Assessment Summary
Nicole Machowicz
Grade: 3rd
Concept: Understanding area and square units.
Flesch- Kincaid: Assessment directions (excluding “manipulatives”): 2.5
Assessment without certain vocabulary words: 3.8
Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations:
M.UN.03.06 Use square units in calculating area by covering the region and
counting the number of square units.
Assessment Timing: It took me and my mid-term and final partners 10-15
minutes to get out materials and take this modified test, so I expect students to
need 20-30 minutes to complete the test.
Literature Connections:
 Bigger, Better, Best by Stuart J. Murphy, Illustrations by Marsha Winborn
 How Long or How Wide?: A Measuring Guide by Brian P. Cleary,
Illustrations by Brian Gable
Lesson Ideas:
1. Introduce the concept of area by having the students sit in a filled
rectangle and then showing them how to calculate the area of the
rectangle they have just created. Identify the length, width, and units.
2. The students will work with geoboards to build regions with different areas.
Students will draw what they have built on a separate sheet of paper,
making sure that they have labeled the length and the width with proper
units. Students will explain the dimensions and units of each region by
creating a math sentence (Ex: 4cm¹ x 5 cm¹ = 20cm²).
3. The students will use Cuisenaire rods and cm² graph paper to build
regions of different areas. Students will then trace/draw this on their graph
paper and properly label the length and width of their regions. Students
will explain the dimensions and units of each region by creating a math
sentence (Ex: 4cm¹ x 5 cm¹ = 20cm²).
4. The students will go on a scavenger hunt for square/rectangular items
around the classroom. They will measure both the length and the width of
the items and calculate the area of each.
Math Star: ______________________
Estimated Total: ____
37
Actual Total: ____
37
This test will show me how well you understand the area of a
region.
______________________________________________________
Directions:
1. Take a deep breath!
2. Read each question before beginning to work.
3. Use manipulatives and a calculator.
4. Show all work. (Build, Draw, and Explain)
5. Have fun 
1. Circle ALL of the units below that could be used to measure the area of a
region. (3 points)
centimeters²
feet²
inches
meters
cm²
2. Using the geoboards, build, draw, and explain a region having an area of 12
cm². Don’t forget to label! (Hint: There are a few different answers. You only
need one!) (10 points)
Math Sentence: ________________________________________________
____/13
3. By showing your work on the cm² graph paper, use the Cuisenaire rods to build,
draw, and explain a region having an area of 24 cm². Don’t forget to label! (Hint:
There are a few different answers. You only need one!) (10 points)
Math Sentence: _____________________________________________________
4. A sandbox has a length of 5 feet and a width of 4 feet. What is the area of the
sandbox? Feel free to draw a picture and please show your work! (5 points)
Solution: __________________________________________________________
____/15
You’re almost done!
5. The length of a swimming pool is 50 feet. The width is 25 feet. What is the area
of the swimming pool? Be sure to show your work! (Hint: You may have to use
your helpful calculators for this one!) (5 points)
Solution: __________________________________________________________
6. In your own words, explain how you would calculate the area of a rectangular
region. (4 points)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
____/9
Congratulations!!!
Don’t forget to look over your work and estimate how
you think you did!