Ratio - Using Scale Factors - Planning

The Year 6 curriculum for Spring in Ratio and Proportion delves into the concept of scale factors and their application in enlarging shapes. The focus of the week is to enable pupils to solve problems involving similar shapes by determining or applying known scale factors, and to address problems that involve comparing the relative sizes of two quantities. The lessons aim to equip students with the ability to solve problems involving unequal sharing and grouping, using their knowledge of fractions and multiples. Key vocabulary such as 'scale factor', 'enlargement', 'similar shapes', 'multiplication', and 'division' are integral to the unit, and resources like worksheets and presentations are provided to support the learning process. During the lessons, children engage in activities that involve enlarging rectangles and more complex shapes on squared paper, understanding the importance of multiplying original dimensions by the scale factor to achieve accurate enlargements. Group work and reasoning tasks further enhance their understanding, and the lessons conclude with reflective exercises to consolidate what they've learned, the skills they've used, and any challenges they've encountered.

As students progress through the lessons, they encounter various activities that challenge them to apply scale factors to different shapes. For instance, they are tasked with enlarging rectangles and right-angled triangles by specific scale factors, and they learn that simply adding a fixed measurement to each side does not constitute correct scaling. Through independent work and group discussions, they explore the significance of multiplying each side length by the scale factor to determine the dimensions of enlarged shapes. The curriculum also addresses common misconceptions, ensuring that children can accurately draw 2D shapes to a given scale factor and use appropriate vocabulary to describe the transformations. The lesson structure encourages self-assessment and reflection, with prompts for students to consider what they have learned, the skills they have applied, and the aspects they found challenging, all while being supported by appropriate resources and guidance from adults.