Changing rectangles
| Grade | Work Samples | |
|---|---|---|
| Midway through Stage 3 (end of Year 5) | End of Stage 3 (end of Year 6) | |
| Grade A | Huong | |
| Grade B | Casey Dale Jessie | |
| Grade C | Tai | Chris Robyn Lesley |
| Grade D | Indra Courtney Lou | |
| Grade E | Drew | |
Foundation Statement strands
The following strands are covered in this activity:
Description of activity
Students respond to a given scenario about the perimeter and area of a rectangle with changing dimensions. They then justify their answers.
- The students are presented with the following scenario:
Sarah said ‘If I change the dimensions of a rectangle but keep the perimeter the same, the area is always the same.’
- Teacher poses the question:
Is Sarah correct? Why?
Students give examples to justify their answers.
The suggested time allocation for this activity is 20 minutes.
Suggested materials
Blank paper, pens, square grid paper
Prior learning
Students have investigated, measured and recorded the perimeter and area of various shapes. They have explored and discussed the relationship between perimeter and area. They have had experience making generalisations about findings and recording them in words.
Board of Studies NSW, Mathematics K–6 Syllabus, pp 95, 99
Board of Studies NSW, Mathematics K–6 Sample Units of Work, p 139
Outcomes
Length (MS3.1)
Selects and uses the appropriate unit and device to measure lengths, distances and perimeters
Area (MS3.2)
Selects and uses the appropriate unit to calculate area, including the area of squares, rectangles and triangles
Applying Strategies (WMS3.2)
Selects and applies appropriate problem-solving strategies, including technological applications, in undertaking investigations
Communicating (WMS3.3)
Describes and represents a mathematical situation in a variety of ways using mathematical terminology and some conventions
Reasoning (WMS3.4)
Gives a valid reason for supporting one possible solution over another
Criteria for assessing learning
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- calculate perimeters and areas of rectangles
- use problem-solving strategies to investigate the relationship between perimeters and areas of rectangles
- justify conclusions using mathematical reasoning and terminology