Park Architects
GRADES 3-5

Park Architects

Driving Question:

How can area and perimeter help us design the best park?

Activity Overview:

Park Architects, the city needs your help! Students explore how area and perimeter are used to design real-world spaces, then take on the challenge of fitting at least five park features into a city lot. Using the ChompSaw, students build a cardboard park model from their blueprint, then measure each section and calculate area and perimeter. The lesson wraps up with a Park Design Showcase where students tour each other's parks and reflect on what makes a smart design.

Vocabulary
Assessment

Learning Objectives

  • I can explain the difference between area and perimeter.
  • I can calculate the area and perimeter of rectangles.
  • I can design and build a model community park.
  • I can measure my model and use area and perimeter to describe my design.

Slide Deck

Get The Slides

Full Materials List

Lesson Plan

Lesson Slides

Vocabulary Slides for frontloading

Park Planning Sheet

1 per student

Park Measurement Sheet

1 per student

Park Design Showcase Sheet

1 per 2 students

Assessment

1 per student

Chompsaw(s)

1 per 5 students

Tape, glue

1 per student

Rulers

1 per student

Decorations (markers, felt, construction paper, etc)

Class materials to share

Cardboard

2 identical rectangular pieces per student

Preview/Background Knowledge

  • Students should be able to identify basic 2D shapes including rectangles and squares
  • Students should have a basic understanding of multiplication and be able to apply it to simple two-factor problems
  • Students should be able to measure length using a ruler to the nearest half inch
  • Students should have an introductory understanding of what area and perimeter mean, even if they have not yet used formulas
Prep Instructions

1. Print Student Materials

  • Print the following materials before class:
    • Park Planning Sheet (1 per student)
    • Park Measurement Sheet (1 per student)
    • Park Design Showcase Sheet (1 per student)
    • Assessment (optional) (1 per student)

2. Prepare Cardboard

  • Each student needs two identical rectangles of cardboard.
    • One piece serves as the park base (city property).
    • The second piece is cut apart to create the individual park sections.
  • Pre-cut cardboard to matching sizes before class to save time.

3. Gather Building Materials

  • For each student or group, prepare:
    • 2 identical pieces of cardboard
    • 1 ChompSaw
    • Glue and tape
    • Rulers
    • Pencils
  • Optional decorating supplies:
    • Markers
    • Construction paper
    • Popsicle sticks
    • Pipe cleaners

4. Set Up Your Slides

  • Pull up the Vocabulary Slides ahead of time for any students who need language frontloading.
  • Have the Full Lesson Slide Deck ready in slideshow view — slides build on each other and use animations to reveal formulas and examples step by step.
  • On the materials slide, edit the list to reflect what's actually available in your classroom.

5. Prep Your ChompSaw Station

  • If you have multiple ChompSaws, students can cut independently or in small groups.
  • If you only have one, plan to rotate students through the cutting station while others work on planning or decorating.
  • Remind students that decorations should be added only after all measurements and calculations are complete.

6. Review Lesson Timing

  • The planning, building, and measuring portions require the most time.
  • If your schedule is limited:
    • Complete planning and building during one class period.
    • Complete measuring, calculating, and the Park Design Showcase during a second class period.
    • This gives students more time to measure accurately and complete their calculations.
Extensions

Park Scale Challenge (5th Grade Extension)

  • Students treat their cardboard model as a scale model where 1 inch = 5 feet.
    • Students must:
      • convert the dimensions of each park section into real-life measurements
      • calculate real-life area and perimeter for each section
    • Discussion Questions
      • How large would your playground be in real life?
      • How much fencing would the basketball court need?
      • Which park section would be the largest in real life?

Prehistoric Park Challenge

  • Students travel back in time and redesign one part of their park to welcome an extinct animal.
    • Example Animals
      • Tyrannosaurus Rex
      • Triceratops
      • Stegosaurus
      • Woolly Mammoth
      • Smilodon (Saber-Toothed Cat)
      • Giant Ground Sloth
    • Students must:
      • research what their extinct animal needed to survive
      • redesign one park section to safely accommodate it
    • Discuss:
      • What new park section did you add?
      • How did your changes help your extinct animal?

Weather Challenge

  • Students draw a challenge card that changes their park's conditions.
    • Challenge Cards
      • Very Hot Summer
      • Heavy Rain
      • Strong Wind
      • Snowy Winter
      • Flooding
    • Students may add:
      • shade structures or covered picnic areas
      • drainage ponds or raised walking paths
      • wind barriers or extra trees
    • Students must:
      • explain how their redesign helps people use the park in their weather condition

Future Park Challenge

  • It's the year 2125! Students design a park for the future.
    • Example Features
      • Flying swing set
      • Robot playground
      • Hover bike path
      • Hologram garden
      • Drone delivery station
      • Solar charging benches
      • Floating fountains

Amusement Park Challenge

  • The city wants to turn the park into an amusement park without making it any larger.
    • Students must:
      • add two new attractions to their existing park
      • rearrange their design to fit everything within the original footprint
    • Discuss:
      • Which park section did you have to make smaller?
      • How did you rearrange your design to fit everything?