Examples of what pupils should know and be able to do
Probing questions
Why is it a good idea to split this shape into rectangles to find the area?
How do you go about calculating the dimensions of the rectangles in the compound shape?
Form a compound shape by pushing together two rectangles. Compare the areas and perimeters of the rectangles with those of the compound shape.
What has changed and why? What happens if you join the rectangles in a different way? Why?
What if pupils find this a barrier?
Pupils sometimes just add or multiply numbers they see because they do not understand the concepts of perimeter and area.
Give pupils opportunities to explore maximum area and perimeter, using a given, small number of square tiles.
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