The Ministry is migrating nzmaths content to Tāhurangi.           
Relevant and up-to-date teaching resources are being moved to Tāhūrangi (tahurangi.education.govt.nz). 
When all identified resources have been successfully moved, this website will close. We expect this to be in June 2024. 
e-ako maths, e-ako Pāngarau, and e-ako PLD 360 will continue to be available. 

For more information visit https://tahurangi.education.govt.nz/updates-to-nzmaths

Students explore the concept of area as covering a surface, and to introduce the formula for calculating the area of a rectangle.

Teacher notes

  • Students estimate the area of the shape (square, rectangle or L shaped) using a reference square. Students cover the shape with the square, first completing a row or a column and then copying the entire row or column to complete the shape.
  • Students then calculate the area, using the dimensions of the shape to fill in the formula length X width.
  • An animated multiplication table supports students who experience difficulty with calculating the product.

Learning objects

Area concept picture.

Finding the area of compound shapes
Students work with L shaped shapes. Students calculate the area of each part of the L shape then add the results.