• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Area of parallelograms using the perpendicular height; Area of triangles). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. A parallelogram has base 15 cm and perpendicular height 3 cm. Find its area in cm². → 45Prompt: Cut off a triangle from one end and move it to the other: you get a rectangle.
2. A parallelogram has area 21 m² and base 3 m. What is its perpendicular height, in m? → 7Prompt: Area = base × height, so height = area ÷ base.
3. A parallelogram has base 19 m and perpendicular height 14 m. Find its area in m². → 266Prompt: Cut off a triangle from one end and move it to the other: you get a rectangle.

• Show a photo of a building, a tile pattern or a road sign and ask what shapes and angles students can spot.
• Share the objective: Area of trapezoids (trapeziums). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: A trapezoid (trapezium) has parallel sides 7 m and 17 m, and height 8 m. Find its area in m².
• Step 1: (7 + 17) ÷ 2 = 12
• Step 2: 12 × 8 = 96 m²
• Answer: 96
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. A trapezoid (trapezium) has parallel sides 11 m and 15 m, and height 10 m. Find its area in m². → 130Prompt: Area = (a + b) ÷ 2 × h: the average of the parallel sides times the height.
2. A trapezoid has area 39 cm² and parallel sides 9 cm and 17 cm. What is its height, in cm? → 3Prompt: Find the average of the parallel sides first.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. A trapezoid (trapezium) has parallel sides 11 cm and 16 cm, and height 12 cm. Find its area in cm². → 162Prompt: Area = (a + b) ÷ 2 × h: the average of the parallel sides times the height.
2. A trapezoid has area 48 cm² and parallel sides 7 cm and 17 cm. What is its height, in cm? → 4Prompt: Find the average of the parallel sides first.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-6.