The Square Counting Shortcut

An excellent lesson plan that encourages students to discover how complex figures can be broken into simpler shapes when measuring area. Working with block letters, learners are given the freedom to develop their own strategies for determining the area of the shapes, ideally working toward the rectangle subdivision method. A great differentiated activity that provides an opportunity for 3rd graders to share their unique approaches to calculating area. As an extension, consider passing out graph paper and allowing the class to create and measure the area of their own shapes.