The students will now take the sheet paneling and the board that they have constructed and determine how many planters they can make from each one. The students will need to take their parts list and cut out examples/patterns of each part that is needed. They will then take these patterns they have made and trace them on paneling and board. This is an excellent time to discuss area. The covering the paneling with the sides and bottoms is a good example of this.

Once the students start the actual tracing, they will be quick to trace out all sides on the paneling without considering the need for any bottoms. After they have been working for some time, ask them about the combinations that are needed. Some students will also trace sides or bottoms on the board. This will be an excellent opportunity to do some work with sets.

If the students make a mistake, make sure that they do not try to make another sheet of paneling or board. Just have them erase or just turn it over. This will insure that they are not getting behind and are working toward getting the correct combinations from the sheet of paneling and the board.

There will also need to be a time limit on the number of days that the students work on this activity. I would recommend no more than three class periods. At the end of this time, the groups that are not through should make an estimation. Then, as a class, have the groups present their estimations and agree upon the number of planters that can be built from one sheet of paneling and one board.