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