Ratio - Ratio and Proportion Problems (2) - Planning

In the second week of the Spring term, Year 6 students delve deeper into the world of ratio and proportion through engaging activities and problem-solving exercises. The lesson builds upon previous learning, where students have already gained an understanding of key concepts. They are now tasked with applying these skills to solve various problems set in different contexts. One such activity involves a practical scenario where students must determine the quantities of kale and spinach in a smoothie, given the total mass of the vegetables and the ratio of their masses. To aid comprehension, bar models are introduced as a visual tool to represent the problem, helping students to visualize ratios and understand the relationship between parts and the whole. This approach facilitates the calculation of individual masses by dividing the total mass into equal parts and then applying the ratio.

Group work is an integral part of the lesson, where students collaborate to tackle reasoning problems, such as determining the number of red and blue button-shaped chocolates in packets based on given ratios. This interactive segment includes discussions and step-by-step modelling of the problem-solving process. Independent learning is supported by differentiated fluency and reasoning worksheets, allowing students to practice at varying levels of difficulty. The lesson concludes with a reflective 'Give me five' activity, prompting students to consider what they have learned, the skills they have used, and any challenges faced. Students are encouraged to remember the importance of using bar models to visually represent and solve ratio problems, scaling their understanding from simple to complex scenarios as they progress from working towards fluency to achieving greater depth in their mathematical reasoning.