Module 1 Counting and understanding number and associated objectives
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Can I understand and explain the relationships between two or more parts of a whole and describe them using the language and notation of ratio?

Example review questions

  • In this tiling pattern, there are 3 yellow tiles for every 2 purple ones:
    A row of fifteen coloured squares. There are three blocks of three squares are coloured in yellow, in between which there are three lots of two purple squares.

    Describe this pattern and record it using ratio notation:
    A row of ten coloured squares, two of which are coloured in yellow. There are two blocks of four purple coloured block in between the yellow squares.
  • The ratio of girls to boys in a class is 2:3. Suggest how many boys and how many girls might be in the class.
  • The height of a model of a building is 2 m. The real building is 30 m tall. How would you represent this ratio?
  • Draw a plate of fruit where the ratio of grapes to strawberries to cherries is 3:1:2

Teaching guidance

This teaching guidance document suggests some of the key vocabulary, models, images and practical equipment that children should experience and be able to use. It also includes some teaching tips to provide a few starting points for ways of supporting children with this area of mathematics.

PDF file Teaching guidance: Can I explain and use ratio notation? | 52KB new window

Consolidation and practice

These resources are to support children in guided or independent work. Roll over the highlighted resources for a description.

PDF file How to use fractions ITP | 144KB new window

SWF file Fractions ITP | 25KB new window

PDF file Teaching activity using fractions | 122KB new window

XLS file Counting stick with further options spreadsheet | 246KB new window

PDF file How to use ratio and proportion ITP | 86KB new window

SWF file Ratio and proportion ITP | 51KB new window

PDF file How to use area ITP | 156KB new window

SWF file Area ITP | 41KB new window

Visit the nrich website new window for further activities to support practice and application.

Fractions

itp_fractions.png

The Fractions interactive teaching program (ITP) is an ICT-based tool to support the exploration of part numbers. Fractions ITP allows the child or teacher to represent and compare fractions on fraction strips. The displayed strips can be labelled as a vulgar fraction, a decimal (to three decimal places) or a percentage, and the ratio of yellow to green parts of each strip can also be displayed.

Ratio and proportion

itp_ratio_and_proportion.png

This interactive teaching program (ITP) is an ICT-based tool to support the exploration of number. Ratio and proportion ITP allows the child or teacher to represent and combine two different liquids in a chosen ratio.

Area

itp_area.png

The Area interactive teaching program (ITP) is an ICT-based tool to support the exploration of number, shape and space and problem solving. Area ITP (version 2.2) allows the child or teacher to place counters or colour in whole or part cells on a grid, pinboard or blank screen, or to define a shape using a rubber band.

Opportunities to use and apply

Possible contexts include:

  • Geography, e.g. interpreting the scale on maps and plans.
  • Design technology or art, e.g. recording the scale that has been used to create models or drawings.
  • Interpreting signs in everyday life, e.g. drawing a diagram to explain the meaning of a 1:10 incline.
    A red triangular road sign showing 1:10 incline.
  • Exploring important mathematical ratios, e.g. The Golden Ratio; Pi.

Confirming learning

Ask probing questions such as:

  • Which of these ratios are equivalent to 5:20?
    1. 4:1
    2. 2:8
    3. 6:21
    4. 1:4
    5. 10:25
    Now give some more ratios that are equivalent to 5:20, justifying your suggestions.
  • A one-metre piece of ribbon is cut into two pieces. One piece is 65 cm long. Write the ratio of the length of the shorter piece to the length of the longer piece in its simplest form.
  • Describe the relationship between the area of the purple shape and the area of the blue shape using the language and notation of ratio.
    A blue trapezium with a small area shaded in purple
  • One-fifth of the children in Class 6 go home for lunch; the rest stay in school. Which of these ratios represents the number of children who go home compared to the number of children who stay in school? Justify your choice.
    1. 1:5
    2. 5:1
    3. 1:4
    4. 4:1