Building Concepts: Ratios and Proportional Relationships

Designed for middle grades mathematics educators, this workshop focuses on strategies for engaging students in new ways of visualizing and thinking about ratios and proportional relationships. By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to say:

• I can use the Building Concepts Ratios and Proportional Relationships lessons to develop and enhance conceptual understanding and improve reasoning about ratios and proportional relationships.
• I can use multiple strategies and visual representations to solve problems involving ratios and proportional relationships.
• I can use the definition of a ratio to
  • connect ratios to slope, rate and scaling;
  • describe the relationship and distinction between fractions and ratios.
• I can connect mathematical concepts through a coherent story within and across grades and share my part in the vertical alignment of concepts.
• I can leverage technology to enhance visualization in support of learning and developing concepts.
• I can implement effective teaching practices to support developing concepts, and I can empower learners to drive the conversation by asking and answering questions of others.

Overview

This in-person workshop is available in one- and two-day options to accommodate educator-specific needs. A half-day workshop option is also available. The two-day workshop offers a more extensive exploration of topics. A virtual workshop is also available in multiple two- or three-hour sessions.

Technology	Beginner to advanced users of: TI-Nspire™ CX handhelds; TI-Nspire software; and/ or TI-Nspire™ App for iPad®
	Introduction to the progressions and Building Concepts lesson series Investigations of problem-solving strategies involving ratios, tables and graphs Exploration of how ratios and proportions are developed within and across Grades 6, 7 and 8
	Introduction to leveled learning progressions and questioning strategies for formative assessment Examination of the difference between a ratio and a fraction and why this distinction is important Development of implementation plans, including anticipated challenges and solutions