Step 3 Objective

Understand an area measured in square centimetres (cm²).

Examples of what pupils should know and be able to do

Probing questions

Would you expect the area of a paperback book to be 100 cm², 600 cm² or 6000 cm²? Explain why.

How could you use an acetate grid marked in cm² to find an estimate of the area of any shape drawn on a piece of A4 paper? Why would it only be an estimate?

What if pupils find this a barrier?

Use an acetate grid marked in cm² to help 'count squares' and develop concept of area.

Work with irregular shapes as well as shapes that can be divided easily into rectangles.

The focus is on having a feeling for area, not calculating the area.

Deal with the misconception that area is length × width regardless of the shape!

Use 'Area' ITP - Zip file (556Kb) and guide - Acrobat pdf document (160Kb).