Area and Perimeter Room Measurement

A tape measure

Graph paper

A pencil

Clipboard (optional but handy)

Calculator (optional)

Choose a rectangular room. Measure the length and width in feet.

Calculate perimeter: L + W + L + W. "How much baseboard would we need?"

Calculate area: L x W. "How much carpet covers the floor?"

Draw the room to scale on graph paper (1 square = 1 foot).

Measure more rooms. Compare.

"Which has the biggest area? Longest perimeter? Same room?"

Try an L-shaped room: break it into two rectangles and add the areas.

Start with a small, simple rectangular room. Bathrooms are perfect first measurements.

Drawing to scale on graph paper reinforces the connection between measurement and representation.

For L-shaped rooms, show how to divide into rectangles, calculate each, and add. This is a real-world composite area problem.

Discuss practical applications: "Carpet is sold by the square foot. Paint coverage is measured in square feet. Fencing is measured in linear feet (perimeter)."

For advanced kids, introduce volume: L x W x H. "How much air is in this room?"