National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015

Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning

Inquiry Lab: Unit Rates

Common Core State Standards

Common Core State Standards

7.RP.1 Compute unit rates associated with ratios of fractions, including ratios of lengths, areas and other
quantities measured in like or different units. For example, if a person walks 1/2 mile in each 1/4
hour, compute the unit rate as the complex fraction 1/2/1/4 miles per hour, equivalently 2 miles per
hour.
7.RP.2 Recognize and represent proportional relationships between quantities.
7.RP.2b Identify the constant of proportionality (unit rate) in tables, graphs, equations, diagrams, and verbal
descriptions of proportional relationships.

In this lab, emphasize Mathematical Practice 4 (Model with Mathematics). Using bar diagrams to model ratios
will help students visualize ratios. Being able to visualize a ratio will help students estimate answers to real-world
ratio problems.

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Inquiry Lab: Unit Rates

1 Launch the Lab

Focus narrowing the scope

Objective Use bar diagrams to solve problems involving ratios and rates. 7.RP.1, 7.RP.2, 7.RP.2b

Coherence connecting within and across grades

Now Next
Students use models to find unit rates. Students will solve real-world problems involving unit
rates.

Rigor pursuing concepts, fluency, and applications

See the Levels of Complexity chart in the Collaborate section.

Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate

Develop the Concept
The activity is intended to be used as whole-group activity.

Numbered Heads Together Arrange students in groups of 3–4 to complete Steps 1–3. Each
member of the group is assigned a number from 1 to 3 or 1 to 4, and is responsible to ensure that every person
understands each step. Call on one student number to share the group’s responses with the class. 1, 2, 5, 7
Have students use the guess, check, and revise problem-solving strategy to determine the amount
Jeremy saves each day.
Students may write an extension of the given problem to include a $2 or $4 daily allowance. Have
them note how the bar diagram and equation change. 1, 3, 5

Tips for New Teachers

In the Activity, since the word "savings" comes before "expenses," it also comes first in the ratio 7:5.

The McGraw-Hill Professional Development Video Library provides short videos that support Glencoe
Math. The featured video for mathematical content in this lab is:
Rate and Measurement Problems
Resources
Chapter 1, Inquiry Lab Presentation, Course 2
Rate and Measurement Problems
Virtual Manipulatives

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Inquiry Lab: Unit Rates

2 Collaborate

Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate

The Investigate and Analyze and Reflect sections are intended to be used as small-group investigations. The
Create section is intended to be used as independent exercises.
Levels of Complexity
The levels of the exercises progress from 1 to 3, with Level 1 indicating the lowest level of complexity.

Pairs Discussion Have students work in pairs to complete Exercise 1. Provide them with a
partially completed bar diagram and have them discuss how each part of the bar diagram represents the problem.
1, 5

Pairs Consult Have students work in pairs to complete Exercises 3 and 4. Have students share
their real-world problem they wrote in Exercise 3 with another pair of students. Then have them alter the problem
they wrote and explain how the bar diagram and answer would change. 1, 4, 5
Students should be able to answer “HOW can you use a bar diagram to solve a real-world problem
involving ratios?” Check for student understanding and provide guidance, if needed.

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Inquiry Lab: Unit Rates

Additional Activities for Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated Instruction activities for Approaching Level, On Level, and Beyond Level Learners can be found at
point-of-use in the Launch the Lab and Collaborate sections.

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Inquiry Lab: Unit Rates

Additional Activities for English Learners

Differentiated Instruction activities for English Learners can be found at point-of-use in the Launch the Lab and
Collaborate sections. The following is an additional activity.

Option 1: Use Chapter 1, Inquiry Lab: Unit Rates from the Interactive Guide for English Learners.
Resources
Interactive Guide for English Learners, Student Edition, Course 2, Inquiry Lab: Unit Rates
Interactive Guide for English Learners, Teacher Edition, Course 2, Inquiry Lab: Unit Rates
Interactive Guide for English Learners, Course 2, Teacher Edition
Interactive Guide for English Learners, Course 2, Student Edition
Visual Kinesthetic Vocabulary, Course 2, Student Edition
Visual Kinesthetic Vocabulary, Course 2, Teacher Edition

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 National Glencoe Math, Course 2, © 2015
Chapter 1: Ratios and Proportional Reasoning
Inquiry Lab: Unit Rates

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