Submitted by: Emily Bern

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8

In this lesson plan, which is adaptable for grades 4-8, students use BrainPOP resources to define and give examples of ratios, proportion, and percents. Students then solve word problems and equations to find ratios, proportions and percents.

Students will:

  1. Define and give examples of a ratio, proportion, and percent.
  2. Solve word problems and equations to find ratios, proportions and percents.

Materials:

  • Computers with internet access for BrainPOP
  • Pencils
  • Paper

Vocabulary:

ratio, proportion, percent

Preparation:

Preview the BrainPOP Ratios, Proportions, and Percents movies. Make class copies of the Ratios and Percents worksheets.

Lesson Procedure:

  1. PART ONE: Begin the class with a think-pair-share. Pose the question, “What is a ratio?” In a think-pair-share, students have a few moments to think about their answer, then they turn to a partner to share and discuss their answers. This can also be done in small groups or students can individually write down their answers. When the question is very broad and focuses on an unfamiliar topic, it may be best to put students in small groups.
  2. Record the students’ answers on the board and then create a grade-friendly definition for ratio: A ratio compares two quantities by division. When you compare the part of something to the whole.
  3. Have students watch the Ratios movie on BrainPOP.
  4. Next have students read the Real Life section of the Related Reading feature. As a class, brainstorm real life situations in which we use ratios. Be sure to note the language we use. Example: at the grocery store-30 cents per pound, at the gas station-$3.25 per gallon, when cooking-1 cup of flour for every 12 cookies.
  5. To get students using the language and practicing the use of ratios, ask the students to use ratios to compare things in their surroundings. For example, ask them to create a ratio comparing the amount of students who like math the most to the students who like science the most.
  6. To assist students, provide them with the following list of steps: 1. Tally the amount of students who like math the most. 2. Tally the amount of students who like science the most. 3. Add those numbers to find out how many students are in the entire class. 4. Now answer, "What is the ratio of students that like math the most to students that like science the most?" (ex- 2 students like math for every 3 students that like science) Write out the answer in three ways.
  7. Allow students to practice forming ratios with ideas from their surroundings.
  8. Have students complete the Ratio Worksheet and complete the Quiz.
  9. PART TWO: Tell the students that next you will be talking about proportions. A proportion is like a comparison. Show them the Proportion movie.
  10. Reinforce how to solve a proportion by modeling an example on the board. Then, solve a few as a class.
  11. Next, it's time to practice calculating some proportions. Put some proportions on the board for the students to cross multiply. This can also be done by completing worksheets either in groups or individually.
  12. Assess student comprehension by having them take the Quiz.
  13. PART THREE: Tell the students that you will be talking about percents. A percent is a ratio that compares a number to 100. The word percent means hundred or parts per hundred.
  14. Show the Percents movie.
  15. Give students concrete examples of percents. For example: You can take the day’s schedule and calculate how much of the school day is spent learning math, how much of the school day is spent learning math and science, how much of the entire day is spent in school, how much of the entire day is spent at home, etc.
  16. On their own or in small groups, have students answer the sample problems on the Percents Worksheet.
  17. Assess students learning with the Quiz on BrainPOP.

Extension Activities:

Have students write their own word problems to work more with ratios, proportions, and percents.