Lesson 1 - Exploring Area

To encourage students to have fun on the Web while learning about Exploring Area, here are some games and interactive activities they can do on their own or in pairs.

Goal

Compare and order areas using nonstandard units.

Builds Upon

Student Book page 206

Instructions for Use

Touch Pegs lets students investigate area using non-standard units.

To use Touch Pegs, select a circle by holding the mouse button down, and drag it to any location on the gird. Release the circle to anchor it. A red node appears at the top of the circle. Click on any part of the circle and drag it in any direction. It will stretch much like a rubber band. Secure the band to any points on the grid to make rectangles.

Click on the circle again to add other bands. To color the rectangle, click first on it and then on the color buttons to the left. To release a node, hold the Ctrl key down and click on the node. Click on the 'Measure' button to determine the perimeter of the rectangle. Click on the 'Clear' button to start the exercise over again.

Pattern Blocks allows students to compare area using non-standard units.

To use Pattern Blocks, click on a shape and drag it into the workspace. Select a shape by clicking on it. Once selected, the shape can be moved to any location on the workspace. Click on the tools on the top panel to select and drag, rotate, find more information about the shape, or to clear the workspace. To remove a shape, drag it to the recycling bin.