Ratio Lab Guide Teacher Resource Ratio Lab Guide
Teacher Resource
Objective
Distinguish Part-to-Part vs. Part-to-Whole
Duration
40 Minutes
Grade Level
6th Grade Math
Materials Needed
Two-colored counters (red/yellow)
Mini-whiteboards & Dry erase markers
Ratio Lab Slides
YouTube Video: "Math with Mr. J"
Key Vocabulary
Ratio
A comparison of two quantities.
Part-to-Whole
Comparing a subset to the entire group.
Simplify
Reducing terms using the Greatest Common Factor (GCF).
1
Warm-up: Counter Count (5 min)
Distribute handfuls of counters to students. Ask them to determine three values on their whiteboards:
Number of Red
Number of Yellow
The Whole (Total)
2
Video: Visual Modeling (5 min)
Watch segment 0:00 - 1:50 of "Math with Mr. J".
Key Pause Point (0:55)
"Why don't we just use the number of strawberries as the second number?"
Address the common mistake of providing a part-to-part ratio when a part-to-whole is requested.
3
Activity: Counter Ratios (20 min)
Display ratio prompts on the board. For each prompt, students must:
Physically move their counters to model the "Part" and the "Whole".
Write the initial ratio on their whiteboard (e.g., Red : Total).
Check for a common factor and write the Simplified Ratio.
4
Closure: Conceptual Check (10 min)
Discussion Anchor:
"Why is the 'Whole' number always larger than the 'Part' number?"
Listen for: The whole contains all parts; a part is only a piece of the entire group.
Ratio Lab Slides Math Laboratory
Ratio Lab
Part vs. Whole Comparisons
Warm-Up: Counter Check
Take a handful of counters and record these 3 values on your whiteboard:
How many RED?
How many YELLOW?
The TOTAL (Whole)
Show your work on the board!
The "Whole" Idea
What is it?
A Part-to-Whole ratio compares one piece of the group to the entire collection.
Golden Rule
ORDER MATTERS!
Requested:
RED : TOTAL
Ratio:
12 : 30
Example: Fruit Ratios
0:00 - 1:50
Embedded media
Pause & Reflect
Discussion 0:55
"Why don't we just use the number of strawberries as the second number in the ratio?"
Check Your Work 1:24
Is 6 : 14 the final answer? How can we check if it can be Simplified?
LAB CHALLENGE
Build the following ratios with your counters. Record the Initial Ratio and the Simplified Ratio on your boards!
01
Challenge #1
RED to TOTAL
Step 1
Build it with counters
Step 2
Simplify on Whiteboard
02
Challenge #2
YELLOW to TOTAL
"Wait, did you count the whole group correctly?"
Total = Red + Yellow
03
Challenge #3: WARNING
RED to YELLOW
Is this a Part-to-Whole ratio?
YES NO
Explain your answer on your board!
Final Challenge
If you have 8 Red and 12 Yellow counters, what is the SIMPLIFIED ratio of...
YELLOW to TOTAL
Target: ? : ?
"Why is the Whole number always larger than the Part number?"
Discuss with your neighbor and be ready to share with the whole lab!
Ratio Lab Report Worksheet RATIO LAB REPORT
Part-to-Whole Investigation
Student:
Date:
1 Initial Data Collection
Count your handful of counters and record the numbers below.
Red Counters
Yellow Counters
Total (The Whole)
2 Counter Ratio Challenges
Challenge Description Initial Ratio Simplified Ratio Red to Total Yellow to Total Red to Yellow (Bonus Check)
Is the Red to Yellow ratio a Part-to-Whole or a Part-to-Part ratio? Circle one: PART-TO-WHOLE / PART-TO-PART
3 Video Game Analysis
"Mo has 7 sports games, 3 racing games, and 8 action games."
Ratio of Sports to All Games:
Ratio of Action to All Games:
Show your simplification for Action Games to All Games:
4 The Big Question
In your own words, explain why the "Whole" number in a ratio is usually larger than the "Part" number.