Unit 7, Lesson 6
Distance around Shapes
Grade 3
Preparation
Lesson Narrative
In previous lessons, students reasoned about shapes and their attributes. In this lesson, students determine how many paper clips it takes to build a given shape to introduce perimeter as the boundary of a flat shape. Then they find the distance around shapes with marked side lengths and consider different strategies for finding the total length of the sides. In the Lesson Synthesis, students have the opportunity to share familiar situations that could involve perimeter.
- Action and Expression
- MLR8
- Comprehend (in written and spoken language) the meaning of the term “perimeter.”
- Explain (orally) a strategy for calculating the perimeter of a shape.
- Let’s find the distance around shapes.
Required Materials
Activity 1
Required Preparation
- Each group of 4 needs 25-50 paper clips that are -inch long each.
- If using 1-inch paper clips, use 80% scale when making copies of the blackline masters.
Teacher Reflection Questions
Reflect on how comfortable your students are asking questions of you and of each other. What can you do to encourage students to ask questions?