Friday, October 19, 2018

Math Strategy: Ratio Tables


What is the math strategy, Ratio Tables, all about?

Math Strategy: Ratio Tables
Math Strand: Number sense and numeration



Location on the Continuum:




Overview:
Ratio tables are a way for students to model their thinking. The structure of a ratio table allows students to find and use multiplicative relationships and equivalent ratios to solve problems in various ways.


How this supports student learning:
Ratio tables promote mental math strategies in a way that resonates intuitively with students, given the structure of the ratio table itself. Some students develop comfort and sophistication with doubling and halving strategies. Some students rely heavily on multiplication by 10’s. Some students prefer additive strategies rather than multiplicative ones. The point is that the ratio table fosters mental math strategies, but in a context and through a structure that supports the child’s development of mathematical understanding.


In the example of 18x5, the student could:

Begin with a known fact, 1x5


Use doubles to solve 2x5


Double 2x5 to find 4x5


Combine 1x5 + 4x5 to find 5x5


Double 5x5 to find 10x5


Combine (1x5 + 2x5 + 5x5 + 10x5 = 18x5) to find 18x5



Where to Next?
Once student are comfortable using a ratio tables, encourage them to continuing exploring doubling and halving and partial product and quotient strategies to move towards proficiently in multiplication. 

Links to support the use of Ratio Tables:

https://www.mathisfigureoutable.com/proportional-reasoning-with-ratio-tables-1/

Share your classroom experiences with Ratio Tables with us on Instagram and Twitter at @LKelempro #EngageLK!

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