Year 4 area by counting squares, over four pages. Ten coloured shapes, labelled A to J, sit on one centimetre grid, from a 3 by 2 rectangle to L, T and step shapes. Pupils count the squares in each and write the area in cm². Three more questions use those answers: which shape is biggest, which two match, and how shapes A to E order from smallest to largest. The key gives every area. It follows England National Curriculum measurement.
Measurement
“find the area of rectilinear shapes by counting squares”
Questions 1 to 10 each ask for the area of one shape, from 5 cm² for the thin bar C to 18 cm² for the rectangle D.
Measurement
“estimate, compare and calculate different measures, including money in pounds and pence”
Questions 11 to 13 compare the areas pupils have found, by size and by order.
One grid holds rectangles A, B, C and D, L shapes E and H, T shapes F and I, a step shape G and a block with a notched corner, J. Answer boxes for A to H sit below it.
The last two answer boxes, for shapes I and J, carry over onto this page.
Three questions that use the ten counts: the biggest area, the two shapes with the same area, and the order of A to E from smallest to largest.
Each area with its method, such as 4 + 3 for the L shape E. Shapes A and F both come to 6 cm².
Counting methods
Use the step shape G on the board. Show pupils how to count it by columns, 4 + 3 + 2 + 1, before they try the L and T shapes.
Pairs check
Ask pairs to count the same three shapes separately, then compare totals. The L and T shapes such as E and I are the likeliest to give different counts.
Plenary
Ask pupils to read out their order for question 13 and say which two neighbours were closest in area.
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