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LESSON PLAN

Measurement: Perimeter, Area, and Capacity

A
Apothem Team
Grade 3 · Measurement
LESSON AT A GLANCE
Warm-up
5 min
Explore
15 min
Consolidate
10 min
Practice
12 min
Exit ticket
3 min

Warm-up

Show two shapes made of linking cubes: one a 1x12 rectangle and one a 3x4 rectangle. Both have 12 cubes (same area). Calculate the perimeter of each. (1x12: 26 units; 3x4: 14 units.) Same area, very different perimeter. This surprise launches the distinction beautifully.

Explore

Measurement stations: (1) Perimeter: measure the perimeter of 5 polygons with a ruler. (2) Area: tile 3 shapes with square tiles and record area. (3) Capacity: pour water between containers and estimate/measure. (4) Circumference: wrap string around 3 circular objects; measure and compare to diameter.

Consolidate

Practice

Students measure perimeter and area of 4 shapes, capacity of 3 containers, and mass of 3 objects. Record all measurements with correct units. Exit ticket: draw two different shapes that each have an area of 12 square units. What are their perimeters?

Exit ticket

Students measure perimeter and area of 4 shapes, capacity of 3 containers, and mass of 3 objects. Record all measurements with correct units. Exit ticket: draw two different shapes that each have an area of 12 square units. What are their perimeters?

TIP  Do not introduce perimeter and area formulas until students have measured both concretely on many different shapes. The formula is the summary of an understood process, not the starting point.
WORKED EXAMPLES
A rectangular garden is 8m long and 3m wide. What is the perimeter? What is the area?

Perimeter: 2x(8+3) = 2x11 = 22 metres. Area: 8x3 = 24 square metres. Perimeter is in metres (length units). Area is in square metres (area units). Different attributes, different units, same garden.

Which holds more: a 2L jug or a 1750 mL bottle?

Convert to same units: 2L = 2000 mL. 2000 > 1750. The 2L jug holds more by 250 mL.

MATERIALS
Rulers and metre sticks
Square tiles for area measurement
String and tape measures for circumference
Graduated cylinders and containers
Balance scales and masses (g and kg)
WATCH FOR
!Perimeter-area confusion is extremely persistent. Never skip the concrete stage of measuring both on the same shape.
!Students may multiply perimeter by units (cm) and get square centimetres. Perimeter uses length units, not square units. Area uses square units. Units identify the attribute being measured.