Zearn Math Grade 3, Mission 7: Geometry and Measurement Word Problems
In this unit, your child solves word problems about shapes and measurement. Children sort quadrilaterals by their attributes, find perimeter, the distance around a shape, work out missing side lengths, and compare shapes with the same perimeter but different areas. It ties together the area, fractions, and data from earlier units and closes out third grade.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Mission 7?
- Solving perimeter word problems, finding missing side lengths, and comparing rectangles that share a perimeter but not an area. Learn more: Perimeter: the distance around a shape
- Classifying quadrilaterals by attributes such as parallel sides, equal sides, and square corners, and drawing ones that fit a description. 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
A rectangular garden has sides that are 5 feet long and 3 feet wide. What is the perimeter of the garden?
- 8 feet
- 15 feet
- 16 feet
How you can help
- Pace out the perimeter of a room or a playground, one side at a time, and add the steps together. Then ask how long the last side must be if you know the other three.
- Build rectangles from 16 craft sticks, such as 1 by 7, 2 by 6, 3 by 5, and 4 by 4, and compare which one covers the most space.
- Spot quadrilaterals on a walk, such as a window, a crosswalk stripe, or a door, and ask your child which ones have parallel sides and square corners.
Where kids can get stuck
- Adding only two sides of a rectangle, so a 6 by 2 rectangle gets a perimeter of 8 instead of 16.
- Thinking a 7 by 1 rectangle and a 4 by 4 square cover the same space because both have a perimeter of 16.
- Saying a square cannot be a rhombus, though it has 4 equal sides just like every rhombus.
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
- perimeter
- The distance all the way around a shape.
- side length
- How long one side of a shape is.
- area
- The amount of flat space a shape covers, measured in square units.
- quadrilateral
- Any flat, closed shape with 4 straight sides.
- attribute
- A feature of a shape, such as its number of sides or square corners.
- parallel
- Lines that stay the same distance apart and never meet, like train tracks.
- rhombus
- A quadrilateral with 4 equal sides.
- rectangle
- A quadrilateral with 4 square corners.
- square
- A quadrilateral with 4 equal sides and 4 square corners.
Want to help your child master perimeter word problems?
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 7 cover?
Zearn Math Grade 3 Mission 7 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.