Explain what area is
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what area is.
Key learning points
- Some shapes are better than others to cover the surface and count the area.
- The surface of the shape must be covered with no gaps or overlaps; the unit used must tessellate.
Keywords
Polygon - A two-dimensional shape made up of three or more straight lines.
Tessellate - A shape tessellates if copies of it can fully cover a space without overlapping.
Common misconception
Pupils may well have had recent experience of perimeter. Perimeter and area are easily confused.
Remind pupils that running their finger around a 2D shape will give the perimeter. Running it inside the shape will give the area.
Teacher tip
'Interrupt the forgetting' by giving frequent quickfire opportunities outside the Maths lesson for pupil to use their fingers to show the perimeter and then the area of an object in front of them.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What shape is being described here? A flat shape with 4 straight sides of equal length. Every interior angle is a right angle (90°).
Q2.Which of these images shows a polygon?
Q3.Match the 2D shape with the correct name.
circle
pentagon
hexagon
square
Q4.What is the perimeter of the rectangle?
Q5.What is the perimeter of the square? cm
Q6.Which of the following shapes would tessellate with itself?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Fill in the blank: is the measurement of a flat surface. It measures a 2D space.
Q2.Which of these shapes is most commonly used for measuring the area of a flat surface?
Q3.Which of these images have an area that can be measured?
Q4.Which 2D shape appears on all six of the faces of this brick and has measurable area?
Q5.Complete the sentence: The shape has an area of just over square units.
Q6.Square units are being used to measure the area of this shape. How many complete square units can be seen in the image?
To help you plan your 5 maths lesson on: Explain what area is, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 maths lesson on: Explain what area is, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Understand the concept of area unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.