Design a Zoo Challenge: Area & Perimeter

Join this spring/summer camp to have fun learning about area and perimeter. By the end of this class, you will be an expert on both and ready to show others what you have learned. 

On the first day of camp, we will learn about perimeter. We will practice finding the perimeter with simple shapes and then move to real world word problems. After the group lesson and direct instruction, students will be put into break out rooms to practice word problems independently. I will meet with each one of them for a couple of minutes to make sure they understand the lesson. 

The second day of camp, we will learn about area. We will practice finding the area of simple shapes and then move to real world word problems. After the group lesson and direct instruction, students will be put into break out rooms to practice word problems independently. I will meet with each one of them for a couple of minutes to make sure they understand the lesson.

On the third day of camp, we will review perimeter and area. There will be a mixture of word problems where students will need to determine whether or not to find the area or perimeter and then work the problem. Then, I will introduce the zoo project and discuss the assignment. As in the first two days, I will place all the students into break out rooms where students will begin their projects. I will meet with each one to ensure they understand the assignment and are making progress. Students will finish designing their zoos for homework that day.

In this project based learning activity, students will design their own zoos using the supplied printouts and other materials listed below. The printouts are vital to this class! They must abide by the project guidelines, such as minimum size for animal enclosures, as they construct their zoos. After designing their zoos, students will list the area and perimeter of each animal enclosure to confirm that they are large enough! The students will also color and decorate their zoos. 

Finally, on the last day of camp, students will share their completed zoo designs with the group. If time allows, we will “visit” their zoos by watching a few short animal clips. 

*Students need to have mastery in addition and multiplication in order to do perimeter and area! ! If your child can not add and multiply independently, this is not the class for them. 

Supplies: Print outs from classroom, colored pencils, paper, pencil, scissors, glue, construction paper