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.
Leah draws a rectangle on squared paper that is 3 squares wide and 4 squares tall. How many unit squares are inside her rectangle?
Erin draws a right-angled triangle on a 4 by 4 square grid. She counts 6 whole squares and 4 half squares inside it. What is the area of the triangle?
Poppy marks a small right-angled flower bed on a 2 by 2 square grid. It contains 1 whole square and 2 half squares. What is its total area?
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Hannah 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
Area is the space INSIDE the shape
Step 1 of 4
Hannah 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!
Common mix-up: Adding 4 + 3 + 4 + 3 = 14. That adds the outside edge lengths and finds the perimeter. Area counts the 12 unit squares inside the rectangle.
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.
Free to start · no card needed