Grade 6 Math Lesson Plan: Ratio and Rates

Learning Objectives

• Write a ratio in words and with a colon (a:b) and explain why the order matters.
• Find equivalent ratios by multiplying or dividing both parts by the same number.
• Simplify a ratio using the greatest common factor.
• Share an amount in a given ratio using a bar model.
• Find a unit rate and use unit rates to compare prices and speeds.

Lesson Procedure

• Read the overview and success criteria before teaching.
• Lesson 1 — What is a ratio? (50 min): follow the stage table (warm-up, teach, practice, exit ticket).
• Lesson 2 — Equivalent ratios and simplifying (50 min): follow the stage table (warm-up, teach, practice, exit ticket).
• Lesson 3 — Sharing in a ratio (50 min): follow the stage table (warm-up, teach, practice, exit ticket).
• Lesson 4 — Rates, unit rates and best buys (50 min): follow the stage table (warm-up, teach, practice, exit ticket).
• Use the matching PowerPoint, worksheet and assessment from this pack — the plan refers to their slide and part numbers.

Assessment

Exit tickets in lessons 1 and 3. Worksheet Parts A–E with the answer key. Unit Assessment (16 marks). Performance task (rubric): "Party Planner" — scale a recipe for a party and choose the best-buy ingredients.

Differentiation

Support: Use counters or cubes for every ratio question. Challenge: Ratios with three parts (2:3:5). English language learners: Teach the frame: "For every ___ there are ___."

Classroom Activity Ideas

• Ratio Match (12 minutes, Groups of 3–4): Spread the cards face up. Players take turns to find a matching pair and say a sentence: "For every 2 red there are 5 blue."
• Best Buy Detective (15 minutes, Pairs): Each pair gets 3 products, each sold in two pack sizes. Find the price for one (unit rate) for each pack.
• Human Bar Model (10 minutes, Whole class): Call 5 students. Give 2 a red strip and 3 a blue strip: they are the bar model for 2:3. Give the "total" to the class (e.g. 30 sweets). Students work out one box.

Teacher Tips

Keep the bar model on the board all week: it works for sharing, recipes and scale. Prices use dollars ($) so the pack works in any country; swap in your local currency if you like.

What's Included

• 5-page lesson plan (PDF + editable DOCX)
• Lesson 1 — What is a ratio? (50 min)
• Lesson 2 — Equivalent ratios and simplifying (50 min)
• Lesson 3 — Sharing in a ratio (50 min)
• Lesson 4 — Rates, unit rates and best buys (50 min)
• Key vocabulary table, materials list and success criteria
• Differentiation (support, challenge, English language learners)
• Common misconceptions with fixes, and teacher tips

Additional Files

• Grade 6 Math Lesson Plan: Ratio and Rates (DOCX)

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