Teaching Perimeter and Area with The Magic Pentomino

Looking for a fun, easy lesson to practice perimeter and area? All you need for this measurement activity is pentominoes and students’ math notebooks. No copies required.
In this measurement lesson, students will use what they know about area and perimeter to find “The Magic Pentomino”.
 
Students will need a math notebook, and a set of pentominoes (affiliate link). If you don’t have a class set, 3-4 sets with pieces placed individually around the room will work too.
 
 
Tell the kiddos that their job is to search for the magic pentomino. They will do this by finding the area and perimeter of every pentomino piece.
 
The MAGIC pentomino is the one piece that is unlike the rest.
 
There is only one.
 
Students will need to find a way to record the a drawing and results for every pentomino they have measured. They will have measurements for 12 different shapes when they are done.
 
Here’s are examples of what your kiddos’ science notebooks might look like like during the activity.
Which pentomino is magic?
This little baby below!  
It has an area of 5 and a perimeter of 10!
 
 
Did you try finding the magic pentomino with your students?
 
How did it go?
 
Let me know in the comments!

Have a fab day Super Teacher,

 

4 Comments

  1. Love the Jurassic Park connection – you should totally post a video of yourself acting like a T-Rex, that I would like to see. Thanks for this idea – I love it!

    LookingFromThirdtoFourth

  2. I'm so glad you posted this idea! I just taught area and perimeter and I want to give my kids extra practice without dishing out any more worksheets. My class will love this!

    Hooty
    Hooty's Homeroom

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