Teaching Content 4

Area of parallelogram

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Students may not be comfortable in their attempt to develop the area of a parallelogram unless they have a prerequisite knowledge of related terms . It is only good that before embarking on teaching the formula for finding the area of a parallelogram , its definition and other essential definitions be clarified

Area is defined as the amount of space occupied or taken up in a plane by a figure . The area is given is square units for instance in2 , cm2

m2 . Students may want to know what the term `plane ' means here . The teacher may define it as a two-dimensional group of points that is made up of infinite lines . He may go ahead and name examples and allow students to name others . The teacher should correct the wrong answers Parallel lines are two or more coplanar lines that have no points in common or are identical . The teacher should ask students what a Perpendicular lines is . A correct response should be : two segments or lines that form a 90-degree angle . A student can draw this on the board as a demonstration . The teacher then asks what a parallelogram is it is a quadrilateral with both pairs of opposite lines parallel . A quadrilateral should be explained as a 4-sided shape

Prior knowledge of area of a triangle , square , rectangle and rhombus will facilitate the development of the formula . Students are likely to ask what a rhombus is and the teacher must explain this and its relationship to a parallelogram : A rhombus is a parallelogram with four equilateral sides . Another term is Angle : it is the union of 2 rays that have the same end point

Students may be asked to name various angles . Answers may include a cute , right , obtuse and reflex angles

In the attempt to introduce the formula for calculating the area of a parallelogram , the teacher can start by formulating the area of a triangle

Material : Use grid and pencil

Procedure : Draw a parallelogram and cut it into 2 equal triangles . A parallelogram can be cut out to create 2 equal triangles . And multiplying the area of one of the triangles by 2 can help get the area of a parallelogram . This will enhance the understanding of the concept of a parallelogram and the formula for finding its area

Below is a figure of a parallelogram

Fig .1

Materials

In explaining what a parallelogram is , a manila cut-out can be used as a model of a parallelogram . Remember it should be hang at a strategic place in front of the class

Models of a square , rectangle and triangle may be helpful . Geoboards can provide a fun way to learn about the concept of area . We can use a 25-pin geoboard . The pins are arranged as shown

Fig .2

The teacher , together with the learners uses a rubber band to create a number of shapes on the geoboard and they explore the areas using various units of measurements . A...