Unit 2, Lesson 2
How Do We Measure Area?
Grade 3
Preparation
Lesson Narrative
Previously, students compared the areas of shapes informally—by cutting out and overlaying the shapes, by observing whether one shape would fit into another, and by covering the shapes with pattern blocks and comparing the numbers of blocks used.
In this lesson, students learn that squares can be used to measure area: by tiling all of the shape. Each square represents one unit of area, or one square unit. Inch tiles are used, but are referred to as “square tiles” with students to emphasize how the tiles are used to measure square units. Students learn that shapes that don’t have specific names can be referred to as “figures.”
In the next lesson, students will take a closer look at square tiles that overlap.
Provide inch tiles for students to use during the Cool-down.
- Engagement
None
- Comprehend (in spoken and written language) the term “area” as the amount of space covered by a shape.
- Use square tiles to measure the area of a figure and express the area as a number of “square units.”
- Let’s use square tiles to measure area.
Required Preparation
- Each group of 4 students needs 80 square tiles.
- Each group of 2 students needs 80 square tiles.
Teacher Reflection Questions
What ideas and experiences do students have about area? How did they influence students' work?