Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.

a.  A square with side length 1 unit, called “a unit square,” is said to have “one square unit” of area, and can be used to measure area.

b.  plane figure which can be covered without gaps or overlaps by n unit squares is said to have an area of n square units.

[divider] [/divider] Students are able to… 

  • Use manipulatives to cover a plane figure with squares without gaps or overlaps to recognize area as an attribute of plane shapes
  • Explain why area is recorded in square units.

[divider] [/divider] Students are able to…because teachers:

  • Pose tasks where students cover a variety of rectangles with tiles (unit squares) and count the squares to determine the area.
  • Provide opportunities for the students to share their “definition” of area and square units.

[divider] [/divider] Questions to ask students:

  • Why is area recorded in square units?
    • Sample answer that indicates understanding: Area is found by covering a space with unit squares. The area is how many squares it takes to cover the space.
  • Draw a plane figure (rectangle or rectilinear) and ask the students to explain how they would find the area.
    • Sample answer that indicates understanding: I can cover the figure in color tiles and count the squares. If I draw the figure on graph paper, then I can count the squares.

[divider] [/divider] FSA Notes

Cognitive Complexity Level: 1 – Recall

Achievement Level Descriptors:

2- understands that area is measured in square units and that a plane figure can be covered without gaps or overlaps to find an area

3-measures area of a rectangle by counting the square units

4- identifies a scenario where area measurement is applicable

5- creates and explains a scenario where area measurement is applicable

Assessment Limits:

Items may include plane figures that can be covered by unit squares.

Items may not include exponential notation for unit abbreviations (e.g., “cm²”).

[divider] [/divider] Additional Resources:

Additional in depth content knowledge

Blog Post: Teaching Area in 3rd Grade

LearnZillion Video: Cover the Area of Shapes Using Square Units

[divider] [/divider] Sample Formative Assessment Task

[divider] [/divider] Resources/Tasks to Help your Child at Home:

Look for real-world examples of rectangular items with a flat surface, for example: a table top, rug, cabinet door or picture.  Ask your child to use post-it notes to find the area.  You can also ask them to explain how that area and the perimeter of the item are different.

CPALMS Student Tutorial: Techies Talk Are https://bit.ly/2LmkiEs (open using Chrome; video will not play using Internet Explorer)

Kahn Academy: Intro to Area and Unit Squares https://bit.ly/2mERiZH

LearnZillion Video: Cover the Area of Shapes Using Square Units https://bit.ly/2v0LAVX