As a component of a course on geometry for preservice elementary teachers (PSTs), we derive area formulas for a variety of polygons including triangles, quadrilaterals, and both regular and irregular shapes whose areas can be measured empirically using decomposition. Decomposing a circle to justify why its area can be measured using the standard formula is more challenging as it requires both empirical and deductive reasoning involving limits. In spite of the challenge, we expected decomposition strategies to transcend work with polygons and support PSTs when thinking about the area of circles. Results show that few PSTs utilized decomposition and instead focused on finding meaning in the symbolism of the formula. Concept images related to area will be discussed. [For the complete proceedings, see ED606556.]