Unit 2, Lesson 5
Represent Products as Areas
Grade 3
Preparation
Lesson Narrative
In previous lessons, students counted unit squares to find the areas of rectangles. In this lesson they explicitly connect multiplication to rectangular areas. Students match multiplication expressions to rectangular areas, specifically relating the factors of the expressions to the rows and the columns of squares in the rectangle. Then, students are given multiplication expressions and create matching rectangles, with inch tiles and drawings on grids.
- Engagement
None
- Draw and label on a gridded rectangle to represent a multiplication expression. Relate the area of the rectangle and the value of the expression.
- Match (orally) gridded rectangles and multiplication expressions that represent the same equal groups.
- Let’s connect multiplication expressions to areas.
Required Materials
Activity 2
Required Preparation
- Post each rectangle from the blackline master around the classroom with space to accommodate groups of 3 or 4 students.
Teacher Reflection Questions
In previous lessons students worked with arrays as a way to represent multiplication. How did students’ previous work with arrays support them in representing products as rectangular areas?