Students will measure the perimeter of a square by using a pipe cleaner.
Students will create a square with a given perimeter.
Procedure
Print a hard copy of the perimeter worksheet for each student.
Give each student the worksheet and a 12 inch long pipe cleaner.
Inform the students that each small square on the worksheet is 1 inch and the pipe cleaner is 12 inches long. With this information, they should find the box that has a perimeter of 12 inches.
Discuss their findings.
Next give them a hard copy of the perimeter template.
Each of the squares is 1/2 inch. (If 1/2 inch increments will be too challenging for your students, you could declare them to be units.)
This time the students are to use their pipe cleaner to guide them in making their own box. If you use 1/2 inch increments, they should make their own 12 inch box. If you use units as your measure, they should make a box with a perimeter of 24 units. If you use units, it is suggested that you change color of pipe cleaners so as not to confuse the students with the previous portion of the lesson.
After students come up with a box with the given perimeter, they should label the sides with the correct unit of measure and add the sides to double check.
Finally, have each student open up the perimeter template in Appleworks.
Their task is to make the same box in the template as they did on their paper. They should do this by clicking in a starting point, dragging it across to create the desired box and filling it with color.
Sunshine State Standards
MA.3.G.5.1
NETS Profiles for Technology Literate Students
Use a variety of media and technology resources for directed and independent learning activities.
Use technology resources (e.g., puzzles, logical thinking programs, writing tools, digital cameras, drawing tools) for problem solving, communication, and illustration of thoughts, ideas, and stories.
Students can make their own patterns to test their partners.
This activity could also be done in Kidspiration using different pallettes. The teacher can also create their own pallettes to make the patterns more personalized.
