Geometry - Area and Perimeter - An Exploration on the Geoboard

This activity is designed to be used with a geoboard (11 x 11 pegs). An alternative for geoboards is included in this package (index size cards with 11 x 11 geoboards).

Students explore the meaning of perimeter and area by constructing polygons on the geoboard with rubber bands or drawing line segments that represent the rubber bands on the index size cards. The activity can also be used with Communicator Clearboards, available from Educator's Outlet and a copy of a student grid.

After the students are challenged to think about the difference between one unit and one square unit the students are challenged with seven additional activities. These questions have been printed out on a two-page activity sheet.

• The first four questions have the students construct four different quadrilaterals on a geoboard. The students are asked to name the quadrilateral and to find the perimeter and the area of the polygon. The pegs on the geoboard will clearly illustrate one square unit and one unit.

• The fifth question has the students construct a hexagon and find the perimeter and area of the hexagon.

• The sixth question has the students construct two smaller polygons inside the last figure and then find the area of the hexagon if those areas are removed.

• The last question has the students build two new polygons (one within the other) and then explain how they will find the area of the region outside the smaller polygon and inside the larger polygon.

A complete set of solutions is included in this package.

The questions have also be printed out on half sheets of paper. These can be set up at stations or projected on an interactive white board for students to complete.

There are five additional questions for a follow-up activity on perimeter and area.

Comments from buyers:

• My kids loved this!
• Went nicely with the lesson. Thank you!
• Great idea!
• Thanks
• Great to use with my classroom Geoboards!
• Kids loved it!