Math lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 minutes
Understand ratios
Ratio and proportion
CCSS 6.RP.A.1England: Y6 Ratio and proportionEngland: KS3 Ratio
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Understand ratios.
- 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: Equivalent fractions; Times tables to 12 × 12
Leads to: Unit rates; Ratio tables and double number lines; Share in a given ratio
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 (Equivalent fractions; Times tables to 12 × 12). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 9 × 7 = ? → 63Prompt: Is there a fact you already know that is close?
- 6 × 7 = ? → 42Prompt: Is there a fact you already know that is close?
- 5 × 5 = ? → 25Prompt: Is there a fact you already know that is close?
Hook · 5 min
- Share a recipe for 4 people and ask how much is needed for 6.
- Share the objective: Understand ratios. 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: Simplify the ratio 18:12. Type it like 3:2.
- Step 1: Divide both parts by 6.
- Step 2: 18:12 = 3:2
- Answer: 3:2
- 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.
- Simplify the ratio 3:15. Type it like 3:2. → 1:5Prompt: Find a number that divides both parts.
- 3:1 = 12:__ → 4Prompt: Equivalent ratios are made by multiplying both parts by the same number.
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.
- 3:3 = 15:__ → 15Prompt: Equivalent ratios are made by multiplying both parts by the same number.
- Simplify the ratio 3:18. Type it like 3:2. → 1:6Prompt: Find a number that divides both parts.
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: Equivalent fractions.
- 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: Unit rates; Ratio tables and double number lines; Share in a given ratio.
- 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