Finding Area and Perimeter in a Miniature House Using Standardized Units 

June Muhammad                  Park Manor
                               7037 S. Rhodes
                               Chicago, Ill 60637
                               (312) 535-3070

Objectives:

Finding area and perimeter in a miniature house using standardized units of 
  measurements.
Students are able to conserve and understand that the length of an object 
  remains the same regardless of the changes that occur in its position.
Students experience hands on measurement in finding perimeters, width and 
  length. 

Materials needed:
                                            
Glue                                      Masking tape
Staple gun                                Medium heavy white tag board for tile
Corrugated small size furniture           One television for each house
One box for each house                    Cotton for stuffing felt pillows
One chair for each house                  Index cards
Thread                                    Pencils
Utility knife for teacher only            Scissors
Measuring tape                            Rulers
Felt for covering furniture               Stars
Sample carpet pieces                                               

Strategy: 

Children are separated into groups of four students.  Each group is given a 
medium size box.  Two students are to measure the walls and two are to measure 
the floor area. These measurements are double checked by other team members for 
accuracy.  The measurements are given to the "General Merchant" storekeeper.  
    
If these measurements don't agree with the storekeeper's measurements, then the 
students need to rethink the formula for finding area and perimeter.  No goods 
such as carpet, wallcovering, glue, brushes or masking tape will be exchanged 
for incorrect measurements.  Students who measure accurately the first time 
receive a star on the far end of an index card or next to their measurements. 
(Please allow a small margin for error.)
 
As an added bonus, students will receive free furnishings. 
 
Furnishings: Corrugated television sets, couches, felt pillows, chairs, tables 
and felt area rugs.
 
Conclusions:
 
This activity is a cooperative effort as well as cooperative learning.  Students 
will marvel at the successful outcomes of finding area and perimeters upon 
completion of their miniature house.  We can also assume that students will 
internalize the formula of width times length for area and addition for 
perimeter by doing this hands on activity.