Everyday Mathematics Grade 3, Unit 4: Measurement and Geometry
In this unit, your child measures lengths to the nearest half and quarter inch, shows that data on a line plot, and learns what area means. Children also sort four-sided shapes into families like rectangles and rhombuses. The multiplication facts from the last unit help with counting squares, and the halves and fourths on a ruler set up the fractions unit that comes next.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 4?
- Measuring objects to the nearest half or quarter inch with a ruler and recording the lengths on a line plot, a number line with Xs. Learn more: Measuring to the nearest quarter inch
- Learning that area is the flat space a shape covers, measured by counting unit squares that fit with no gaps or overlaps. Learn more: Area: how much flat space a shape covers
- Sorting quadrilaterals, shapes with four straight sides, into groups such as rectangles, squares, and rhombuses by their sides and corners. Learn more: Sorting four-sided shapes into families
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Zoe lines up one end of a spoon with 0 on her ruler. The other end is exactly halfway between the 5-inch mark and the 6-inch mark. How long is the spoon?
- 5 1/2 inches
- 6 1/2 inches
- 5 inches
How you can help
- Measure a few pencils, crayons, or spoons with a ruler together, to the nearest quarter inch, and make a quick line plot on scrap paper to show the lengths.
- Cover a placemat or a book with square sticky notes, edge to edge with no gaps, and count how many it takes. That count is the area in sticky notes.
- Hunt for four-sided shapes on a walk or around the home, such as windows, doors, and floor tiles, and ask whether each one is a square, a rectangle, or another quadrilateral.
Where kids can get stuck
- Starting a measurement at the very end of the ruler instead of at the 0 mark, so lengths come out slightly off.
- Leaving gaps between squares when covering a shape, which makes the area come out too small.
- Saying a square is not a rectangle, though it has four square corners just like every rectangle.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- half inch
- Half of an inch; two half inches make 1 inch. On a ruler, its mark sits halfway between two whole inches.
- quarter inch
- One fourth of an inch; four quarter inches make 1 inch.
- line plot
- A number line with an X above it for each piece of data.
- area
- The amount of flat space a shape covers, measured in square units.
- unit square
- A square with sides 1 unit long, used to measure area.
- quadrilateral
- Any flat, closed shape with 4 straight sides.
- rectangle
- A quadrilateral with 4 square corners.
- rhombus
- A quadrilateral with 4 equal sides.
- square
- A quadrilateral with 4 equal sides and 4 square corners.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with measurement and shapes?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
Join the club
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Everyday Mathematics Grade 3 Unit 4 cover?
Everyday Mathematics Grade 3 Unit 4 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.