How to Teach Area to Third Grade Students
Teaching area to third-graders can be challenging because students are just beginning to understand mathematical concepts relating to shapes, and they may be able to memorize formulas but often have trouble understanding the actual relationship between shapes and formulas. For third-grade students it is usually wise to focus on teaching the area of simple shapes, such as rectangles and squares. More involved area lessons, such as triangles and circles, will often be too complicated for third-graders to effectively understand.
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Instructions
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Discuss the concept of area. Area is a measurement of the space inside the boundaries (edges) of a flat (2-D) object. It can also be simplified as "surface" area, a measurement of an object's surface. Try to keep this discussion simple; avoid introducing the concept of volume at this time as it may only serve to confuse the children.
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Compare area to perimeter. While the concepts of perimeter and area are usually taught around the same time, perimeter can be simpler to understand and is usually taught first. Explain that while perimeter is a measurement of the edges of a shape, area is a measurement of the space inside the shape, contained by the perimeter.
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Use visual aids, a technique strongly recommended by Saxon Math publishers. For example, when discussing area versus perimeter, have the children trace the edges of their desks, running their finger all around the edge. Explain that this is the perimeter. Then have them place their hand flat on the desk and rub it all over the entire surface. This is the desk's area.
Teaching experts at MathIsFun.com recommend using visual aids to explain how shapes can look very different but still have the same area. Cut three sets of nine squares out of paper (this demonstration can also be drawn on a white board). Create three shapes, using one set of nine squares for each. In one, lay the squares end to end, creating a 1-by-9 rectangle. In another set, create a 3-by-3 rectangle, and for the final set, create any odd, jumbled shape you like. Explain to the class that each set has the same area, because they can be broken down into the same number of little squares.
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Introduce the area formula: area equals width times length (area = width x length or a = w x l). Demonstrate the simple mathematics involved in this formula, and repeat it to make sure they have it memorized; practice using lesson plans with a wide variety of sample problems, like the ones at LessonSnips.com. Once your third grade students seem to understand, relate this back to your previous example: plugging in 1-by-9 and 3-by-3 into the equation results in the answer nine, in both cases.
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- Photo Credit coloured shapes image by Leslie Batchelder from Fotolia.com
