Teach Area–Yum, Yum!

Lower elementary students must calculate the area of a shape by counting square units.  Inch tiles work well for this if students are calculating the area of a rectangular shape.  However, if you want to make your lesson extremely engaging give your students Cheez-its or square Starburst candies which measure an exact square inch.  Students will eagerly measure their square units using these yummy manipulatives knowing they can munch on them later.