Finding

Area
Third Grade Math 65 minutes Standards: 3.MD.C.7

by Sabrina LeBlond June 12, 2015

Looking for a fun way to reinforce multiplication and area finding skills? This hands-on lesson
gives students a chance to create their own multiplication equations by making rectangular
models.

Learning Objectives
Students will be able to add and multiply square units in order to find the area of a rectangle.

Materials and Preparation Key Terms:
One-inch square tiles (80 per pair of students) square unit
Projector area
Sheets of one-inch graph paper
Pencils

Lesson
Introduction (10 minutes)
Pick up six square tiles. Using a projector, display three of them in a connected row, and
display the other three in a scattered group. Ask students to identify which group shows an
area, or square unit total, of three. (You'll be defining the term "area" more clearly later on in
the lesson.)
After hearing their answers, explain that both groups have a total area of three. Each tile is
a square unit, and regardless of how they're positioned, three tiles will always equal three
square units.
On your display, write "3 sq. units" above the row of tiles and "1 sq. unit" above each tile in
the scattered group.

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Explicit Instruction/Teacher Modeling (15 minutes)
Display a 4 square unit rectangle (e.g. four rows of one block, 2 rows of 2 blocks, or 1 row of
4 blocks). Ask students what they think the area of the shape is. Have those who volunteer
answers explain their reasoning.
After hearing their responses, display a different 4 square unit rectangle. Ask students to
compare this rectangle to the previous one. Ask them what they think the area of this
rectangle is.
After hearing their responses, display the final 4 square unit model. Remind students that
the area of a figure is the sum of its unit squares. Ask students to count the number of unit
squares in this model as you point at each of its tiles.
Make sure that students understand that all three of the models have an area of 4 square
units.
Ask the class for suggestions on more efficient ways to find area.
Once a student suggests multiplication, begin modeling an example of it on the board. As
you're making the model, explain that rows and columns can be used as part of
multiplication equations. These equations, in turn, can be used to find the areas of shapes.
Draw an arrow going across each row of your model, then number each row. For example,
if you're using a model with two rows of three blocks, you'd draw two arrows and number
them "1" and "2." Above the model, you'd write "2 rows of ___."
Circle one of the rows to show how many units are in each row. Continuing the previous
example, you'd fill in the blank with "3." This results in the statement "2 rows of 3."
Replace the words "rows of" with a multiplication symbol, and you'll end up with "2 x 3."
The answer to this equation, six, is the area of the shape.
Explain that the area of a shape is equal to its length multiplied by its width. Write "Area =
Length x Width" on the board.

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Guided Practice/Interactive Modeling (10 minutes)
Have students partner up. Let them know that for this portion of the lesson they'll be working
with a classmate to create various rectangular shapes using square tiles, recreate the
shapes on graph paper, and write matching multiplication equations.
Distribute one-inch square tiles and a sheet of one-inch graph paper to each pair.
Ask students to use their tiles and construct a rectangle with an area of 6 square units.
Once students have finished, allow volunteers to share their model with the class by
drawing it on the board.
Have students share until all four possible models have been represented on the board.
Ask partners to copy and shade in their rectangles on their graph paper.
Have each pair write a multiplication equation to go with their shape. Then, have them find
and record its area. For example, a pair with a model that has one row of six would write "6
x 1 = 6" and "Area = 6 sq. units."

Independent Working Time (15 minutes)

Have students repeat the activity on their own, with rectangles of varying sizes and areas.
Remind students to save space on their graph paper by drawing their shapes close to one
another.

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Extend
Differentiation
Enrichment: Give advanced students an extra challenge by having them work out different
multiplication equations on another sheet of graph paper. Some problems you can assign
are: 9 x 6 = ___, 3 x 7 = ___, 5 x 12 = ___, and 8 x 4 = ___. Ask them to find and record the
area of each answer by decomposing a factor. For example, 9 x 6 = (5 x 6) + (4 x 6) = 30 +
24 = 54. Area = 54 sq. units. Students should also draw and label a visual representation
for each problem. (A 9 x 6 array would be divided into two sections: one labeled "5 x 6" and
another labeled "4 x 6.")
Support: If there are only a few struggling students, give them one-on-one support. If there
are multiple students in need of assistance, pull them aside for small group instruction.
Briefly review the lesson with them and, if needed, reduce their workload.

Technology Integration
An interactive whiteboard could be used to present visual aids in a more streamlined
manner. Its square shape tool could be used to represent square inch tiles within the
lesson. Visual representations can be made in advance and hidden behind the shade tool.
The clone tool would allow for the infinite creation of square tiles when putting together
visual models.

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Review
Assessment (10 minutes)
To assess their understanding, sit near pairs during Independent Working Time and make
visual observations.
Prior to closing the lesson, ask each student to create a model with an area of 16 square
units. Allow volunteers to share multiplication equations that match their models.

Review and Closing (5 minutes)

Ask students to share what methods they thought were most useful for finding area.
Collect student work, and review it later to identify any students who need additional
support.

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