How to play Surface Measure
Are you teaching area this year? Then you’ll love this fun interactive area tool! With it, you can show simple rectangles and squares on a grid to model the concept of area. Students will love experimenting with the area tool to help solve problems.
How does it work? Simply drag one of the vertices or corners into a new rectangle or square shape. When you let go, the length of each of the sides will automatically appear. The total area will also appear above the grid. You can toggle the total area on or off by using the button in the upper lefthand corner.
This tool is great for students who are just beginning to study area, or for individual practice. Here are some ideas for using it:
Model multiplication problems. Use the area tool to display a concrete example of multiplication problem and allow students to make the transition from counting to counting groups of the same number
Have students toggle off the total area. Then, ask students to use the tool to model a problem. For example, ask them to model a room that’s 8 yards long and 4 yards wide. After modeling and solving for the area, they can toggle the area back on to check their answer.
Ask students to create their own area problem after making a rectangle or square with the tool. Have students challenge a peer with their problems and then check their work together using the tool.
Challenge students to find 2 or more ways to achieve the same total area with differently shaped rectangles.
Want tips and strategies? Read the full How to Play Surface Measure guide.
