Activities to Teach Students the Area of Compound Figures Made of Rectangles
![](https://dev.theedadvocate.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/teacher-1280966_1280-660x400.jpg)
Teaching the area of compound figures made of rectangles can be a challenging task for many educators. However, with the right activities, this concept can be taught in a fun and engaging way that will help students fully grasp the concept. Here are a few activities that can help teach students about the area of compound figures made of rectangles:
1. Cut and Paste Activity
This activity involves cutting out different sized rectangles and having the students arrange them to form a compound figure. Once they have arranged the rectangles, they can calculate the total area of the figure. This hands-on activity will help students understand how smaller rectangles can be combined to form a larger, more complex shape.
2. Paper Folding Activity
This activity involves folding a piece of paper to create different shapes. Students can fold the paper to create two or more rectangles and calculate the area of each rectangle. They can then add the areas together to find the total area of the compound figure. This activity will help students understand how folding a shape can create different rectangles, which can then be used to calculate the area.
3. Game-Based Learning
Games are a great way to make learning fun and engaging for students. A game that can be used to teach the area of compound figures made of rectangles is “Build-a-Shape”. In this game, students roll a die and add rectangles to their shape, trying to create the largest possible compound figure. Once they have created their shape, they can calculate the area. This game will help students understand how to combine different sized rectangles to create a compound shape and reinforce their understanding of the concept.
4. Real-World Applications
Using real-world examples can help students understand how the area of compound figures made of rectangles is used in everyday life. For example, students can be given a blueprint of a house and asked to calculate the area of rooms that are made up of several rectangular shapes. This will help students understand how the concept can be applied outside the classroom.
In conclusion, teaching the area of compound figures made of rectangles can be fun and engaging if the right activities are used. Activities such as cutting and pasting, paper folding, game-based learning, and real-world applications can help students fully grasp the concept and build their skills in geometry.