Step 7 Objective

Deduce and use formulae for the area of a triangle, a parallelogram and a trapezium; calculate areas of compound shapes made from rectangles and triangles.


What if pupils find this a barrier?

happy learners

For areas of triangles start with right-angled triangles and establish that the area is half the area of the surrounding rectangle. Extend to any triangle; focus on pupils identifying a base and perpendicular height. Give more information in diagrams than needed. Discuss strategies to identify the necessary information.

Similarly for compound shapes.