Intro to Area

Ages 8–11 · 6 minutes · Math

Learn how to use area to figure out how much space is inside a shape

Students will be introduced to the idea of area using unit squares, and they will practice finding the area of simple shapes by counting how many unit squares are in them

Part of

Area and Perimeter

Standards alignment

Common Core State Standards

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Alabama

MA19.3.21 — Count unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised or non-standard units) to determine area.
MA19.3.20 — Find the area of a rectangle with whole number side lengths by tiling without gaps or overlays and counting unit squares.

Alaska

3.MD.7 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.7.a — A square with side length 1 unit is said to have “one square unit” and can be used to measure area.
3.MD.7.b — Demonstrate that a plane figure which can be covered without gaps or overlaps by n (e.g., 6) unit squares is said to have an area of n (e.g., 6) square units.
3.MD.8 — Measure areas by tiling with unit squares (square centimeters, square meters, square inches, square feet, and improvised units).

Arizona

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Arkansas

3.GM.5 — Describe area as the number of unit squares that cover a plane figure without gaps and overlaps.

California

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.

Colorado

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).
3.MD.C.5.b — A plane figure which can be covered without gaps or overlaps by ?? unit squares is said to have an area of ?? square units.

Connecticut

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.

Delaware

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Florida

MA.3.GR.2.1 — Explore area as an attribute of a two-dimensional figure by covering the figure with unit squares without gaps or overlaps. Find areas of rectangles by counting unit squares.
MA.3.GR.2.4 — Solve mathematical and real-world problems involving the perimeter and area of composite figures composed of non-overlapping rectangles with whole-number side lengths.

Georgia

3.GSR.7 — Identify area as a measurable attribute of rectangles and determine the area of a rectangle presented in real-life, mathematical problems.
3.GSR.7.1 — Investigate area by covering the space of rectangles presented in realistic situations using multiple copies of the same unit, with no gaps or overlaps, and determine the total area (total number of units that covered the space).
3.GSR.7.2 — Determine the area of rectangles (or shapes composed of rectangles) presented in relevant problems by tiling and counting.

Hawaii

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
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.
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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Idaho

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — A square with side length one unit, called “a unit square,” is said to have “one square unit” of area, and can be used to measure area.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and nonstandard units).

Illinois

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Indiana

3.M.5 — Find the area of a rectangle with whole-number side lengths by modeling with unit squares, and show that the area is the same as would be found by multiplying the side lengths. Identify and draw rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters. (E)
2.G.3 — Partition a rectangle into rows and columns of same-size (unit) squares and count to find the total number of same-size squares.

Iowa

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Kansas

3.MD.6 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.6.a — 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 (does not require standard square units).
3.MD.6.b — 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 (does not require standard square units).
3.MD.7 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and non-standard square units).

Kentucky

KY.3.MD.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
KY.3.MD.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft. and improvised units).

Louisiana

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — A plane figure that can be covered without gaps or overlaps by n unit squares is said to have an area of n square units.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Maine

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and non- standard units
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.

Maryland

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Massachusetts

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — A square with side length of one unit, called "a unit square," is said to have "one square unit" of area, and can be used to measure area.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in., square ft., and non-standard units).
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.

Michigan

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Minnesota

4.3.2.3 — Understand that the area of a two-dimensional figure can be found by counting the total number of same size square units that cover a shape without gaps or overlaps. Justify why length and width are multiplied to find the area of a rectangle by breaking the rectangle into one unit by one unit squares and viewing these as grouped into rows and columns. For example: How many copies of a square sheet of paper are needed to cover the classroom door? Measure the length and width of the door to the nearest inch and compute the area of the door.
4.3.2.4 — Find the areas of geometric figures and real-world objects that can be divided into rectangular shapes. Use square units to label area measurements.

Mississippi

3.MD.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.5.a — 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.
3.MD.5.b — 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.
3.MD.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Missouri

3.GM.C.9 — Calculate area by using unit squares to cover a plane figure with no gaps or overlaps.
3.GM.C.10 — Label area measurements with squared units.

Montana

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Nebraska

3.G.2.b — Use concrete and pictorial models to measure areas in square units by counting square units.
3.G.2 — Area and Perimeter: Students will recognize perimeter and area as attributes of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.

Nevada

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

New Hampshire

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

New Jersey

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and nonstandard units).
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.

New Mexico

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

New York

NY-3.MD.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
NY-3.MD.5.a — Recognize 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.
NY-3.MD.5.b — Recognize 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.
NY-3.MD.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares.

North Carolina

NC.3.MD.5 — Find the area of a rectangle with whole-number side lengths by tiling without gaps or overlaps and counting unit squares.

North Dakota

3.GM.M.7 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.

Ohio

3.MD.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.5.a — 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.
3.MD.5.b — 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.
3.MD.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Oklahoma

3.GM.2.4 — Find the area of two-dimensional figures by counting the total number of same-size unit squares that fill the shape without gaps or overlaps.
3.GM.2 — Understand measurable attributes of real-world and mathematical objects using various tools.

Oregon

3.GM.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement presented in authentic contexts by tiling and counting unit squares.
3.GM.C.6 — Measure areas by counting standard and non-standard unit squares.

Pennsylvania

CC.2.4.3.A.5 — Determine the area of a rectangle and apply the concept to multiplication and to addition.

Rhode Island

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — A square with side length one unit, called "a unit square," is said to have "one square unit" of area, and can be used to measure area.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and non-standard units).

South Carolina

3.MDA.5a — Understand the concept of area measurement to include recognize area as an attribute of plane figures.
3.MDA.5b — Understand the concept of area measurement to include measure area by building arrays and counting standard unit squares.

South Dakota

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Tennessee

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize that plane figures have an area and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — Understand that 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — Understand that 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square centimeters, square meters, square inches, square feet, and improvised units).

Texas

2.9F — use concrete models of square units to find the area of a rectangle by covering it with no gaps or overlaps, counting to find the total number of square units, and describing the measurement using a number and the unit; and

Utah

3.MD.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.5.a — A square with side length one unit, called "a unit square," is said to have "one square unit" of area, and can be used to measure area.
3.MD.6 — Measure area by counting unit squares (square centimeters, square meters, square inches, square feet, and improvised units).
3.MD.5.b — 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.

Vermont

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Virginia

3.MG.2a — Solve problems, including those in context, involving area:
3.MG.2 — The student will use multiple representations to estimate and solve problems, including those in context, involving area and perimeter (in both U.S. Customary and metric units). Students will demonstrate the following Knowledge and Skills:

Washington

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.

Washington, D.C.

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.5.a — 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.
3.MD.C.5.b — 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.
3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

West Virginia

M.3.22 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement. a. 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. b. A plane figure which can be covered without gaps or overlaps by b unit squares is said to have an area of b square units.
M.3.23 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft. and improvised units).

Wisconsin

M.3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement. a. 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. b. 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.
M.3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft., and improvised units).

Wyoming

3.MD.I.5 — Understand area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement, such as square units without gaps or overlaps.
3.MD.I.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in., square ft, and improvised units).