Want more ideas and freebies?
Get my free resource library with digital & print activities—plus tips over email.
Join for free resources →Get the Lesson Materials
Area of Parallelograms, Trapezoids, Rectangles Guided Notes Doodles | Worksheet
$4.25
Overview
- Standards: CCSS 6.G.A.1, CCSS 7.G.B.6
- Unit: 6th Grade → Unit 7: Geometry
- Grade: 6th Grade
Get the Lesson Materials
Area of Parallelograms, Trapezoids, Rectangles Guided Notes Doodles | Worksheet
$4.25
Learning Objectives
After this lesson, students will be able to:
- Calculate the area of parallelograms, trapezoids, and rectangles using the appropriate formulas
- Explain the real-life applications of area involving parallelograms, trapezoids, and rectangles
Prerequisites
Before this lesson, students should be familiar with:
- How to differentiate between parallelograms, rectangles, and trapezoids
- Knowledge of basic multiplication and addition skills for whole numbers
- Understanding of basic algebraic concepts, such as substituting values into formulas
Materials
- Pencils
- Colored pencils or markers
- Guided notes
Key Vocabulary
- Parallelogram
- Trapezoid
- Rectangles
Procedure
Introduction
As a hook, ask students why it is important to calculate the area of different polygons, specifically quadrilaterals, in real-life situations. Refer to the last page of the guided notes as well as the FAQs below for ideas.
Use the first page of the guided notes to introduce the formulas for finding the area of rectangles, parallelograms, and trapezoids. Walk through the key points of finding the length and width of a rectangle and using the formula A = l * w to calculate its area. Then, walk through the key points of identifying the base and height of a parallelogram and using the formula A = b * h to find its area. Then, walk through the key points of identifying the bases, height, and average of the bases of a trapezoid, and using the formula A = (b1 + b2) * h / 2 to calculate its area. For each polygon, students will take notes on the formula and also practice an example for a rectangle, parallelogram, and trapezoid.
Based on student responses, reteach concepts that students need extra help with. If your class has a wide range of proficiency levels, you can pull out students for reteaching, and have more advanced students begin work on the practice exercises.
Practice
Have students practice finding the area of parallelograms, trapezoids, and rectangles using the practice sheet on page 2. This activity allows students to apply the concepts they learned in the guided notes and practice calculating the area of different polygons.
Walk around the classroom to answer any student questions and provide individual support as needed. Fast finishers can dive into the color by number and maze activity for extra practice. This maze requires students to calculate the area of different shapes and find the correct path to reach the end. You can assign it as homework for the remainder of the class to reinforce their understanding of finding the area of parallelograms, trapezoids, and rectangles.
Real-Life Application
Use the last page of the guided notes "real life applications" to bring the class back together, and introduce the concept of real-life applications of calculating the area of different polygons, specifically quadrilaterals. Explain to students that understanding how to find the area of shapes can be useful in many real-life situations.
Ask students if they can think of any real-life situations where knowing how to calculate area would be important. Encourage students to share their ideas and write them on the board. Some examples may include:
- Carpeting a room: Knowing the area of a room can help determine how much carpet is needed.
- Painting a wall: Calculating the area of a wall can help determine how much paint is needed.
- Gardening: Finding the area of a garden bed can help determine how much soil or mulch is needed.
- Building a fence: Understanding the area can help determine how much material is needed to build a fence.
Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for additional ideas on how to teach real-life applications of finding the area of polygons.
Extensions
Additional Self-Checking Digital Practice
If you’re looking for digital practice for area of parallelograms, trapezoids, and rectangles, try my Pixel Art activities in Google Sheets. Every answer is automatically checked, and correct answers unlock parts of a mystery picture. It’s incredibly fun, and a powerful tool for differentiation.
Here is an activity to explore:
Additional Print Practice
A fun, no-prep way to practice area of parallelograms, trapezoids, and rectangles is Doodle Math — they’re a fresh take on color by number or color by code. It includes multiple levels of practice, perfect for a review day or sub plan.
Here is one activity to try:
FAQs
To find the area of a parallelogram, you can use the formula: Area = base × height. The base is the length of one side of the parallelogram, and the height is the perpendicular distance between the base and the opposite side.
To calculate the area of a trapezoid, you can use the formula: Area = ½ × (base1 + base2) × height. The bases are the parallel sides of the trapezoid, and the height is the perpendicular distance between the bases.
A parallelogram is a quadrilateral with opposite sides that are parallel, while a rectangle is a type of parallelogram that has four right angles. In other words, all rectangles are parallelograms, but not all parallelograms are rectangles.
To find the area of a rectangle, you can use the formula: Area = length × width. The length is the longer side of the rectangle, and the width is the shorter side.
Yes, there are many real-life applications for finding the area of quadrilaterals. Here are a few examples:
- Calculating the amount of paint needed to cover the walls of a room.
- Determining the amount of fabric needed to make a rectangular tablecloth.
- Estimating the size of a field for planting crops.
Guided notes can be an effective teaching tool for the area of parallelograms, trapezoids, and rectangles. Here are some tips on how to use them:
- Start by providing a brief overview of the topic and the formulas.
- Fill in the guided notes together as a class, explaining any key concepts or steps.
- Encourage students to actively participate by asking and answering questions.
- Use examples and visual aids to reinforce understanding.
- Provide opportunities for students to practice applying the formulas with guided practice worksheets.
In addition to guided notes, there are many other resources you can use to teach the area of quadrilaterals. Here are a few examples:
- Interactive online activities or games that allow students to practice calculating the area.
- Real-life examples or scenarios that require students to find the area of quadrilaterals.
- Manipulatives or physical models that allow students to visualize and explore the concept of area.
There are several ways to assess students' understanding of the area of parallelograms, trapezoids, and rectangles. Here are some suggestions:
- Give students quizzes or tests that require them to calculate the area of various quadrilaterals.
- Assign homework problems that involve finding the area of quadrilaterals.
- Have students complete real-life application tasks or projects that require them to apply their knowledge of area.
- Use formative assessments, such as exit tickets or quick checks for understanding, to gauge students' comprehension throughout the lesson.