Lesson 1 | Area | 3rd Grade Mathematics

Objective

Understand that area is an attribute of plane figures that is a measure of how much flat space an object takes up. Find the area of a figure using pattern blocks, which can be used as concrete non-standard units.

Common Core Standards

Core Standards

The core standards covered in this lesson

3.MD.C.5 — Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.

Measurement and Data

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

Measurement and Data

3.MD.C.6 — Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).

Foundational Standards

The foundational standards covered in this lesson

1.G.A.2

Geometry

1.G.A.2 — Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, trapezoids, triangles, half-circles, and quarter-circles) or three-dimensional shapes (cubes, right rectangular prisms, right circular cones, and right circular cylinders) to create a composite shape, and compose new shapes from the composite shape. Students do not need to learn formal names such as "right rectangular prism."

Criteria for Success

The essential concepts students need to demonstrate or understand to achieve the lesson objective

Understand that area is the measure of how much flat space an object takes up.
Compare the areas of various figures that have some common dimension or property.
Find the area of various figures by covering a space with concrete non-standard units without gaps or overlaps (MP.5, MP.6).
Find the area of a figure multiple times, using units of different sizes for the different measurements.
Explain how multiple measurements of the same figure is related to the size of the unit chosen (MP.3).

Tips for Teachers

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

Lesson Materials

Pattern blocks (at least 12 triangles, 6 blue (fatter) rhombuses, 4 squares, 3 trapezoids, 2 hexagons per student or small group) — Students will also need these for the Extra Practice Problems.
Template: Pattern Block Areas (1 per student or small group)

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Anchor Tasks

Tasks designed to teach criteria for success of the lesson, and guidance to help draw out student understanding

25-30 minutes

Problem 1

Which shape takes up more space, the trapezoid pattern block or the blue rhombus pattern block? Justify your answer.

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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Problem 2

Area is the measure of how much flat space an object takes up.

Use pattern blocks to decide which shape on Template: Pattern Block Areas has the greatest area. Be ready to explain your reasoning.

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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References

Illustrative Mathematics Grade 3 Unit 2 Lesson 1 Activity 2

Grade 3 Unit 2 Lesson 1 Activity 2, accessed on Oct. 12, 2022, 11:01 a.m., is licensed by Illustrative Mathematics under either the CC BY 4.0 or CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. For further information, contact Illustrative Mathematics.

Modified by Fishtank Learning, Inc.

Problem Set

15-20 minutes

Discussion of Problem Set

How many triangle pattern blocks does it take to cover a rhombus pattern block? Use that information to say a division fact that relates the number of triangles it takes to cover Shape A to the number of rhombuses it takes to cover the same shape. ($$6\div 2 = 3$$)
What new math vocabulary did we use today to communicate precisely about the amount of space taken up by a shape?

Target Task

A task that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved

5-10 minutes

Use triangle pattern blocks to find the area of the shape below.

Area: _____ triangle units

Student Response

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Additional Practice

The Extra Practice Problems can be used as additional practice for homework, during an intervention block, etc. Daily Word Problems and Fluency Activities are aligned to the content of the unit but not necessarily to the lesson objective, therefore feel free to use them anytime during your school day.

Extra Practice Problems

Word Problems and Fluency Activities

Help students strengthen their application and fluency skills with daily word problem practice and content-aligned fluency activities.

Area

Objective

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Common Core Standards

Core Standards

Measurement and Data

Measurement and Data

Foundational Standards

Geometry

Criteria for Success

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Tips for Teachers

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Lesson Materials

Anchor Tasks

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Problem 1

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Guiding Questions

Student Response

Problem 2

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Guiding Questions

Student Response

References

Problem Set

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Discussion of Problem Set

Target Task

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Student Response

Additional Practice

Extra Practice Problems

Word Problems and Fluency Activities

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