Understanding Ratios in Math 

How well do your students understand the concept of ratios? Are they able to describe the relationship of different quantities in different forms? When expressing ratios, students can write them either with a colon, with words, or as a fraction. Additionally, students must be able to look at a visual model and create a ratio based on the image. 

If you are looking for a printable resource to use in your ratio and proportional relationships unit, you have landed in the right place! Teach Starter has created a match-up activity for students to use as they begin to explore the concept of a ratio. 

Prior to student use, cut apart 36 task cards. Students match each ratio to the correct corresponding word story and visual model, making 12 sets of 3 matches.

Through this activity, students will show they understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a relationship between two quantities.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your math lessons. 

In addition to individual student work time, use this match-up activity to enhance learning through guided math groups or whole class lessons.

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

If there are students who need additional support, encourage them to reference previous assignments, posters, or anchor charts as means of recalling how to form ratios.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students who need a bit of a challenge, encourage them to create additional ratios that are equivalent to each example. The ratios can be written with a colon, with words, or as a fraction.

💃 Mirror Game🕺

This activity works best with small groups because you’ll need enough dry-erase boards and markers for each student. Divide your class into 2 groups seated in 2 lines facing each other. Project a task card and give students a set time to record the ratio on their board. On your cue, the students turn their boards around so their partner can see their answers. If both students in a pair have the correct answer, they get 2 points. If one has the correct answer, the team gets 1 point.

Plan lessons for all ability levels with our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the color PDF, black and white PDF, or editable Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download.

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

Sustainability Tip: Print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them.  

This resource was created by Cassandra, a teacher in Colorado and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

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Converting Ratios – Color by Number Worksheet

Reveal a mystery image by converting a ratio to a percentage with this color-by-number worksheet.

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Writing Ratios – Task Cards

Practice how to write a ratio in different ways with this set of 24 task cards.

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Writing Ratios – Worksheet

With this worksheet, practice representing ratios as a fraction, with a colon, or with words.