Measure the area of flat shapes using square centimetres
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can measure the area of shapes using square centimetres.
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.
Teacher tip
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.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.To which mathematical term does this definition belong? is the measurement of a flat surface. It measures a 2D space.
Q2.Which shape is most commonly used to measure area?
Q3.What is the missing number? 6, 12, 18, , 30
Q4.Order the following units of length from smallest to largest
Q5.Match the image with the correct description.
b
c
a
Q6.Match the shapes with their correct areas in square units.
b
a
c
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.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.
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'?
Q4.Which of these is the best estimate for the area of the front of a note book?
Q5.What is the area of this shape? cm²
Q6.What is the area of this shape? cm²
To help you plan your 5 maths lesson on: Measure the area of flat shapes using square centimetres, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 maths lesson on: Measure the area of flat shapes using square centimetres, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Link area of rectangles to multiplication unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.