Measurement – Finding Area and Perimeter

The students have participated in a range of STE(A)M & hands-on activities to support their understandings in finding the area and perimeter in measurement.  After identifying the properties of 2D and 3D shapes, the students  were introduced to the side + side rule for calculating the perimeter and length x width rule for calculating area of 2D shapes.

The class then enjoyed applying these understandings to create fantastic pieces of artwork armed with the task of drawing their names on graph paper using block lettering & calculating their area & perimeter of their names in their artwork.
Students quickly noticed how the area and perimeter relationship depended on the design of their artwork and their name and not always what we hypothesized i.e. Why the perimeter of Sam’s name was much greater than the first four letters in Cliffords name (although he had an additional letter)

The students continued on to their STEM journey by calculating the area and perimeter of irregular shapes on the basketball courts, then being clever enough to make some (very funny) chalk outlines around each other to calculate the perimeter around their partner’s bodies.

They were ready for their STEM Project in Measurement!

What the Math? with Plicker Cards

In Maths,  my students have continued to engage in and enjoy incorporating a STEM-based approach to their learning this week.
They have begun using Plicker cards assigned to them to answer some tough questions about multiples, factors, prime and composite numbers, making Math quizzes more fun.

Plickers are a powerfully simple tool that lets teachers collect real-time formative assessment data without the need for student devices You setup your account online, create classes, create multiple choice or true false questions, print out the cards and then can use the app to scan the students answers.

This fantastic resource  will let you assign a unique card to each student.  Students hold the cards with their answer (A, B, C or D) upright at the top of the card. You can quickly assess the students by scanning their cards across the room!

For further information on how to use Plickers, please watch the tutorial below.

Please note, if you are an early childhood teacher and would like to use Plicker cards in your classroom, a great way to differentiate for your younger learners (who might find it challenging to identify between A-D letters) with a small effort, the Plickers can be altered by using coloured dots/shapes as well.

Full STEAM Ahead

Welcome to ‘The STEM Classroom’

A classroom blog that chronicles the day-to-day STEM activities/projects that have inspired curriculum learning through engaging hands-on experiences and project-based approach.

The STEM classroom has reported increased student attendance and engagement resulting in improved outcomes across the four disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics amongst year 5/6 students in a remote community school on the Dampier Peninsula coast of Western Australia.