3rd Grade · Measurement & Data
3.MD.C.6: Find the area of a shape by counting squares
3.MD.C.6 is a 3rd grade Common Core math standard in Measurement & Data. Here’s what it really covers, and how you can help your students learn it.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
The standard
Measure areas by counting unit squares (square cm, square m, square in, square ft, and improvised units).
In plain words
Find the area of a shape by counting squares.
Sample questions from student practice
These questions from Bobby's Math Club are the kinds of questions your students will see. You can try answering them to see what a student might see.
Question 1 of 3
The picture shows the floor of a school hallway. Each square is 1 square meter. What is the area of the floor?
- 16 meters
- 16 square meters
- 20 square meters
Where students can get stuck
- Counting some squares twice or skipping some in a large shape, so the area is off by a few.
- Writing inches instead of square inches, not yet seeing that area is counted in squares, not lengths.
- Counting the grid lines instead of the squares between them, so a shape 4 squares wide becomes 5.
Effective teaching strategies
- Have students mark each square as they count it, or count row by row, so none is counted twice or skipped.
- Ask students to label areas with square units, such as 12 square inches, and say why square inches are different from inches.
- Give students grid paper and have them count the squares between the lines, not the lines themselves.
Units that teach this standard
Find where 3.MD.C.6 lands in the program you teach. Each unit has a guide written for families. Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence.
Bridges in Mathematics
enVision Mathematics
Eureka Math
Eureka Math²
i-Ready Classroom Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics
Math Expressions
Reveal Math
Zearn Math
Don’t see your curriculum? Contact Bobby and we’ll see if we can help!
Share it with families
Families can read Finding area by counting squares for a plain-language look at this skill, with three questions to try together and ideas for helping at home.
Help every student practice measurement and data at home
In Bobby's Math Club, students practice 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 for every family.
See how it works for teachers
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.