Ratio - Introducing the Ratio Symbol - Presentation

In the lesson focused on introducing the ratio symbol, Year 6 students will learn how to represent ratios using the ':' symbol. The importance of the order of numbers in a ratio is emphasised, as it affects the meaning of the comparison being made. For instance, the ratio of red to grey cubes could be different from grey to red cubes, and understanding this distinction is crucial. The lesson includes activities where students are asked to complete statements by filling in the ratios of coloured cubes, ensuring they grasp the concept of order in ratios. The symbol ':' is read as "to" when expressing ratios, and students will practice this through various examples, including ratios of turnips to garlic, garlic to potatoes, and a three-part ratio involving turnips, garlic, and potatoes.

Further activities delve into the visual representation of ratios and the connection between ratios and fractions. Students are tasked with drawing images to represent cubes and determining what fraction of the cubes are of a particular colour based on the given ratios. This helps solidify their understanding of the part-to-whole relationship inherent in ratios. Reasoning tasks challenge students to identify correct statements about ratios and explain the inaccuracies in others, reinforcing the concept that the order of terms in a ratio is significant. The lesson culminates with independent work where students complete ratios represented by counters, write down ratios, and draw images to depict given descriptions, further honing their skills in understanding and using the ratio symbol.