Zearn Math Grade 3, Mission 4: Area
In this unit, your child discovers area, the amount of flat space a shape covers. Children start by tiling shapes with unit squares, then see that the rows and columns form an array, so multiplying length by width gives the area. They also break L-shaped figures into rectangles. It puts the last unit's facts to work, and the next unit treats fractions as numbers.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Mission 4?
- Seeing area as the number of unit squares, each 1 unit on a side, that cover a shape with no gaps or overlaps. Learn more: Area: how much flat space a shape covers
- Counting square units, such as square centimeters and square inches, to find area, and writing the answer in square units. Learn more: Finding area by counting squares
- Linking tiled rows and columns to multiplication, so a 7 by 3 rectangle has an area of 21 square units, and finding areas of L shapes. 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
- Build rectangles with square crackers on a plate, then ask your child to name the rows, the columns, and the area as a multiplication fact.
- Look at a tiled floor or a window with square panes and ask your child to find the number of squares without counting every one.
- Draw an L shape on paper with its side lengths marked in feet, and work together to split it into two rectangles and find the area in square feet.
Where kids can get stuck
- Overlapping the tiles when covering a shape, so the count of squares comes out too big.
- Writing an area in inches instead of square inches, not yet seeing that area counts squares.
- Adding length and width, so a 7 by 3 rectangle gets an area of 10 instead of 21.
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 amount of flat space a shape covers, measured in square units.
- unit square
- A square with sides 1 unit long, used to measure area.
- square unit
- The unit for area, such as a square inch or square centimeter.
- square centimeter
- A square with sides 1 centimeter long, used to measure area.
- square inch
- A square with sides 1 inch long, used to measure area.
- array
- Objects arranged in equal rows and columns, like eggs in a carton.
- length
- How long something is from end to end.
- width
- How wide something is from side to side.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with measuring area?
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 Zearn Math Grade 3 Mission 4 cover?
Zearn Math Grade 3 Mission 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.