Understanding Area

CONCEPTUAL

Mathematics›Measurement|Ages 8—9|ID: mt_6xNmQLzuqm

Understand that a unit square has one square unit of area and that the area of a plane figure is the number of unit squares that cover it without gaps or overlaps

Mastery Evidence

Identify a unit square and state its area is 1 square unit
Explain why a figure covered by 12 unit squares has area 12 square units
Distinguish between area and perimeter as different measurements

Assessment Prompt

“If [child] counts the small squares inside a rectangle drawn on squared paper, can they tell you the area — and explain what "one square unit" means?”

Prerequisites1

Measuring length (age 7+)
softAges 7—8

Show full prerequisite tree

Measuring length (age 7+) soft
Length measurement experience supports understanding area as a 2D measurement
- Measuring length (age 6+) hard
  Using standard measurement tools extends measuring with non-standard units
  - Measuring length and height (age 5+) hard
    Measuring with iterated units extends Y1 beginning to measure length
    - Comparing Lengths & Heights hard
      Measuring length with units requires first being able to compare lengths directly
      - Measurable Attributes of Objects hard
        Comparing lengths/heights requires first identifying length as a measurable attribute
  - Measuring length soft
    Measuring with units benefits from ability to order and compare lengths
    - Comparing Lengths & Heights hard
      Ordering 3 objects by length and indirect comparison extends direct length comparison
      - Measurable Attributes of Objects hard
        Comparing lengths/heights requires first identifying length as a measurable attribute
- Choosing measurement units soft
  Choosing appropriate tools builds on choosing appropriate units
  - Capacity and volume hard
    Using standard units for capacity extends from beginning to measure capacity
    - Comparing Capacity hard
      Measuring capacity with units requires first being able to compare capacities
      - Measurable Attributes of Objects hard
        Comparing capacity requires understanding capacity as a measurable attribute
  - Measuring length and height (age 5+) hard
    Using standard units for length extends from beginning to measure length
    - Comparing Lengths & Heights hard
      Measuring length with units requires first being able to compare lengths directly
      - Measurable Attributes of Objects hard
        Comparing lengths/heights requires first identifying length as a measurable attribute
  - Measuring mass and weight hard
    Using standard units for mass extends from beginning to measure mass
    - Measuring mass and weight (age 4+) hard
      Measuring mass with units requires first being able to compare masses directly
      - Measurable Attributes of Objects hard
        Comparing mass/weight requires first identifying mass as a measurable attribute

Unlocks1

Area (age 8+)
hardAges 8—9