Finding the area of shapes by counting unit squares on a grid, understanding that area measures the space inside a shape.
Where your child meets this in real life: Understanding floor tiles, counting squares on graph paper to compare sizes
SEAGReady breaks area by counting squares into 2 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Count whole unit squares to find the area of rectangles and simple rectilinear shapes on a grid
Find the area of shapes with diagonal edges by identifying and combining half squares
Three free sample questions from our area by counting squares course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Ciara draws a rectangle on squared paper that is 3 squares wide and 4 squares tall. How many unit squares are inside her rectangle?
Answer: A. 12 square units
Count the squares inside the rectangle: Row 1: 3 squares Row 2: 3 squares Row 3: 3 squares Row 4: 3 squares 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12 square units
Stuck? Start here: Area is the space INSIDE the shape. Count the squares inside, not along the edge.
Aoife draws a right-angled triangle on squared paper. The base is 4 squares and the height is 2 squares. She counts 2 whole squares inside and 4 half squares along the diagonal edge. What is the area of her triangle?
Answer: A. 4 square units
Whole squares: 2 Half squares: 4 Two halves make one whole: 4 / 2 = 2 whole squares Total area: 2 + 2 = 4 square units
Stuck? Start here: Two half squares combine to make one whole square.
Sean is making a tile pattern. He draws a rectangle on squared paper that is 5 squares wide and 2 squares tall. What is the area of his rectangle?
Answer: B. 10 square units
Count the squares inside the rectangle: Row 1: 5 squares Row 2: 5 squares 5 + 5 = 10 square units
Stuck? Start here: Area means the space inside the shape. Count all the small squares inside.
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Aoife is designing a mosaic pattern. She draws a rectangle on squared paper that is 4 squares wide and 3 squares tall.
How many unit squares are inside her rectangle?
Area = ? square units
Step 1 of 4
Aoife is designing a mosaic pattern. She draws a rectangle on squared paper that is 4 squares wide and 3 squares tall.
How many unit squares are inside her rectangle?
The rectangle has an area of 12 square units.
The key insight: Area counts the squares INSIDE the shape, not along the edges!
Watch out: Counting 14 by including the edge squares twice. Count only the squares inside the shape. The perimeter (edge) is different from area.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in area by counting squares, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.