Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).
[divider] [/divider] Students are able to…
- Cover a plane figure with squares without gaps or overlaps and determine the area by counting the unit squares.
- Use graph paper to create a rectangle and determine the area by counting the unit squares.
- 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 and count the squares to determine the area.
- Provide opportunities for the students to draw a rectangle using graph paper and 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 rectangle or rectilinear figure 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
Video: Find the Area of a Square or Rectangle by Counting Unit Squares
[divider] [/divider] Sample Formative Assessment Task:
[divider] [/divider] Resources/Tasks to Support Your Child at Home:
You or your child can draw rectangles or rectilinear figures on grid paper (https://bit.ly/2LNiOiO), and then your child can count the square units to find the area of the figures. Your child can also find the perimeter of the figures and look for a relationship between the area and perimeter of rectangles.
LearnZillion Video: Finding Area of a Square or Rectangle by Counting Unit Squares https://bit.ly/2LPRcJI