Mathematics / Year 4 / Measurement

Curriculum content descriptions

recognise ways of measuring and approximating the perimeter and area of shapes and enclosed spaces, using appropriate formal and informal units (AC9M4M02)

Elaborations
  • recognising that perimeter is the sum of the lengths that form the boundary of a shape or enclosed space; choosing suitable units from a range of objects to measure around the boundary of a shape such as a garden bed; comparing the results to say which unit was an appropriate choice for the context; using a piece of string or rope to measure the perimeter of irregular shapes and enclosed spaces, including those that have curved sections
  • creating a range of rectangles representing “paddocks” on grid paper and establishing different methods of working out the length of the boundary fences; explaining that the more efficient methods involve adding the side lengths rather than counting squares
  • recognising that area is the space enclosed by the boundary of a shape or the surface of an object; measuring and comparing the area of shapes, using an array of paper tiles or mosaic squares, including part units to fill gaps at the edge of the shapes; comparing the total areas by combining the fractional parts to make whole units
  • demonstrating how to use one unit repeatedly to measure the area of a shape; for example, using one paper square to measure and compare the area of a rectangle and a triangle; recording and explaining how they used part units to give a more accurate measure, and why they needed to ensure there were no gaps or overlaps
  • investigating the ways First Nations Ranger Groups and other groups measure areas of land to make decisions about fire burns to care for Country/Place
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Numeracy Numeracy
ScOT terms

Units of measurement,  Area,  Perimeter

Video

Exploring mysterious shapes

Join QuanQuan and Jenny as they explore some weird and wonderful shapes! While watching this clip, think about the sides, edges, surfaces and volumes of the shapes that are demonstrated. How are these shapes different from regular 2D and 3D forms?

Text

Sizing Them Up

This resource is a web page containing a short task to explore area of irregular shapes by informal means. Arrange irregular shapes in size order smallest to largest. This resource is an activity from the NRICH website.

Interactive

Finding the area of compound shapes

Find the area of compound shapes based on rectangles on a grid. Explore how the formula works for finding a rectangle's area. First, estimate the area of a compound shape based on rectangles on a grid. Second, work out the correct formula for finding area by placing rows and columns of squares inside two rectangles. Then, ...

Online

reSolve: Authentic Problems: Expanded Square

This sequence of four lessons explores concepts around informal area and symmetry. Students design an 'expanded square' where approximately half the area of the original square is flipped to the outside. The lessons provide opportunities for students to devise and use methods to informally measure area, record their mathematical ...

Interactive

Introduction to polygons

Try this tutorial to test your knowledge of polygons (straight-sided shapes).

Downloadable

Leaf task

Use this diagnostic task to assess understanding of area and measuring the area of an irregular shape.

Video

Area and perimeter video

Use this video to connect area and perimeter to real world applications to set the context for why we are learning about area and perimeter.

Downloadable

Make a measuring jug

Use this diagnostic task to assess a student's understanding of capacity and the calibrated scale on a measuring jug.

Online

Area and perimeter: Year 4 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 4 is for the topic of Area and perimeter. Students estimate and measure perimeter and area using informal and formal units.

Downloadable

Tiling problem

Use this diagnostic task to assess if students use an array structure when working out how many tiles fit in a rectangle.

Video

Mixed Up Maths, Ep 7: Daredevil geometry

What does a daredevil jumps rider need to know about geometry? Find out as we discover angles for take off and for landing. But before we do that sit down for some angles basics! A good place to start is angles of turn through a circle from a 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, all the way to one full turn. See how many each represents as an angle.

Video

Mixed Up Maths, Ep 1: Monumental measurement mess ups

Did you know that in Australia we use a metric system for measurement? See if you know the units of measurement for length, mass and volume. Find out what system the United States uses. You guessed it - they don't use the metric system! See how a mix up of these units can cause all kinds of mess ups.

Video

For the Juniors: Drawing a floor plan

How do we know what a house will look like before it is built? Discover how house plans work by looking at the design of a house that Hugo's family is going to build. See how a floor plan shows the room layout. See drawings of what the house will look like from different views.

Video

For the Juniors: Measure ingredients to make a cake

Sarah is following a recipe. There are some different units of measure used in the recipe. Watch the video to see what these measurement words are. How much of each ingredient is needed? How are the ingredients combined to make the cake?

Video

Right angle or acute angle?

What's the difference between a right angle and an acute angle? Find out!

Interactive

Time tools: 24-hour to the minute: time challenge

Use this tool to match clock times to the time presented on a Master clock. This learning object is one in a series of twelve learning objects.

Interactive

Area explorer

This is an interactive resource about calculating the area of a shape presented on a grid. Students are presented with a random figure and are required to calculate its area, in square units. Immediate feedback is provided and the student can make repeated attempts if a question is not answered correctly. The additional ...

Online

Primary mathematics: games, simulations and modelling

These seven learning activities, which focus on 'games, simulations and modelling' using a variety of tools (software) and devices (hardware), illustrate the ways in which content, pedagogy and technology can be successfully and effectively integrated in order to promote learning. In the activities, teachers use games, ...

Online

reSolve: Measurement - Parcel in the Post

This lesson challenges students to find the most cost-efficient way to package a variety of items to send in the post. Students are provided with a matrix of parcel postage charges and a variety of different possible parcels. They categorise the parcels, measure their dimensions and weights and then calculate the postage ...

Online

TIMES Module 3: Measurement and Geometry: time - teacher guide

This is a 20-page guide for teachers containing an introduction to the units of time and how to measure time. Time between events, time lines and timetables are considered. A brief history of the development of these concepts concludes the module.