Math lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 minutes
Unit rates
Ratio and proportion
CCSS 6.RP.A.2CCSS 6.RP.A.3.BEngland: Y6 Ratio and proportionEngland: KS3 RatioEngland: GCSE Foundation Ratio
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Unit rates.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Understand ratios; Division facts
Leads to: Proportional relationships; Speed, density and other rates; Convert between metric and customary units
Materials: Bar models, Double number lines, Ratio tables, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Understand ratios; Division facts). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 15 ÷ 5 = ? → 3Prompt: Think of the multiplication fact.
- Simplify the ratio 21:7. Type it like 3:2. → 3:1Prompt: Find a number that divides both parts.
- 36 ÷ 9 = ? → 4Prompt: Think of the multiplication fact.
Hook · 5 min
- Share a recipe for 4 people and ask how much is needed for 6.
- Share the objective: Unit rates. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: 7 notebooks cost $63. What is the cost of one notebook? (Type the number only.)
- Step 1: 63 ÷ 7 = 9
- Answer: 9
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- 3 notebooks cost $36. What is the cost of one notebook? (Type the number only.) → 12Prompt: A unit rate is the amount for ONE.
- Elena travels 102 km in 2 hours at a steady speed. How far does Elena travel in one hour? → 51Prompt: Find the distance for one hour.
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- 3 notebooks cost $6. What is the cost of one notebook? (Type the number only.) → 2Prompt: A unit rate is the amount for ONE.
- Pack A: 2 juice boxes for $4. Pack B: 5 juice boxes for $15. Which is better value? (Pack A / Pack B / They are the same value) → Pack APrompt: Find the price of ONE juice box in each pack.
Watch out for
- Adding the same amount to both parts instead of multiplying.
- Mixing up part-to-part and part-to-whole ratios.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Understand ratios.
- Use concrete materials: bar models.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Proportional relationships; Speed, density and other rates; Convert between metric and customary units.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-6.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder