Lesson Plan: Perimeter and Area

Lesson Plan: Perimeter and Area

Grade Level: VI (Age 11–12) Subject: Mathematics Topic: Perimeter and Area Theme: Measuring Space – Understanding How We Measure and Use Space in Real Life Total Duration: 5 periods × 45 minutes each (can be extended to 6 if needed)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Clearly differentiate between perimeter and area.
  2. Calculate perimeter of squares, rectangles, and triangles (including scalene, isosceles, equilateral).
  3. Calculate area of squares and rectangles using formulas and on grid paper.
  4. Find perimeter and area of simple composite shapes (L-shapes, etc.).
  5. Solve real-life word problems involving perimeter and area.
  6. Understand that shapes with the same perimeter can have different areas (and vice-versa).
  7. Apply the concepts creatively in a mini project.

Materials Required

  • Rulers (30 cm), measuring tapes
  • 1-cm grid paper / graph paper (A4 size, at least 5–6 sheets per student)
  • Plain paper, scissors, glue, colored pencils
  • Whiteboard markers, chart paper
  • Worksheets (printed)
  • Real objects: textbooks, desks, blackboard, triangular set-square, photo of a garden
  • Optional: cardboard pieces for making shapes

Detailed Day-wise Plan

Day 1: Introduction to Perimeter (Squares & Rectangles)

Objective: Understand perimeter as “the distance around a shape”

0–5 min: Warm-up Ask: “If you want to put ribbon around your gift box, what do you measure? If you want to paint the top surface, what do you measure?” Introduce: Perimeter → boundary (distance around), Area → inside space (surface covered).

5–15 min: Direct Teaching

  • Perimeter of rectangle = 2(length + breadth)
  • Perimeter of square = 4 × side
  • Demonstrate with textbook and desk. Students measure their own notebook and calculate.

15–30 min: Guided Practice Worksheet 1: 12 questions – 6 squares, 6 rectangles (sides given in cm). Include 2–3 where students first measure actual objects.

30–40 min: Pair Activity – “Perimeter Hunt” Pairs get 5 classroom objects (pencil box, eraser, blackboard, window, etc.). Measure sides and calculate perimeter. Fastest correct pair wins a small reward.

40–45 min: Wrap-up & Homework Quick oral quiz (3 questions on board). Homework: Measure length & breadth of your study table and bedroom door at home. Calculate perimeter.

Day 2: Perimeter of Triangles + Irregular Shapes

Objective: Perimeter is simply the sum of all outer sides

0–8 min: Recap + Mini Quiz 4 quick questions on rectangle/square perimeter from previous day.

8–20 min: Teaching Triangles

  • Show examples of scalene, isosceles, and equilateral triangles.
  • Perimeter = side1 + side2 + side3
  • Use set-squares and ruler to measure actual triangles drawn on the floor with chalk or tape.

20–35 min: Group Activity – Classroom Measurement Groups of 4–5 students:

  1. Draw a large triangle on the floor (sides 2 m, 3 m, 4 m) using tape.
  2. Measure with measuring tape and calculate perimeter.
  3. Introduce simple L-shape (two rectangles joined). Explain: perimeter = outer path only (subtract the joined parts twice).

35–45 min: Worksheet 2 + Exit Ticket 8 problems: 4 triangles, 4 L-shapes/composite shapes. Exit ticket: “Find perimeter of an equilateral triangle with side 7 cm and an L-shape with dimensions given on board.”

Day 3: Area of Squares and Rectangles

Objective: Area measures the surface/space inside

0–7 min: Warm-up Show two rectangles on board with same perimeter (e.g., 3×7 and 4×6, both P=20 cm). Ask: “Which has more area?” Most students guess wrong → creates curiosity.

7–18 min: Teaching Area

  • Area of rectangle = length × breadth
  • Area of square = side × side
  • Units are squared (cm², m²) – explain why.
  • Demonstrate counting squares on grid paper first, then use formula.

18–35 min: Hands-on Practice Give 1-cm grid paper. Students:

  1. Draw and shade rectangles of different sizes.
  2. Count squares → verify with formula.
  3. Activity: “Same perimeter, different area” – draw all rectangles with perimeter 20 cm on grid (1×9, 2×8, 3×7, 4×6, 5×5). Observe that the square (5×5) has the maximum area.

35–45 min: Homework Discussion Plan Announce that tomorrow they will share home measurements (area of table, bedroom floor, etc.).

Day 4: Real-Life Applications + Mixed Problems + Puzzles

Objective: Connect concepts to daily life

0–10 min: Sharing Home Measurements 4–5 students share area/perimeter of their room/table. Discuss: Who has bigger room? Who would need more paint/tiles?

10–20 min: Real-Life Examples (Teacher-led)

  • Garden: perimeter → fencing cost, area → seeds/grass
  • Room: perimeter → skirting/wall border, area → tiles or carpet
  • Park/path: perimeter → railing, area → grass
  • Photo frame: outer perimeter → frame length, inner → glass area
  • Sports field, gift wrapping paper, etc.

20–35 min: Word-Problems Worksheet 3 12 mixed problems (some require deciding whether perimeter or area is needed). Example: “A farmer has 120 m of fencing. What is the largest rectangular field he can enclose?” (Answer: square 30 m side, area 900 m²).

35–45 min: Perimeter & Area Puzzles

  1. Tangram (7 pieces): All groups get same pieces → same area, but when arranged differently → different perimeter.
  2. Riddle cards: “I am a rectangle with perimeter 30 cm and area 50 cm². What are my dimensions?” (5 cm × 10 cm).

Day 5: Project + Assessment

Mini Project: “Design Your Dream Bedroom” (individual or pairs)

Requirements (on A3 sheet or graph paper, scale 1 cm = 1 m):

  1. Draw a rectangular room (choose any realistic dimensions, e.g., 5 m × 4 m).
  2. Place at least 4 pieces of furniture/items drawn as rectangles (bed 2 m × 1.5 m, study table 1.2 m × 0.6 m, cupboard 1 m × 0.5 m, rug, etc.).
  3. Label every length clearly.
  4. Calculate and write neatly:
    • Perimeter of the entire room
    • Total area of the room
    • Total area occupied by furniture
    • Remaining floor area (for walking/carpet)
  5. Bonus:
    • Cost of tiling remaining floor @ ₹80 per m²
    • Cost of painting walls (assume height 3 m, subtract door/window)

Class Time Allocation:

  • 5 min: Explain project and rubric
  • 30–35 min: Students draw, label, and calculate
  • Last 10 min: 3–4 students present their designs quickly

Assessment Rubric (out of 20)

  • Correct dimensions & scale: 4 marks
  • Accurate perimeter calculation: 3 marks
  • Accurate area calculations (total + remaining): 6 marks
  • Neatness & labeling: 4 marks
  • Creativity + bonus: 3 marks

Worksheets (Brief Description)

  • Worksheet 1: Perimeter of squares & rectangles (12 questions)
  • Worksheet 2: Perimeter of triangles & simple composite shapes (10 questions)
  • Worksheet 3: Mixed word problems + decide perimeter/area (12 questions)
  • Puzzle sheet: 6–8 riddle/shape challenges

Differentiation

  • Struggling students: Provide pre-drawn grids or partially filled calculations.
  • Advanced students: Include area of right-angled triangles (½ × base × height) as a preview for Grade 7.