Explore Composite Shapes with Your Students

Once your students have mastered calculating the perimeter of single figures, they are ready to move on to composite shapes. Composite shapes are shapes that are made up of two or more basic shapes. A shape that is made up of a square and a triangle, for example, would be considered a composite shape.

This set of 24 task cards contains different perimeter-based questions based around composite shapes. By completing these perimeter task cards, students will be able to apply their knowledge of perimeter to a more complex range of shapes.

Some questions require students to find the perimeter of the composite shape provided, while others require students to find the length of the missing side.

The resource download includes:

• Instruction Page – This provides a clear guide on how to use these composite shapes task cards in your classroom.
• Composite Shape Task Cards – Each card features a different composite shape for calculating perimeter or calculating the length of the missing side.
• Recording Sheet – This can be used as a dedicated space for students to record their answers.
• Answer Page – An easy way to check student solutions and provide immediate feedback.

We have provided an easy-print PDF or an editable Google Slides version of these composite shapes task cards. Answers are also provided in the download to make grading quick and painless!

Multiple Uses for These Composite Shapes Task Cards

There are many ways in which these composite shape task cards can be used to enhance your lessons on perimeter. Here are a few suggestions from our experienced teacher team:

1. Warm-Up Game – Turn these composite shapes task cards into a review game. Divide the class into teams and have them answer questions from the task cards. You can use a game format like a quiz show or a scavenger hunt to make it more engaging.
2. Assessment or Quiz Preparation – Use the perimeter task cards as a tool for preparing students for assessments or quizzes. You can give students a set of task cards to work on individually or in pairs, and then go over the answers as a class.
3. Exit Tickets – Use the composite shapes task cards as exit tickets to assess students’ understanding of the day’s lesson. Ask students to answer a specific task card question as they leave the classroom or at the end of the class.

Download This Composite Shapes Resource

Use the Download button above to select your chosen file format.

As this resource contains an answer page, we recommend printing one copy of the entire file, removing the answer page, then making further copies if required.

Print the cards on cardstock to increase the durability of the resource. Place the cards together in a large envelope or ziplock bag for safekeeping.

This resource was created by Kaylyn Chupp, a teacher in Florida and a Teach Starter collaborator.

More Perimeter Resources for Your Classroom

Teach Starter understands that you want to spend less time planning and more time teaching! Click below to access more great perimeter resources to make your math planning a breeze!

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Use this perimeter maze when teaching your students how to calculate the perimeter of composite shapes.

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Finding the Perimeter Interactive Activity

Get students finding the perimeter of shapes with this self-checking digital resource, perfect for lesson introductions and wrap-ups.

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Finding the Perimeter of a Rectangle Poster

Teach students the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle with this colorful classroom poster for your math bulletin board.