Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
CCSSM: Grade 6
Domain: Expressions and Equations
Cluster: Reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities.
Standard: 6.EE.7 Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations
of the form x + p = q and px = q for cases in which p, q, and x are all nonnegative rational
numbers.
CCSSM: Grade 4
DOMAIN: Measurement and Data
Cluster: Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements for a
larger unit to a smaller unit.
Standard: 4.MD.3 Apply the area and perimeter formulas for rectangles in real world and
mathematical problems.
Clarification: The clarification is an explanation of the indicator and objective and how these
math concepts appear in the puzzle.
Materials and/or Set Up: Welcome to Farmer Joe’s Farm; Farmer Joe’s Rabbit Pen; Finding
Area and Perimeter; Finding Area and Perimeter Answers; Interactive Resource 1; Work
Order for Interactive Resource 1; Interactive Resource 2; Work Order for Interactive Resource
2; Interactive Resource 2 Answers; Square blocks; Interactive Resource 3 – Levels 1, 2, and 3;
Work Orders for Interactive Resource 3 – Levels 1, 2, and 3 Interactive Resource 3 – Levels 1,
2, 3 Answers
Relevant Vocabulary: area, dimension, formula, length, perimeter, width
Note to Teacher – Students should have attempted levels 1, 2 and 3 of the Garden puzzle before
this lesson is implemented.
In the implementation of this lesson, it is recommended that the Interactive Resources be
projected to encourage a rich and active discussion of math strategies and concepts.
Activities:
1. After students have played levels 1, 2, and 3 of the Garden puzzle, ask them to share
their experiences and insights into the relationships between area and perimeter.
2. Pair students and have them work with a partner to complete #1 on Welcome to Farmer
Joe’s Farm. Ask students to share their findings. Record the results. (1 by 8; 2 by 7; 3 by
6; 4 by 5)
3. Have students recognize that there are 4 possible rectangles that can be formed using 18
pieces of fence. Ask students: What is the distance around each of the possible
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
rectangles? (18 meters) What is the term used to name the distance around a rectangle?
(perimeter)
4. Using Farmer Joe’s Rabbit Pen, work as a class to complete #2 (14 rabbits). Discuss
with students how they determined their answer. (The number of square meters would be
14. Multiply length by width or draw a picture and count the number of squares).
5. Explain to students that the area of a rectangle is the number of square units that cover the
rectangle. Ask students: What would the area of a 3 meter by 6 meter rectangle be? (18
m2) What about a 4 meter by 5 meter pen? (20 m2) Of the four rectangles with a perimeter
of 18, which rectangle has the largest area? (The 4 meter by 5 meter rectangle)
6. Have students work with their partner to complete #3 on Welcome to Farmer Joe’s Farm.
(14 meters of fencing; 3 meters by 4 meters)
7. Ask the students to define perimeter to a partner. Ask students: How is the perimeter of a
rectangle determined? Discuss the various forms of the perimeter formula as a class. [P =
l + w + l + w or P = 2l + 2w or P = 2(l + w)]. Ask the students: How could you find the
area of a rectangle, given the length and width of the rectangle? (The area is the number of
squares that cover a region. Area can be found by counting the squares in the rectangle or
by multiplying the length and the width.) Discuss the area formula, A = lw.
8. Using Finding Area and Perimeter, complete Section A as a class. Have students
complete Section B with a partner and Section C independently.
9. Display Interactive Resource 1 and distribute Work Order for Interactive Resource 1.
Ask the students to locate the work order for Blotchweed. (Number of Blotchweed plants
is 16; fencing units is 20.) Facilitate a class discussion to determine the dimensions of the
rectangular plot for the Blotchweed (2 units by 8 units.) Discuss ways in which the
dimensions could be determined. (Square tiles could be used to represent the garden
plots. A list could be generated of all possible dimensions for the perimeter and then
checked to determine which dimensions also work for the area. A list could be generated
of all possible dimensions for the area and then checked to determine which dimensions
also work for the perimeter. The perimeter could be divided by two to determine the sum
of the length and width. Factors of this sum could be found that yield the area.)
10. Ask the students to find the dimensions of the Prickletoe plot. (Work order says 28 plants
and 22 fence lengths; dimension of the plot is 7 units by 4 units). Discuss the various
places that this plot could go without encompassing any garden trolls. (This plot could be
placed vertically in the middle of the screen at the top of the garden to the right of the
group of 8 garden trolls, or horizontally in the middle left of the screen under the group of
8 garden trolls.)Ask students: What would happen if a garden troll is enclosed in the
garden? (On level 1, each garden troll takes the place of one plant and when enclosed will
eat part of the crops)
11. Facilitate a discussion to guide students to complete the remaining work orders.
Name of Plant
Number of Plants
Blotchweed
Prickletoe
Slugroot
Fungwort
16
28
12
4
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Number of Fence
Lengths
20
22
16
8
Dimensions of
Garden Plot
2x8
4x7
2x6
2x2
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Purple Night
6
10
2x3
12. Display Interactive Resource 2A and distribute Work Order for 2B. Have students work
with a partner to follow the work order to determine the dimensions and placement of
each plot. Display Interactive Resource 2B Answers and discuss. Ask students how this
work plan differs from the last one. (This puzzle is a level 2 puzzle which means the
placement of each plot is more challenging than in level 1. The garden trolls still eat the
plants if they are enclosed in a plot.)
Name of Plant
Number of Plants
Blotchweed
Prickletoe
Slugroot
Fungwort
Purple Night
24
21
12
8
21
Number of Fence
Lengths
22
20
14
12
20
Dimensions of
Garden Plot
3x8
3x7
3x4
2x4
3x7
Differentiation Suggestions:
1. For students who need additional assistance with the concepts:
 Give students a set of 12 square blocks. Instruct them to look at one block. Ask
students: What is the perimeter (4) and what is the area (1)?
 Pose a series of questions, changing the dimensions and size of the figure by adding to
the number of blocks you use. Ask students what perimeter and area of each figure is.
Discuss patterns.
Ask students: What is the shape that you can make that has the largest area for 12
blocks? (Dimensions of 3 x 4). What is the perimeter of this shape? (14)
 Ask students to each make a different-shaped figure that uses all 12 blocks. Ask them
to determine the perimeter and area of each figure.
 As an alternative, use graph paper, with shading figures or geo boards.
2. Display Interactive Resource 3A (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3) and distribute Work Order
for 3B (Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.) Have the students work in pairs or individually to
find the dimensions of each of the five plots and determine the appropriate placement for
each plot. Use level 1 for students who may need more assistance or time; level 2 for
students who are more comfortable with the material, and level 3 for students who are
ready for a challenge. Encourage the students to show their work. Have students share
their answers and display Interactive Resource 3B Answers for Levels 1, 2, and/or 3 so
that students can see garden configurations.
(Answers: Level 1, Dimensions of Garden Plot: Blotchweed, 6 x7; Prickletoe, 2 x 3;
Slugroot, 2 x 4; Fungwort, 1 x 12; Purple Night, 2 x 2 –Level 2, Dimensions of Garden
Plot: Blotchweed, 3 x 4; Prickletoe, 2 x 10; Slugroot, 2 x 3; Fungwort 4 x 4; Purple
Night, 5 x 6 –Level 3, Dimensions of Garden Plot: Blotchweed, 3 x 8 with 2 gnomes
enclosed; Prickletoe, 2 x 7; Slugroot, 4 x 4 with 3 gnomes enclosed; Fungwort, 2 x 3;
Purple Night, 1 x 4 with 2 gnomes enclosed)
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Assessment
 Distribute Assessment resource sheet.

Answers:
1. 62 units
2. 30
Follow Up:


Have the students return to the puzzle to apply what they learned in the lesson. Ask:
Did the lesson help you to clarify the math in the puzzle? How? What other strategies
could you have used to help you solve the puzzle? Additionally, check teacher stats in
the game to determine students’ level of understanding.
Provide the students with this scenario:
The perimeter of a vegetable garden is 24 units and the length is twice the width.
What are the dimensions of this garden? What is the area? Use what you know about
area to explain how you determined the dimensions and the area. Use words, numbers,
and/or symbols in your explanation.
(Since the length is twice the width, let the width be represented as w and the
length
2 x w, or 2w. In order to find the perimeter, add all of the sides which would be:
w + 2w + w + 2w = perimeter
6w = 24
6w 24

6
6
w = 4 and l = 8
or
Given that the perimeter was 24 units, make a list of all possible dimensions of a
rectangle with this perimeter. (1 x 11; 2 x 10; 3 x 9; 4 x 8; 5 x 7; 6 x 6)
After making the list, examine the relationship between the length and the width.
(Only the 4 x 8 rectangle has a length that is twice its width.)
Real World Connection:

Provide students with this scenario:
Ms. Buckley buys a rug for her rectangular classroom. The rug covers the entire room
perfectly! The area of the rug is 140 square feet. If the width of the classroom is 10
feet, what is the perimeter of the classroom? (48 feet)
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Welcome to Farmer Joe’s Farm
1. Farmer Joe is planning to build a rabbit pen. He has 18 sections of fence, each 1 meter long.
What are the various sizes of rectangular pens that Farmer Joe can make using all 18 units of
fence?
Show your work here:
2. One rabbit needs 1 square meter of space to live comfortably. For example, if Farmer Joe
decided to build a pen that is 1 meter wide by 8 meters long, the pen would enclose eight square
meters and eight rabbits could live in it.
How many rabbits would be able to fit into a pen that is 2 meters by 7 meters? Use numbers,
symbols and/or words to explain how you determined the answer.
Show your work here:
3. Farmer Joe’s brother, Farmer Frank, would like to make a rectangular pen for his 12 rabbits.
He would like to buy the fewest meters of fencing and build a pen that can comfortably house his
rabbits. Remember, each rabbit needs 1 square meter of space. How many meters of fencing
should he buy? What are the dimensions of the pen he should make?
Show your work here:
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Farmer Joe’s Rabbit Pen
1
meter
8 meters
Each rabbit needs
one square meter
of space inside
the pen!
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Finding Area and Perimeter
Directions: Find Area and Perimeter, as indicated, in each figure below.
Section A
1. Find the Perimeter of the rectangle below.
Area = 36 in2
Width = ?
Perimeter = _________
Length = 9 inches
2. Find the Area of the square below.
Side = 4 cm
Area = ______________
Section B
3. Find the Perimeter of the square below, given that the Area = 25 m2.
Area =
25 m2
Perimeter = _________
4. Find the Area of the rectangle below, given that the perimeter is 30 cm.
width = 4 cm
Area = ______________
length = ?
Section C
5. Find the Perimeter of the rectangle below.
Area = 15 in2
Perimeter = _________
Length = 5 in
6. Find the Area of the square below, given that the perimeter is 40 feet.
Area = ______________
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Finding Area and Perimeter Answers
Directions: Find Area and Perimeter, as indicated, in each figure below.
Section A
1. Find the Perimeter of the rectangle below.
Area = 36 in2
Width = ?
26 inches
Perimeter = _________
Length = 9 inches
7. Find the Area of the square below.
16 cm2
Area = ______________
Side = 4 cm
Section B
8. Find the Perimeter of the square below, given that the Area = 25 m2.
Area =
25 m2
20 m
Perimeter = _________
9. Find the Area of the rectangle below, given that the perimeter is 30 cm.
width = 4 cm
44 cm2
Area = ______________
length = ?
Section C
10. Find the Perimeter of the rectangle below.
Area = 15 in2
16 inches
Perimeter = _________
Length = 5 in
11. Find the Area of the square below, given that the perimeter is 40 feet.
100 ft.2
Area = ______________
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Work Order for Interactive Resource 1
Name of Plant
Blotchweed
Prickletoe
Slugroot
Fungwort
Purple Night
Copyright 2012 Maryland Public Television
Number
of Plants
Number of
Fence Lengths
16
20
28
22
12
16
4
8
6
10
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Dimensions of
Garden Plot
Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Work Order for Interactive Resource 2
Name of Plant
Number of
Plants
Number of
Fence Lengths
Blotchweed
24
22
Prickletoe
21
20
Slugroot
12
14
Fungwort
8
12
Purple Night
21
20
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Dimensions of
Garden Plot
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Interactive Resource 2 - Answers
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Work Order for Interactive Resource 3 – Level 1
Name of Plant
Number of
Plants
Number of
Fence Lengths
Blotchweed
42
26
Prickletoe
6
10
Slugroot
8
12
Fungwort
12
26
Purple Night
4
8
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Dimensions of
Garden Plot
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Interactive Resource 3 Level 1 Answers
(Other possible configurations exist, but the dimensions of each plot should be the same as below)
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Work Order for Interactive Resource 3– Level 2
Name of Plant
Number of
Plants
Number of
Fence Lengths
Blotchweed
12
14
Prickletoe
20
24
Slugroot
6
10
Fungwort
16
16
Purple Night
30
22
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Dimensions of
Garden Plot
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Interactive Resource 3 Level 2-Possible Answers
(Different configurations can exist but the dimensions should remain the same)
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Interactive Resource 3 Level 2-Possible Answers
(Different configurations can exist but the dimensions should remain the same)
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Work Order for Interactive Resource 3 – Level 3
Name of Plant
Number of
Plants
Number of
Fence Lengths
Blotchweed
22
22
Prickletoe
14
18
Slugroot
13
16
Fungwort
6
10
Purple Night
2
10
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Dimensions of
Garden Plot
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Interactive Resource 3 Level 3 - Possible Answers
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Lesson Plan
Garden Grade 6 Area and Perimeter
Assessment
1. The area of a rectangle is 30 square units. What is the largest possible perimeter
of the rectangle?
a.
b.
c.
d.
62 units
34 units
26 units
22 units
2. The front door of a house is broken and needs to be replaced. The perimeter of the
door is 26 feet. If the width of the door is 3 feet, what is the door’s area in square
feet?
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