Perimeter denotes the continuous length of the sides of a closed figure. Usually, this concept is taught with ease when the sides of a figure are measured in whole numbers. However, what happens when the sides of a figure are represented in fractional lengths? This can be quite challenging, especially for students who are in the lower grades. Hence, to bridge this gap, it is important to create activities that will help students to learn about perimeter with fractional side lengths. Here, we will look at some of the activities that can be used to teach students about perimeter with fractional side lengths.
Activity 1: Representing Perimeter Using Fraction Strips
To begin the lesson, introduce the students to the concept of fraction strips. Fraction strips are cut-out pieces of paper with different fractional lengths. The fractional lengths are color-coded to help students differentiate between the different lengths. To demonstrate how to find the perimeter of a shape with fractional lengths, you can start by using two fraction strips of different lengths. Ask the students to measure the length of each strip and add them together to find the perimeter. Allow the students to work in pairs or groups of three to create different shapes using the strips. Once they have created their shapes, they can then measure the length of each side and add them together to find the perimeter.
Activity 2: Perimeter Task Cards
Another way to teach perimeter using fractional side lengths is to create task cards. The task cards should contain different shapes with fractional side lengths. Each task card should have a diagram of the shape and a set of questions. The questions should focus on calculating the perimeter of the shape using the given fractional side lengths. To make the task cards more interactive, you can include multiple-choice questions, fill in the blank questions, and short answer questions.
Activity 3: Create Your Own Shape
Allow the students to create their own shape and assign them a specific perimeter. The students can use fraction strips or other manipulatives to help them create a shape that has the desired perimeter. To make the activity more challenging, you can ask the students to use a specific fraction or decimals for the length of the sides. Once the students have created their shapes, they can present them to the class and explain how they calculated the perimeter.
Activity 4: Mathematical Art Project
You can create a mathematical art project that includes perimeter with fractional side lengths. Provide the students with a set of shapes and ask them to create a piece of art using those shapes. The students should calculate the perimeter of each shape using fractional side lengths and then arrange the shapes in a way that is visually appealing. Once the students have arranged the shapes, they can glue them onto a piece of construction paper and label the perimeter of each shape.
Conclusion
Teaching perimeter with fractional side lengths can be tricky, but it is important to find ways to help students understand this concept. By using various activities that are engaging and interactive, students can learn how to calculate perimeter with fractional side lengths. Moreover, these activities can help students to develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills. As a teacher, it is important to find ways to make math fun, enjoyable, and accessible to all students.
