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To get my students to remember which is which I definitely provide a lot of visuals like the ones shown below.  These visuals outline the specific locations of what area and perimeter measure.  I also remind students that the word perimeter has a "t" in it reminding us to add (because it could look like the plus sign).  I also remind them that perimeter is the longer word and there has more addends in it to put together, unlike area that only has two factors to multiply.

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I use a classroom visual on a door or small bulletin board.

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Anchor charts, visuals using classroom objects (desks, doors, floor), physical/kinesthetic activities that illustrate the concepts, word wall, student work displayed, geoboards and math cubes.

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Starting at around third grade, students make the transition from learning shape names to actually performing calculations with them. We've put together our favorite ways for teaching area and perimeter for all types of learners. Choose your favorites to implement in your classroom.

1. Make an area and perimeter anchor chart

Start with an anchor chart! This clever option lays out the differences and similarities between area and perimeter measurements.

Learn more: Teach Create Motivate on Instagram

2. Decorate your classroom

Many students have trouble remembering the difference between area and perimeter. But if they pass this display on their way out of the classroom each day, they will eventually get it!

3. Snack while you learn

Square snacks like Cheez-Its are perfect for a hands-on activity with area and perimeter. Starburst candies work as well too.

Learn more: Sailing Into Second

4. Pull out the pattern blocks

This is a great way to introduce perimeter without introducing the actual formulas right away. Students can simply count the sides, which gets them ready for the next step.

Learn more: Ashleigh's Education Journey

5. Read Spaghetti and Meatballs for All!

In Spaghetti and Meatballs for All!, the Comfort family reunion gets more complicated as guests insist on rearranging the seating chart. Read the book, and have students draw and calculate the table formations as you go.

6. Draw a Perimeter Person

Have students draw themselves on graph paper, then figure out the area and perimeter. So cute!

Learn more: A Word From Third

7. Make a math mosaic

Projects like these put the "A" in STEAM! Have students use square sticky notes to make a self portrait mosaic, or any other theme you choose. They can write in their calculations around the figure.

Learn more: I Want To Be A Super Teacher

8. Explore area and perimeter with LEGO bricks

LEGOs are the perfect teaching tool for talking about area and perimeter. Plus, children love them!

Learn more: Grade School Giggles

9. Sing a catchy song

This cool little tune will help students remember when and how to use area and perimeter calculations.

10. Write block letter names

Students love activities using their own names. Draw them using block letters, then calculate the perimeter and area. (Name too long? Try initials instead.)

Learn more: Upper Elementary Snapshots

11. Use your floor tiles for area and perimeter

Got square floor tiles? Use blue painter's tape (it peels off easily, we promise) to make shapes and have your students calculate the areas.

Learn more: Being Ladylike

12. Bring out the pentominoes

If you've played Tetris, you'll recognize pentomino blocks. They're a great tool to have on hand for a variety of math activities, including perimeter and area.

Learn more: Teaching With a Mountain View

13. Grab your geoboards

Geoboards are another terrific tool that belong in every elementary classroom. ( Find more great ways to use them here.)

Learn more: Triumphant Learning

14. Use area and perimeter to furnish a room

Students love to ask, "But when I will ever use this in real life?" Area and perimeter actually have a lot of real-life applications, like this project where students fill a room with furniture to see if they can make it all fit.

Learn more: The Owl Teacher

15. Build a city

One room isn't enough? Build a city! This is a cool activity for students who are ready to move on to volume, too.

Learn more: Teach Beside Me

16. Send them on an area and perimeter scavenger hunt

Need a quick and easy activity? Hand out rulers to students and send them off to measure lengths and widths of items. At their seats they can then calculate the perimeter.

Learn more: Ashleigh's Education Journey

17. Make a π plate

Working on the area of circles? Make these cute pi plates!

Learn more: The Reading Buddies

18. Play 'Conquer the Area'

Grab graph paper and a pair of dice, then play this classic game that's all about perimeter and area.

Learn more: I Heart Teaching Elementary

19. Remind them to use the formulas

Counting squares is a good way to understand the concept, but eventually, students need to learn the formulas. Grab the free printable cards at the link below to give them some practice.

Learn more: Math Coach's Corner
Gearing up for Pi Day? Check out these 31 Mathtastic Pi Day Activities! If your kids need to move while they learn, you'll love these 22 Active Math Games and Activities.

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19 Creative Ways to Teach Area and Perimeter

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Starting at around third grade, students make the transition from learning shape names to actually performing calculations with them. We've put together our favorite ways for teaching area and perimeter for all types of learners. Choose your favorites to implement in your classroom. Start with an anchor chart!

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In order to get my students to recall the difference with perimeter and area, I will show Brainpop and other videos as a minilesson, create anchor charts with the class to hang, act out perimeter and area word problems on the classroom rug, use teacher think alouds to complete perimeter and area word problems, have students complete area and perimeter problems together, and use area and perimeter hands on activities.   Here is an example of an anchor chart that I use when creating them with the class.

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In order to get my students to recall the difference between perimeter and area and idea I have been thinking about is to use alliteration with a craft. So I was going to use Popsicle sticks to make a picture frame to remember perimeter. I have also told my students in the past "area always covers all the space." This past year we also used graph paper to create gingerbread houses that had specifications for area and perimeter for the different squares and rectangles. They got a chance to work a lot with the concepts in a fun way.

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I have used anchor charts and leave them up in the classroom. The other thing, my students have found useful is that I make one of our doors the Perimeter and Area model. I use colored duct tape to outline the door, and write PERIMETER all over the tape. I then use a different colored duct tape and use it to write AREA in the middle space of the door. Songs are also helpful! I will often call students to the, "perimeter of the rug" or the, "area of the rug" when transitioning. I'll use the vocabulary throughout the year, not just when teaching the specific skills.

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I have always used anchor charts as a starter to reintroducing area and perimter. As a SPED teacher, I find even my older students often need a refresher on the topics. After using anchor charts for our classroom walls, doing sorts about the differences between area and perimeter, and playing songs for my students (that way they get the content in a variet of ways), I like to continue teaching the content in hands on ways. My students have calculated the area and perimeter of our classroom, and for homework attempted to calculate the same in their bedrooms at home. For the older kids, we have allowed them to "design a school" by calculating the area and perimeter of their dream school while they design it. Getting the kids engaged has made the concept stick with them more than just memorizing the formulas.

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Practice of the skills and constant use of the language.  When kids come to the carpet for morning meeting, we talk about covering all the space of the carpet, or the area.  When we do restorative circles, we sit around the outside of the carpet, or along the perimeter.  Getting kids to use these terms and practice the skills will help them remember.
Also, I have a silent teacher on the wall, showing a rectangle. The middle of the rectangle is blue, and the word "Area" with the formula is also in blue. The outside of the rectangle is pink, and the word "Perimeter" and the various formulas are also written in pink. We reference this poster frequently in our discussions.

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I often call students to the perimeter of the rug for morning meeting. I also will ask them to spread out throughout the entire area of the rug. We use a math word wall with a word, picture, and description that we refer to frequently.

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I have created a visual on the windows in the classroom similar to the photo of the door Candace shared in this padlet - labeling the perimeter and area of the window. To get students engaged, we have also had students use the floor tiles to measure the perimeter and area of the classroom.

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I have used anchor charts, when we come up to the carpet for morning meeting, read alouds, etc I will ask my students to sit around the perimeter of the carpet or I will assigned select students to fill in the perimeter of the carpet and other students to fill in the area of the carpet, there are some great short video clips on youtube to use to help the kids remember the difference between the two. I have even seen people decorate around their windows or doors to show the difference between the two. I haven't tried that but have always wanted to. I think its a cue idea.

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Students usually sit on the carpet in rows and columns when I'm teaching mini lessons, but when we would have "family meetings" I would always ask them to move to the perimeter of the carpet to help them make the associate that the perimeter is the outside of the carpet.

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I Always decorate the doorway in my class.   This is an example that I found online.  Very similar, but I add + signs between the perimeter and a x inside the door.   I leave it up for the majority of the year.