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3rd grade math · Unit 2: Lines, shapes, area, and perimeter

Area by counting squares

What this lesson shows

Cover a rectangle with unit squares, no gaps, and count in square units.

The worked example

The lesson works this one step by step: 6 by 4. Then your kid tries one like it on paper.

The steps

  1. Cover it with unit squares
  2. Count a row at a time
  3. Say square units

Helping at home

Draw the rectangle on grid paper or draw its unit squares. Count a row at a time, and mark each square as you count it. Say the answer in square units.

If your kid gets stuck

Draw the unit squares first.

Watch it with Lux

With Lux, this lesson is a narrated video and a printed page your kid works on. Then Lux helps with the same math on their own worksheet, one question at a time.

See how Lux works

Standards

  • Common Core 3.MD.C.5
    Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
  • Common Core 3.MD.C.5a
    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.
  • Common Core 3.MD.C.5b
    A plane figure which can be covered without gaps or overlaps by n unit squares is said to have an area of n square units.
  • Common Core 3.MD.C.6
    Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).
Matches standards in 48 statesSee each state's code

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