perimeter of any rectangle, provided they know the length and width, and that these measurements are in the same units. A visual representation of the table with its dimensions labelled reinforces the concept and helps students to visualise how the perimeter encompasses the entire outline of the table.