Area Explorers: Unlocking the Space Inside!

Mathematics Grades 3rd Grade 4:34 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to find the area of squares and rectangles using simple formulas! Join Ashley as we discover the secrets of area and practice our skills.

Video Resource

How to Find Area of Squares & Rectangles

Miacademy Learning Channel

Duration: 4:34
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Area is the amount of space inside a shape.
  • Area of a rectangle: Area = Length x Width
  • Area of a square: Area = Side x Side (Side Squared)
  • Area is measured in square units.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define area as the space inside a two-dimensional shape.
  • Students will be able to calculate the area of squares and rectangles using the appropriate formulas.
  • Students will be able to express area in square units.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they know about space. What does it mean to take up space? Introduce the term 'area' as the amount of space inside a shape. Show the beginning of the video (up to the formulas).
  • Formula Exploration (7 mins)
    Watch the portion of the video where Ashley explains the formulas for the area of squares and rectangles. Pause after each formula to discuss what 'length,' 'width,' and 'side' mean in the context of the shapes.
  • Rectangle Example (8 mins)
    Watch Ashley work through the rectangle example. Encourage students to follow along and try to calculate the area themselves before she reveals the answer. Emphasize the importance of including 'squared' in the units.
  • Square Example (8 mins)
    Watch Ashley work through the square example. Discuss how 'side squared' is the same as multiplying the side by itself. Again, emphasize the importance of square units.
  • Practice Problems (12 mins)
    Provide students with several practice problems to solve independently or in pairs. Include examples of both squares and rectangles with varying dimensions. Circulate the classroom to provide support and answer questions.

Interactive Exercises

  • Area Scavenger Hunt
    Students find rectangular and square objects in the classroom (e.g., books, desktops, tiles). They measure the length and width (or side) of the objects and calculate the area. They then share their findings with the class.
  • Building with Blocks
    Provide students with square blocks (e.g., linking cubes). Have them build rectangles and squares with specific areas (e.g., 'Build a rectangle with an area of 12 square units').

Discussion Questions

  • What is the difference between length and width in a rectangle?
  • Why do we use 'squared' when we talk about area?
  • Can you think of real-life situations where knowing the area of something would be important?

Skills Developed

  • Problem-solving
  • Measurement
  • Application of Formulas
  • Multiplication

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does area measure?

Correct Answer: The amount of space inside a shape

Question 2:

What is the formula for the area of a rectangle?

Correct Answer: Length x Width

Question 3:

What is the formula for the area of a square?

Correct Answer: Side x Side

Question 4:

A rectangle is 5 cm long and 2 cm wide. What is its area?

Correct Answer: 10 cm squared

Question 5:

A square has a side of 4 inches. What is its area?

Correct Answer: 16 inches squared

Question 6:

Which unit do we use to measure area?

Correct Answer: Square centimeters

Question 7:

What does 'squared' mean when we talk about area?

Correct Answer: It means multiplied by itself.

Question 8:

A rectangle has an area of 20 square inches. If its width is 4 inches, what is its length?

Correct Answer: 5 inches

Question 9:

If a square has an area of 9 square meters, what is the length of one of its sides?

Correct Answer: 3 meters

Question 10:

What is another way to say 'side squared'?

Correct Answer: Side times Side

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The amount of space inside a shape is called its ________.

Correct Answer: area

Question 2:

The area of a rectangle is found by multiplying its ________ and its ________.

Correct Answer: length; width

Question 3:

A square has all sides that are ________.

Correct Answer: equal

Question 4:

If a rectangle is 6 cm long and 3 cm wide, its area is ________ square centimeters.

Correct Answer: 18

Question 5:

If a square has a side of 5 inches, its area is ________ square inches.

Correct Answer: 25

Question 6:

Area is always measured in ________ units.

Correct Answer: square

Question 7:

To find the area of a square, you multiply the ________ by itself.

Correct Answer: side

Question 8:

If a rectangle has a length of 8 feet and a width of 2 feet, its area is ________ square feet.

Correct Answer: 16

Question 9:

A square with a side length of 7 meters has an area of ________ square meters.

Correct Answer: 49

Question 10:

The little '2' next to the unit of measurement means ________.

Correct Answer: squared

Educational Standards

3.GM.2.2:Analyze why length and width are multiplied to find the area of a rectangle by decomposing the rectangle into one unit by one unit squares and viewing these as rows and columns to determine the area. 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.N.2.2:Demonstrate fluency with multiplication facts using factors up to 10.

Teaching Materials

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