Cookies, TikTok, and Slime...Oh My! Using Ratios and Proportions
This module explores the use of ratios and proportions delivered through the lively conversation of a group of young mathematicians on their lunch break. Baking cookies, tackling a TikTok challenge, and celebrating with slime present unique ways of showcasing scale factors and proportions through unit conversions with the aid of the Math Magician.
After this module you will be able to:
- Convert measurements within a unit system.
- Apply a scale factor to scale recipes up or down.
- Solve real-world problems using proportions and ratios.
MATH TEKS
- 6.4(C) Give examples of ratios as multiplicative comparisons of two quantities describing the same attribute.
- 6.4(D) Give examples of rates as the comparison by division of two quantities having different attributes, including rates as quotients.
- 6.4(H) Convert units within a measurement system, including the use of proportions and unit rates.
- 6.5(A) Represent mathematical and real-world problems involving ratios and rates using scale factors, tables, graphs, and proportions.
- 7.10(A) Write one-variable, two-step equations and inequalities to represent constraints or conditions within problems.
- 7.10(C) Write a corresponding real-world problem given a one-variable, two-step equation or inequality.
COMMON CORE STANDARDS – MATH
- 6.RP.A.1 Understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities.
- 6.RP.A.3.D Use ratio reasoning to convert measurement units; manipulate and transform units appropriately when multiplying or dividing quantities.
- 7.RP.A.2.B Identify the constant of proportionality (unit rate) in tables, graphs, equations, diagrams, and verbal descriptions of proportional relationships.
- 7.RP.A.3 Use proportional relationships to solve multistep ratio and percent problems.
Materials
- Printable Ratio and Proportions Practice Questions
- Printable Ratio and Proportions Practice Questions Answer Key
- Optional: Shortbread Cookie Recipe and Edible Slime Recipe
Safety
This lesson does not require hazardous or harmful materials; however, the recipes for shortbread cookies and edible slime were included as optional tasks for families to enjoy together. Please consider known (and unknown) allergens and/or dietary restrictions when encountering or consuming foods. Baking, cooking, microwaving, or any form of heating of ingredients requires adult supervision. Be sure adults participate with students during the optional cooking aspects of this lesson.
Activity
Watch activity video below.
Dig Deeper
Try This
Are you ready for Ratios and Proportions Practice Questions? Answer the following questions based on the MEGA Math Cookies, TikTok, and Slime…Oh My! Lesson video. Then, check your answers using the answer key.
- Answer the MEGA Math Practice Questions
- Check your answers with the MEGA Math Answer Key
Read More
Did you know the diameter of Earth wasn’t measured using a ruler? Check out the story of Eratosthenes (his friends called him Beta) as he tackles the impossible with proportions and ratios. Read more
Watch This
Did you know there are mathematics superheroes? Check out Scale Ella as she takes on the evil workings of Scaleo. Watch more
Show What You Know
Meet Our Expert
Did you know you can control the emission of visible light colors from a chemical? Meet Tom Teets, Ph.D., a STEM expert from the University of Houston’s Department of Chemistry, whose research delves into this cool field.
Meet The Teachers
Jacqueline Ekeoba
Program Director, teachHOUSTON STEM Interactive
Lecturer, teachHOUSTON, Department of Mathematics, University of Houston
Jacqueline Ekeoba is an alumna of the inaugural group of students graduating throughthe teachHOUSTON program (University of Houston). She then earned an M.A. in STEM Education and Engineering (University of Texas) and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Global Pragmatic Research in STEM Education (Texas Tech University). As a former high school science teacher and instructional coach, she mentors and volunteers through her church and sorority (Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Gamma Omega Zeta chapter). In her free time, she writes comic book fan fiction, experiments with allergen friendly cooking and channels her inner Beyoncé with karaoke.
Adejoke Adeniyi
Biology Major, Mathematics Minor, teachHOUSTON Preservice Teacher, University of Houston, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Adejoke is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Houston, majoring in Biology and minoring in Mathematics. She is a part of the teachHOUSTON program which supports ongoing field-based teaching experiences. She is studying to be in the medical field in the future and has a great love for mathematics. During her free time, she loves to cook, sing and paint.
Janey Le
Mathematics Major, teachHOUSTON Preservice Teacher, University of Houston, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Janey is a junior at the University of Houston where she is majoring in Mathematics and is part of the teachHOUSTON program. Her wish after graduating from UH is to become an educator and a guide to her future students. She believes that every child deserves the best education possible and should be given the opportunity to showcase their strengths and follow their dreams. When she is not busy with school, she enjoys visiting museums, participating in outdoor activities and learning about different cultures.
Theodore Leung
Mathematics Major, teachHOUSTON Preservice Teacher, University of Houston, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Theodore is currently a sophomore at University of Houston majoring in Mathematics and taking part of teachHOUSTON. He is pursuing a degree in Mathematics. Theodore is looking forward to becoming a high school math teacher and basketball coach. In his free time, he plays basketball, jogs, and plays video games.
Andy Salinas
Mathematics Major, teachHOUSTON Preservice Teacher, University of Houston, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Andy is a current undergraduate at the University of Houston. He has an enormous passion for Mathematics. That being said, he loves to eat “Pi”! When he is not working with numbers, he tends to go jogging or play video games.
Ana Gutiérrez
Mathematics Major, teachHOUSTON Preservice Teacher, University of Houston, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Ana is an undergraduate student at the University of Houston majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Spanish. She is also in teachHOUSTON, a certification program for secondary STEM teachers. Apart from math and Spanish, her third passion is music. In her free time, Ana enjoys singing and playing piano, learning to embroider, watching YouTube and cooking/baking vegetarian food and desserts.
Juan Pantoja
Mathematics Major, teachHOUSTON Preservice Teacher, University of Houston, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Juan is an undergraduate student at the University of Houston. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and obtaining teaching certification through the teachHOUSTON program. He is always in search of something new to learn. You can catch him at his local park in his free time running the trail. He plays the saxophone and considers music his other passion.
Liandra Larsen
teachHOUSTON STEM Interactive Video Editor
Liandra is a Research Graduate Assistant for the teachHOUSTON Program. Currently, she’s pursuing her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Houston. Her research interests include improving the university experience for first-generation and transfer students. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, binge-watching shows on Netflix, and overspending at Target.