6.RP.2: Understand the concept of a unit rate 𝘒/𝘣 associated with a ratio 𝘒:𝘣 with 𝘣 β‰  0, and use rate language in the context of a ratio relationship.

I can find a unit rate for a given ratio. I can use ratio terms to describe the quantities in a given ratio.

What Your Child Needs to Know

Understanding unit rates and ratio relationships is a fundamental aspect of mathematics that sixth graders encounter. A unit rate is a comparison of any two quantities where the second quantity is one. For example, if a car travels 100 miles in 2 hours, the unit rate is 50 miles per hour. This concept helps students make meaningful comparisons and better understand the relationships between quantities in various contexts, such as in shopping, cooking, or even when comparing speeds. Grasping these concepts will not only enhance their mathematical skills but also improve their problem-solving abilities in daily life.

Real World Practice

Visual models and hands-on activities

Hands-on Activities

1. Grocery Store Unit Pricing

While shopping, ask your child to compare prices of products by finding the unit price. For example, comparing the cost per ounce of different brands of the same product.

2. Cooking with Ratios

Involve your child in cooking by asking them to use recipes and calculate the ratio of ingredients, such as the ratio of water to rice.

3. Speed Check

During a car journey, help your child calculate the car's average speed by using the distance traveled and the time taken.

4. Fuel Efficiency

Discuss the concept of fuel efficiency with your child by checking how many miles per gallon your family car achieves and compare it with other vehicles.

5. Sports Stats

Use sports statistics like batting averages or points per game to discuss ratios and unit rates with your child, enhancing both their sports and math knowledge.

Quick Checks

Strategies and quick activities

Strategies When Your Child Struggles

1. Visual Representation

Encourage your child to draw pictures or use objects to visually represent ratios and unit rates, fostering a deeper understanding.

2. Real-Life Application

Regularly discuss real-life scenarios where ratios and unit rates are applicable, which helps in reinforcing the concepts.

3. Ratio Language Reinforcement

Use ratio language frequently at home. For example, discuss the ratio of windows to doors in your home to normalize the mathematical terminology.

4. Simplifying Ratios

Work with your child on simplifying ratios to find the unit rate, which can make complex problems more manageable.

5-Minute Activities

Activity 1: Ratio Hunt

Have a quick session where your child identifies and writes down ratios they find around the house or while out, such as the ratio of chairs to tables.

Activity 2: Unit Rate Quiz

Create a mini-quiz for your child with simple unit rate problems related to their daily activities or interests.

Activity 3: Comparison Shopping

During a shopping trip, challenge your child to find the best buy by comparing unit prices of products.

Activity 4: Speed Calculation

Ask your child to calculate the speed of different family members walking or running a fixed distance to find who is fastest per unit of time.

Check Progress

Track improvement

Mid-Year Expectations

By the middle of 6th grade, your child should be able to:

  • Students should be able to identify ratios and compute unit rates from given data.
  • They should start using ratio language to describe relationships between two quantities.

End-of-Year Expectations

By the end of 6th grade, your child should be able to:

  • Students should fluently find unit rates and use them to solve real-world problems.
  • They should confidently use ratio language in varied contexts and explain the concept to others.

Mastery Signs

Your child has mastered this standard when they can:

  • Able to solve complex problems involving unit rates without assistance.
  • Can explain the concept of unit rates and their importance in real-life scenarios.

Questions to Ask:

Ask your child to solve these problems and explain their process:

  • If a car travels 300 miles on 10 gallons of gas, what is the car’s fuel efficiency in miles per gallon?
  • A recipe calls for 2 cups of flour and 3 cups of sugar. What is the ratio of flour to sugar?
  • If you buy 8 apples for $4, what is the cost per apple?
  • Calculate the unit rate if 15 books cost $90.