Looking for differentiated perimeter and area word problem worksheets for your classroom? Pop in to see what one teacher is using in her fourth grade classroom!
Ms. Sneed Chooses Perimeter and Area Word Problem Worksheets for Her Class
Our favorite fourth grade teacher sat at the side table with her teaching partner. “Time to ramp up our math curriculum with some differentiated perimeter and area word problem worksheets!” she said.
“What? Did you find something new?” asked Mr. Frank.
“Sure did.” Ms. Sneed turned her laptop so Mr. Frank could see the file. “Let me quickly highlight some of the pages.”
1. Perimeter and Area Word Problem Worksheet with a Calendar
She scrolled to the first activity. “As you can see, each of these worksheets features a picture of a calendar. At the basic level, students simply find the perimeter and area. However, at the challenging level, they make calculations for the calendar’s frame and subtract to solve for the calendar itself.”
Mr. Frank nodded. “I like the way everyone in the class uses the same problem – but the more difficult level provides much more challenge.”
2. How Much Carpet?
Again, Ms. Sneed scrolled. “For the second problem, kids use two different diagrams. At the basic level, they calculate the amount of carpet needed for a rectangular room. You can also notice that kids at this level must identify the problem as either area or perimeter.
“At the challenging level, the diagram is not a rectangle. Instead, kids must break the room’s shape into three rectangles, find the area of each, and then add.”
3. Calculating the Perimeter for Trim Around a Room
Quickly, Ms. Sneed continued. “The next problem uses the same diagrams. This time, however, students figure the amount of trim needed for the room.”
“Ah,” said Mr. Frank, ” I like it. They have to switch their thinking from area to perimeter.”
4. Figuring Brick Needed for an Entryway
“When they get to the fourth problem, things get more challenging for everyone. They need to find the area of an entryway. However, the width and length of that shape are not given. Instead, they need to look at the opposite wall and subtract.”
“Every year, that presents a real challenge for some kids,” said Mr. Frank. “They need that skill.”
Ms. Sneed nodded. “Also, at the challenging level, students need to figure how many bricks will be needed. Much more difficult.”
5. Perimeter and Area Word Problem Worksheets – Wall with Window(s)
As Ms. Sneed scrolled to the next worksheets, Mr. Frank chuckled. “Hey, this picture is familiar. It looks a lot like the problem our kids had on their standardized math test last year.”
“Yep. Students calculate the area of a wall. Then they calculate the size of each window in the wall and subtract. At the challenging level, they also need to figure how many cans of paint are needed.”
Mr. Frank let out a low whistle. “Wow, these problems will really make kids think!”
6. Surface Area & Wrapping Paper
With that, Ms. Sneed scrolled to the next set of word problems. “The next set of worksheets will be tough for our kids. Fortunately, two problems like this are included, so we can do one together and let them do the second independently.
“Students must calculate the area of all six sides of a box. Then they add them together to find the surface area. At the challenging level, they must also determine how many rolls of wrapping paper are needed.”
Mr. Frank’s eyes opened wide. “This set of problems will really give kids a math workout!”
7. Perimeter and Area Word Problem Worksheets with a Fence
“The next problem,” Ms. Sneed continued, “involves quite a bit of computation. Given the dimensions of the boards, students figure the area of the fence shown in the picture. At the basic level, they figure the area for one section, but at the challenging level, they calculate for all sixteen sections.”
“A little double-digit multiplication,” said Mr. Frank, smiling.
8. The Perimeter and Area Word Problem Worksheets Every Unit Needs
“And,” Ms. Sneed said with a grin, “a unit on perimeter and area would not be complete without this word problem!”
With just a glance, Mr. Frank recognized it. “The famous dog pen!” he exclaimed. “This activity makes kids draw all possible dimensions for a fence with sixteen sections. They find the area for each. Then they discover that the largest area for any perimeter is a square.”
Enjoy Teaching
Ms. Sneed’s grin widened. “This set of perimeter and area word problem worksheets has a few more worksheets as well. It will give our kids plenty of practice.”
“And plenty of challenge,” Mr. Frank added.
