Starting the new semester, P3 students have learnt about perimeter and area. This was not only learning a new chapter but also new experience for them about exploring perimeter and area. Before studying the concept of perimeter and area, they have learnt about the features of 2D shapes including sides and edges.
First, students were introduced to the meaning of perimeter. They learnt that perimeter of an object is the total distance around the object. They recognized that measuring perimeter is similar as measuring the sides of 2D shape. Thereupon, they tried to measure the perimeter of each tile from the classroom floor with a string. The string was 40 cm. They had to find out the total distance around each tile.
After that, students learnt about the area, which means the total space covered by the object. They learnt how to measure area by using square grid paper. It helped them to measure the area because they could see each square unit clearly. To deepen their understanding about perimeter and area, students were asked to design their own robot in a piece of square grid paper. They drew their robot by following the lines of the square grid. After that, they measure the perimeter and the area of their own robot.
By doing so, students were not only thinking about how to design their robots, but also considering how big their robot should be. It taught them to make a decision quickly because the bigger the robot, the more and more of square they should measure too. This practice also strengthens students’ understanding about concept of perimeter and area. The activity makes students accustomed to think deeply about something they want to do and get used to think critically.
Studying perimeter and area also helps children to understand spatial concepts and develop problem-solving skills. It provides essential and valuable skills for solving daily practical problems such as how to work in groups or arrange their working space. They should ensure that the table they took and the place they occupied fit to their group members. In the real world, calculating the perimeter also helps them determine and estimate whether a place has enough space for specific activities.
