Mastering Area of Irregular Shapes: A How-to Lesson Plan for Area Awesomeness

Have you ever looked at the next topic in your math curriculum and thought, this is not going to end well? Area of irregular shapes was definitely on that list for me when I was a newer teacher, but after years of practice, I have it down to a science. Today, I’m sharing my always-a-winner lesson plan. Buckle up as we explore a comprehensive lesson plan designed to transform the complexities of irregular shapes into an engaging learning adventure. Here’s the step-by-step guide:

 

Lesson Plan: Unveiling the Secrets for Finding the Area of Irregular Shapes

1. Recap the Basics:

• Begin with a quick review of finding the area of a rectangle. Reinforce the foundational concept that area is calculated by multiplying the length and width.

 

2. Strategies for Finding Area of Irregular Shapes:

Introduce two powerful strategies for irregular shapes:

• Rectangle Breakdown: Break the irregular shape into multiple rectangles, find the area of each, and sum them up.
• Subtraction Technique: Find the area of a larger shape and subtract the “negative space” to determine the total area.

 

3. Hands-On Practice:

• Guide students through several examples, emphasizing how to find the length of sides when not explicitly listed or when a side is shared between different regions.
• Encourage student participation by working through examples together, allowing them to observe and assist.

 

 

4. Group Activity – Area Show Me:

• Divide the class into groups of 3-5 students.
• Provide each group with a set of face-down cards featuring irregular shapes.
• Taking turns as the leader, students draw and read a card
• Everyone in the group calculates the area of the given shape.
• Group members compare answers, fostering collaborative discussions for consensus.

 

 

5. Area of Irregular Shapes Tabs:

• Distribute irregular shape tabs to each student. In this hands-on activity, students cut out titles and pieces, solving the area of each shape using specified strategies.
• Glue each piece along the top edge, allowing space underneath for students to write their calculations.

 

 

6. Area of Irregular Shapes Squeeze Game:

• Students roll two dice, multiply the numbers, and draw a shape on their game board recording sheet with an area equal to the product.
• The shape must be divided into at least two rectangles, with equations written inside each rectangle.
• Students prove that the sum of the parts equals the total area of the shape.
• The first player unable to fit a shape on the board has been squeezed out and the other player emerges victorious.

 

If the possibility of student misbehavior is stopping you from playing math games, try out this free poster set of math game expectations and rules They’re a game changer!

 

 

Now that your students have had plenty of practice finding the area of irregular shapes, you can assign some paper and pencil practice and watch them attack the task with confidence.

 

 

With the right strategies and engaging activities, students can conquer the complexities and develop a deep understanding of area of irregular shapes. This lesson plan aims to make the journey exciting, collaborative, and ultimately, mastery-driven. Happy teaching, and may your students become area aficionados in no time! If you want to teach this area of irregular shapes lesson along with me, you can grab one of these done-for-you versions from my TPT store. 

 

 

Or grab the whole units from my web store.