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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

General contractors: Working with area

This activity for grade six combines math, art, and writing, as students design a floor plan for a house and use calculations of area to arrive at a cost estimate.

A lesson plan for grade 6 Mathematics

By Kim Abrams, Mike McDowell, and Barbara Strange

Provided by CareerStart

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CareerStart lessons: Grade six
This collection of lessons aligns the sixth grade curriculum in math, science, English language arts, and social studies with potential career opportunities.
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This activity combines math, art, and writing, as students design a floor plan for a house and use calculations of area to arrive at a cost estimate. Following the activity, students reflect on the experience by answering questions about the skills and requirements of contractors. You may choose to do this activity after the end-of-grade tests as an enrichment activity when you can devote more time, energy, and effort.

Learning outcomes

  • Students will calculate the area of two-dimensional figures.
  • Students will understand how general contractors use math in their careers.

Teacher planning

Materials needed

  • Student handouts:
    • Example of a computer-generated floor plan
    • General contractor scenario and guidelines
    • Student reflection paper
  • Graph paper
  • Calculator

Time required for lesson

Approximately 2 class periods and homework time both nights

Procedure

  1. Conduct a class discussion about different careers in which a person might need to calculate area.
  2. Brainstorm the square footage of certain spaces: the classroom, an average-size apartment (about 1000-1200 square feet), a moderate-size home (1800-2400 square feet), etc. Then measure your classroom. Encourage your students to discuss room/house/lot sizes with their parents or guardians.
  3. Pass out the student handouts and graph paper, and explain the assignment scenario to the students: Students will work as general contractors for a local company that builds homes. The company’s rate for construction is $100 per square foot. Each student must draw the plans for a home that is approximately 2,000 square feet.
  4. Have the students design a home using the requirements from the student rubric/guidelines and then complete the reflection paper.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 6

  • Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will select and use appropriate tools to measure two- and three-dimensional figures.
    • Objective 2.02: Solve problems involving perimeter/circumference and area of plane figures.