Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School - Shrinking Your Class

Summary

This article explained a great way to introduce seventh grade students to the concept of ratios. Students walked into their classroom to see it taken over by little toys scattered all over. These toys became a math activity! Students learned ration by scaling toys down to a smaller size to model them like an architect would a business or home. Once students got the hang of scaling down these items they got to scale themselves down. Students used a 1:20 ratio to scale down arms, legs, and torsos and document the measurements in a data chart. Teachers discuss how the activity was beneficial because it gave students a creative way to understand ratios and size relationship. One of the big problems was the time management skills of the students; not getting their models done in time.

Application

This activity is a really great tool to use for the introduction of ratios. I like it because it gets students interested in the beginning and they get to look past worksheets and learn in a creative way. I feel that this activity can be used to “shrink” any object in the classroom and shrinking the students is great. I would also use this activity to make objects larger in the classroom so students see both ways ratios work. Overall, this activity is good for discovery and introduction of a new concept. I cannot wait to incorporate it into my own classroom someday.

Herron-Thorpe, F, Olson, J, & Davis, D. (2010). Shrinking your class. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, 15(7), Retrieved from http://www.nctm.org/eresources/view_media.asp?article_id=9175