Montana Math MT.3.MD.5
The Standard
Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement by: Understanding that a square with side length 1 unit, called "a unit square," is said to have "one square unit" of area and can be used to measure area, and Understanding that a plane figure which can be covered without gaps or overlaps by n unit squares is said to have an area of n square units.
2026 Montana Mathematics Content Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students recognize area as the space inside a flat shape. They cover a shape with squares that have 1-unit sides, leaving no gaps or overlaps, then count the squares.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can point to a square with 1-unit sides and say it covers one square unit. They count the unit squares covering a figure and give its area in square units.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may count squares around the edge instead of squares inside the shape. They may call a larger square one square unit. They may leave gaps or overlap tiles and still count them as a complete covering.
How to Assess It
- On an exit ticket, show a shape made of seven unit squares on a grid. Ask: What is its area, and how do you know?
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give students twelve 1-inch paper squares and a 3-by-4-inch rectangle; have them cover it edge to edge and name its area.
Show two shapes made from six unit squares; ask students why their areas match even though their outlines differ.
Hand out grid cards showing shapes made of whole squares; partners match cards with equal areas and say each area aloud.
Draw a 6-by-8-foot shed floor on grid paper, with each square representing a 1-foot-square tile, and count the tiles needed.
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Printable MT.3.MD.5 Worksheet
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Related Standards
- MT.3.MD.6
Measure areas by counting unit squares.
- MT.1.MD.2
Express the length of an object as a whole number of length units. Understand that the measurement of an object is the number of same-size length units that spa...
- MT.5.MD.3
Recognize volume as an attribute of solid figures and understand concepts of volume measurement by: Understanding that a cube with side length 1 unit, called a ...
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