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Perimeter and area of rectangles in the school compound

By OtisamLMS · 21 Oct 2026

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Subject
Mathematics · JHS
Year
JHS 1
Week
Term 2 · Week 2
Lessons
4 × 50 min
Class size
40
Strand
Geometry and measurement
Sub-strand
Measurement: perimeter and area
Content standard
Learners measure and calculate the perimeter and area of rectangles and solve related problems.
Key words
lengthbreadthperimeterareasquare metreestimate

Learning indicators

  • Measure lengths in metres and centimetres accurately
  • Calculate the perimeter and area of a rectangle
  • Tell perimeter and area apart and choose the right one for a problem

Core competencies

  • Collaboration
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Creativity

Resources

  • Measuring tapes or knotted ropes marked every metre
  • Square grids drawn on cardboard (1 cm squares)
  • Chalk for marking the ground

Lesson flow

  1. 1Starter

    Ask: the school wants to fence the garden and plant grass on it. Is the fence the same thing as the grass? Learners discuss for two minutes; collect the words 'around' and 'covering'.

  2. 2Main activities

    1. Groups measure one rectangle each outside (garden bed, classroom floor, door, notice board) and sketch it with the measurements. 2. Back in class, groups find the distance around their shape and share the method; agree on perimeter = 2 × (length + breadth). 3. On the square grids, learners draw rectangles of 3 by 4 and 2 by 6 and count squares. Ask why both have the same area but different perimeters. 4. Agree on area = length × breadth and its units (square metres). 5. Groups work out the cost of fencing and of grass for their rectangle using prices written on the board.

  3. 3Reflection

    Each learner completes: "Perimeter is used when… Area is used when…" and gives one example from home.

Assessment

Five questions: two perimeter, two area, and one that asks which to use (e.g. tiling a floor). Check units in every answer.

Differentiation

Support: use the grid cards throughout and only whole-number lengths. Extension: find three rectangles with a perimeter of 24 m and say which has the largest area.

Homework

Measure your bed or a table at home with a string and a ruler, then find its perimeter and area.

Teacher notes

Ask the headteacher in advance for permission to use the compound. Keep groups to five or fewer.
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