Learning Activity

Proportional Oh No!

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

7

Overview

In this small group activity, the students will be playing a game of "Oh No!" to practice determining proportional relationships. They take turns pulling a card from a bag and determining if the relationship on the card is proportional or not. If it is, they get to keep the card. If it isn't, they have to put all of their cards back. The winner is the person with the most cards at the end of the game.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 7

MA19.7.2

Represent a relationship between two quantities and determine whether the two quantities are related proportionally.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.7.2

Vocabulary

  • Equivalent ratios
  • proportional
  • Coordinate plane
  • Ratio table
  • Unit rate
  • Constant of proportionality
  • Equation
  • ordered pair

Knowledge

Students know:
  • (2a) how to explain whether a relationship is proportional.
  • (2b) that the constant of proportionality is the same as a unit rate. Students know:
    • where the constant of proportionality can be found in a table, graph, equation or diagram.
    • (2c) that the constant of proportionality or unit rate can be found on a graph of a proportional relationship where the input value or x-coordinate is 1.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • (2a) determine if a proportional relationship exists when given a table of equivalent ratios or a graph of the relationship in the coordinate plane.
  • (2b) identify the constant of proportionality and express the proportional relationship using a variety of representations including tables, graphs, equations, diagrams, and verbal descriptions.
  • (2c) model a proportional relationship using coordinate graphing.
  • Explain the meaning of the point (1, r), where r is the unit rate or constant of proportionality.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • (2a) A proportional relationship requires equivalent ratios between quantities. Students understand how to decide whether two quantities are proportional.
  • (2b) The constant of proportionality is the unit rate. Students are able to identify the constant of proportionality for a proportional relationship and explain its meaning in a real-world context. (2c) The context of a problem can help them interpret a point on a graph of a proportional relationship.

Phase

After/Explain/Elaborate
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

The students will be able to recognize proportional relationships between quantities by testing for equivalent ratios in a table or observing whether the graph is a straight line through the origin.

Activity Details

  • Divide the students into groups of 4-5. Each group of students needs a set of cards and a brown paper bag.
  • The cards should be shuffled and then put into the bag.
  • The students take turns pulling a card from the bag. Once a student pulls a card, he/she has to determine if the relationship on the card is proportional or not. (For the tables, the student will need to look for equivalent ratios. For the graphs, the student should check to see if it is a straight line and if it passes through the origin.)
  • If the card shows a proportional relationship, the student gets to keep the card and play continues with the next student. If the card does NOT show a proportional relationship, the student has to put that card (and all of his previously gathered cards) back into the bag.  
  • Play continues until time is called -- there is no natural end to the game.
  • The winner is the person who has the most cards at the end of the game.
Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

Check to see if students are able to recognize proportional relationships. For grading purposes, you can walk around the room with a student roster and mark a check by each name as they identify a card correctly. You can also ask students to support their determination to verify conceptual understanding.

Variation Tips

These cards can also be used for a simple sorting activity. The students can sort the cards into two groups: proportional and not proportional.

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

You will need a set of cards and a brown paper bag for each group of 4-5 students. The cards can be cut apart ahead of time or the students can do it before they play. Instead of a brown paper sack, any type of opaque container can work.

The students will need instruction on determining proportionality before playing the game.

Digital Tools / Resources

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xb8n78f93X-8Hs9gQE_D90M89wRmFyc740MRBTkArgg…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

seasley
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