Primary 5 – Maths: Compound Shape in Floor Planning
P5 students started off Term 2 in Maths with compound shapes. They learned how to find the perimeter and area of a compound shape while using their prior knowledge of findingthe perimeter and area of squares and rectangles.
The students began by gathering in groups that had been decided in the previous meeting. Each group received a floorplan of a house with the rooms already set but some measurement of the sides are missing. Then, the students studied the picture. Next, they showed how they identified each of the basic shapes of a square and a rectangle. They continued measuring the length and width and copied the basic shapes on coloured paper. They cover the original picture with the measured basic shapes. Once they did that, they found the perimeter and area of the floorplan.
Through this activity, students didn’t just apply how to find the perimeter and area of a compound shape, but they could see the application of a compound shape in real life. Floor planning is one of the examples of a compound shape closest to the students. Not only that, they also use their analysing skill to find the simplest way to find the perimeter and area of the compound shape. Because this was a group activity, they learned to put work together and sharing opinion in which way was the most efficient in solving their problem.
This activity encourages the students to be critical in the problem given to them; some tasks need to be analysed for the simplest way before solving it. Not only in Maths, but in other lesson and real life. This just a small activity to hone their thinking skill so later down the list they can find the most efficient way in solving their problems. ***
