Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Students are asked to measure the perimeter, area and volume of a range of garden bed shapes. They are also asked to explore how these shapes affect the materials required for creating garden beds and the number of vegetables that can be planted. As a result of this activity students are encouraged to apply their learning and build a garden of their own.
Learning goals:
- Students use perimeter, area and volume to measure a variety of shapes.
- Students learn how to build a vegetable patch and plant out vegetables.
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Mathematics Year 8
- Find perimeters and areas of parallelograms, trapeziums, rhombuses and kites (ACMMG196)
- Develop the formulas for volumes of rectangular and triangular prisms and prisms in general. Use formulas to solve problems involving volume (ACMMG198)
Topic: Sustainability
Time required: 60 mins+ time for extension questions, depending on what is chosen for the students to complete.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium
Resources required: Student worksheet, rulers, graph paper.
Digital learning opportunities:
Homework and extension opportunities: Students can create any shape bed and plant out with vegetables. They can also price soil and wood and find out the amount and cost of materials required for the vegetable patch they have created. See the extension questions included.
Key words: Mathematics, garden, garden bed, perimeter, area, volume, geometry.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.