Grade 2 Math Lesson Plan: Area — 3 Lessons with Timings

Learning Objectives

• Say that area is the space inside a flat shape.
• Measure area fairly with same-size squares: no gaps and no overlaps.
• Find the area of a shape by counting squares.
• Find the area of a rectangle by adding the rows (3 rows of 4 = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12).
• Split a rectangle into rows and columns of same-size squares and count them.
• Compare and order shapes by area, and know that different shapes can have the same area.
• Draw shapes with a given area and solve simple area problems.

Lesson Procedure

• Teach the three lessons in order. Each lesson table shows the stage, minutes, what the teacher does, what students do and the matching PowerPoint slides. Lesson 1: area is the space inside, which is bigger?, cover a book with squares, measure fairly (same size, no gaps, no overlaps), count the squares, pixel pictures. Lesson 2: rows and columns, add the rows, draw the lines in a rectangle, chocolate bars, same area with different shapes. Lesson 3: compare and order areas, longer is not always bigger, draw a shape with a given area, area problems and Area Match. Use the optional fourth lesson for review and the test. Get sticky notes or print the paper squares before Lesson 1.

Assessment

Use the exit tickets after each lesson, whiteboard answers during lessons, and the Quick Quiz or Unit Test after the unit.

Differentiation

Support: Give paper squares or sticky notes to cover and count. Let children put a dot on each square as they count, and start with shapes of fewer than 10 squares. Keep the Area Helper poster on the desk. Give sentence frames ("The area is ___ squares." "It has ___ rows of ." " has the bigger area."). Pair a child who is new to English with a partner who models the sentences.
Extension: Find all the rectangles with an area of 12 squares (1 row of 12, 2 rows of 6, 3 rows of 4), draw 3 different shapes with an area of 7, estimate and then measure the area of a desk in sticky notes, or make a pixel picture with an area of exactly 20 squares. Fast finishers can play Area Explorer (Rows and Columns or Area Problems mode).

Classroom Activity Ideas

• Cover It!: pairs cover books and pencil cases with paper squares, guess first, then count.
• Same area: give each pair 6 paper squares and ask for 3 different shapes.
• Rows of: children stand in rows and columns — the class counts the rows to find how many children.

Teacher Tips

The most common Grade 2 area mistake is counting the little lines around the edge instead of the squares inside (this gives the perimeter, not the area). Ask children to put a dot in every square they count, and to trace the edge with a finger only to show what area is NOT. Start with real covering — sticky notes or paper squares on a book — before squared paper, so children see why the squares must be the same size with no gaps and no overlaps. When rectangles get bigger, move children from counting one by one to adding the rows: "4, 8, 12" is faster and is the first step towards multiplication.

What's Included

• Lesson plan, 2 pages: objectives, 3 timed lessons, optional review and test lesson, differentiation, assessment, board plan, prep checklist, daily routine and success criteria (DOCX + PDF)

Additional Files

• Grade 2 Math Lesson Plan: Area — 3 Lessons with Timings (DOCX)

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