Perimeter Activity
Objective: Students will find the perimeters of regular polygons using formulas for perimeter.
Activity-Assign groups of students the task of estimating how much fencing is needed to enclose an athletic field, garden, or parking lot belonging to the school. Suggest that students use any existing fences as models. Ask them to create a plan that shows how they would solve the problem, recording steps such as these:
Decide whether the lot is a rectangle or a square.
Measure the length of a side.
Estimate the perimeter as if no gates or openings were needed.
Draw a picture of the area to be fenced.
Have students execute their plans and estimate the size of the perimeter they propose to fence. Invite groups to explain their plans and results to the class.