Illustrative Mathematics Grade 3, Unit 2: Area and Multiplication
In this unit, your child learns about area, the amount of flat space a shape covers, and links it to multiplication. They tile rectangles with square tiles, count square units, and see that rows and columns of squares make a multiplication. Then they find areas of shapes made from rectangles. Next, addition and subtraction within 1,000 return.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 2?
- Using square tiles to find area and noticing that different shapes can have the same area. Learn more: Area: how much flat space a shape covers
- Measuring area in square inches, square centimeters, square feet, and square meters, and choosing a sensible unit. Learn more: Finding area by counting squares
- Finding a rectangle's area with multiplication and using rectangles to find the area of more complex figures. Learn more: Finding the area of a rectangle
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
You want to cover a rectangular garden with new grass. Which measurement tells you how much grass you need?
- Perimeter
- Length
- Area
How you can help
- Ask your child to guess how many sticky notes or cards will cover a placemat, then lay them edge to edge and count.
- Talk about which unit fits, square inches for a phone screen or square feet for a bedroom floor, as you go about your day.
- Look at a waffle or a window with square panes and ask how many squares there are without counting each one.
Where kids can get stuck
- Overlapping tiles or leaving gaps, then counting anyway, so the area is off.
- Adding length and width for area, so a 4 by 9 rectangle gets 13 instead of 36.
- Writing feet instead of square feet when the answer is an area.
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
- area
- The number of square units that cover a shape.
- unit square
- A square 1 unit on each side, used to measure area.
- square unit
- The unit we use to measure area.
- square inch
- A square that is 1 inch on each side.
- square foot
- A square that is 1 foot on each side, about the size of a floor tile.
- tile
- To cover a shape with squares that touch, with no gaps or overlaps.
- length
- How long one side of a shape is.
- width
- How wide a shape is; the length of its other side.
Want to help your child master area with multiplication?
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.
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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 Illustrative Mathematics Grade 3 Unit 2 cover?
Illustrative Mathematics Grade 3 Unit 2 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.