Lesson 1

What is Area?

Lesson Purpose

The purpose of this lesson is for students to recognize that different shapes cover different amounts of space.

Lesson Narrative

In grade 2, students estimated, measured, and compared lengths using standard units. They learned how the length of the unit affects measurements.

This lesson introduces the concept of area as students compare the size of different shapes. Students consider what it means for two-dimensional shapes to be larger or cover more space. They measure and describe relative area with increasing precision as they participate in the activities in this lesson.

Give students access to pattern blocks and scissors during the cool-down.

  • Action and Expression
  • MLR8

Activity 1: Compare Shapes

Learning Goals

Teacher Facing

  • Describe the relative size of plane figures in their own language.

Student Facing

  • Let’s compare the size of shapes.

Required Materials

Materials to Gather

Materials to Copy

  • Pattern Blocks to Compare Shapes

Required Preparation

Activity 2:

  • Each group of 2 needs at least 2 hexagons and trapezoids,  4 squares and rhombuses, and 8 triangles.

CCSS Standards

Addressing

Building Towards

Lesson Timeline

Warm-up 10 min
Activity 1 15 min
Activity 2 20 min
Lesson Synthesis 10 min
Cool-down 5 min

Teacher Reflection Questions

What part of the lesson went really well today in terms of students learning? What did you do that made that part go well?

Suggested Centers

  • Can You Build It? (3–5), Stage 1: Rectangles (Addressing)
  • Five in a Row: Multiplication (3–5), Stage 1: Factors 1–5 and 10 (Supporting)

Print Formatted Materials

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Additional Resources

Google Slides

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PowerPoint Slides

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