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Lesson 1 of 10
Measure the area of flat shapes using square centimetres
I can measure the area of shapes using square centimetres.
Lesson 1 of 10
New
New
Measure the area of flat shapes using square centimetres
I can measure the area of shapes using square centimetres.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Area can be measured in square centimetres.
- You write square centimetres as cm²
- Fractions of square centimetres can be added to make whole square centimetres.
Keywords
Square centimetres - Square centimetres are the area equal to a square that is one centimetre on each side.
Rectilinear - A rectilinear shape is a 2D shape with straight sides and right angles.
Common misconception
Some pupils count fractions of a square, such as a right-angles triangle, as a whole square unit.
Cut out the shape to show that two ‘parts’ of a square sometimes go together to make a complete square unit.
A useful way to give pupils an idea of the magnitude of a square metre when compared with a squared centimetre is placing a 1 cm cube inside four metre sticks put together to make a square shape.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.To which mathematical term does this definition belong? is the measurement of a flat surface. It measures a 2D space.
To which mathematical term does this definition belong? is the measurement of a flat surface. It measures a 2D space.
Perimeter
Polygon
Ruler
Q2.Which shape is most commonly used to measure area?
Which shape is most commonly used to measure area?
Triangle
Rectangle
Circle
Q3.What is the missing number? 6, 12, 18, , 30
What is the missing number? 6, 12, 18, , 30
Q4.Order the following units of length from smallest to largest
Order the following units of length from smallest to largest
Q5.Match the image with the correct description.
Match the image with the correct description.
b
c
a
Q6.Match the shapes with their correct areas in square units.
Match the shapes with their correct areas in square units.
b
a
c
Assessment exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.Order the following areas from largest to smallest.
Order the following areas from largest to smallest.
Q2.Match the item with the square unit that would be the most useful for finding its area.
Match the item with the square unit that would be the most useful for finding its area.
a small town
the surface of a daisy petal
the floor in a bathroom
a phone screen
Q3.Which of these is another way of writing 'square centimetres'?
Which of these is another way of writing 'square centimetres'?
2 cm
cm2
Q4.Which of these is the best estimate for the area of the front of a note book?
Which of these is the best estimate for the area of the front of a note book?
10,000 cm²
10 cm²
1,000 cm²
Q5.What is the area of this shape? cm²
What is the area of this shape? cm²
Q6.What is the area of this shape? cm²
What is the area of this shape? cm²
