Grade 3

What is a perimeter?

perimeter

The total distance all the way around the outside of a shape.

For example

A square goat pen with 3 metre sides has a perimeter of 12 metres.

In Grade 3

Children measure real edges first, walking the sides of a yard or running string around a desk, before they add side lengths on paper.

Watch out for

Children often mix perimeter up with area. Perimeter is the walk around the edge. Area is the space inside it.

Say it at home

Ask your child to trace right around the edge of a table with one finger and count the sides out loud as they go.

Younger children may meet this as: distance around, way around.

Try it together

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