How difficult is it to calculate the area of a U-shaped figure? Scholars use a helpful video to see how to determine an algebraic expression for the area of an U-shaped composite figure. The method it shows involves decomposing the...

To solve or not to solve that is the problem. A slide presentation of 17 items show different ways that Smarter Balanced assesses Claim 2, problem solving. The items span from sixth and seventh grade concepts to highlight the...

The formula works no matter the shape of the base. A short video shows how to find the volume of a prism when the base is a composite shape created by rectangles. Handouts provide the class members opportunities to practice the skill and...

Just how much spray paint does a mural require? Using proportions, graffiti artists determine the amount of supplies needed to complete a mural. The creative resource shows how to determine the area of composite figures and uses that...

You'd be surprised what you can do with a string! The constraint is the length of string, and the task is to maximize area. Given a series of composite shapes, learners must create a formula for the maximum area for a specified...

Think about your shapes as tangrams as you find their areas! Scholars learn to decompose L-shaped compound figures to find their areas. A video shows how to break the figure into rectangles, and learners practice using the included...

Composite figures—because everything isn't shaped like a rectangle, triangle, or circle. Learners practice separating compound shapes into something more manageable. A video shows them how to make the calculations, and worksheets give...

Dig deep into a lesson studying volume. Learners view images of a Guatemalan sinkhole that seems too big to be true! Their task is to determine the amount of material needed to fill the hole using information from news articles and videos.

You won't want to flush a great lesson down the drain! An intriguing resource asks learners to predict the number of sheets of toilet paper on a roll. Presented with the dimensions of the roll and one sheet of paper, scholars make...

Investigate the volume of irregular figures in an inquiry-based exercise. Presented with an irregularly shaped box filled with water, learners must predict the level of water when it is tipped on its side. The class can divide the figure...

Combine the formulas to arrive at one volume. Using the formulas for different solids, the video introduces finding the volume of composite solids. The portion of an extensive playlist on geometry works a couple of problems, one with an...

To find the whole, add and subtract the pieces. A portion of a massive geometry playlist shows how to approach finding the area of a composite figure. The resource works with a couple different composite shapes to find their areas.

Catch them in the act of problem solving! Young scholars become security personnel for the day as they use their geometry skills to determine the best placement for security cameras. Given rooms of different shapes, learners must...

Pupils use a parallelogram containing intersecting line segments to identify two similar triangles. They justify the similarity and use it to find a missing length.

Find two similar triangles in plane sight. Given a figure composed of a parallelogram and a triangle, pupils identify two similar triangles and provide an explanation. Class members use the similar triangles to find two missing side...

So we don't have to paint the entire wall? Groups measure a classroom wall and aspects of the wall that would not be painted. Using the measurements, teams determine the area of the wall that would be covered in paint. The lesson is the...

Determine whether the class can find area and perimeters with and without using coordinates. The 11th portion of a 22-part unit contains three questions that require pupils to find areas of triangles and composed figures within...

The 15th in a series of 22 has pupils calculate the volume of sandboxes and fish tanks. Class members find out how much each will hold at various levels of being full, then they use the volume formulas to find volumes of composite 3-D...

Find areas of figures where the sides are not horizontal or vertical. The eighth segment in a 22-part series presents figures on grids that have sides that are neither horizontal nor vertical. Pupils devise methods to compose or...

Perimeter check! Pairs work on finding the areas of semicircles and quarter circles using a relationship with squares. The problems challenge pupils to find areas of composite figures made from rectangles, semicircles, and quarter circles. 

Determine the level of understanding within your classes using a summative assessment. As the final lesson in a 29-part module, the goal is to assess the topics addressed during the unit. Concepts range from linear angle relationships,...

Uncover strategies for finding areas of composite figures. The 23rd instructional activity in a 29-part module has young mathematicians decompose figures to find total area. Figures decompose to rectangles and circular regions.

Most objects have irregular dimensions — you just have to find them! Teach your class how to find the volume of composite objects that can be decomposed into prisms. Objects get increasingly more complex as the lesson progresses.