Whether you’re prepping for a new math teacher position or looking for a fresh approach to teaching equivalent ratios, this post has you covered. I’m sharing two helpful videos that walk you through key teaching strategies. I also include the Equivalent Ratios, Ratio Tables resource, which makes your next lesson simple to plan and effective to teach. Whether you’re a first-time math teacher or a seasoned educator looking to shake things up, this combination is a great way to boost your confidence and get your students thinking deeply about ratios.
Watch the Videos for A Step-by-Step Breakdown of Equivalent Ratios
Start by watching both videos. The first video introduces what equivalent ratios are using ratio tables and double number lines. These are visuals that make it easier for your students to see the relationship between quantities. You’ll hear familiar examples like batches of cookies and cups of flour. This helps to tie abstract math concepts to everyday thinking.
In the second video, you’ll see how to walk through a practice page from my Equivalent Ratios resource with your students. The pacing is intentional. Each problem is modeled step-by-step with explanations of why each move works. It’s a great tool whether you’re planning whole group instruction, prepping for a small group, or just reviewing the topic.
What The Equivalent Ratios Resource Covers
After introducing the concept in a whole-group lesson, I like to use the Equivalent Ratios Ratio Tables Lesson to keep the momentum going. The resource includes a clear, teacher-guided notes page that mirrors what I model in the video. Your students will follow along as they explore examples. Then, they move into a practice page with a variety of ratio table problems that require computation and reasoning.
From there, your students will encounter real-world scenarios that push them to apply what they’ve just learned. They will solve problems about eggs in cartons, minutes and hours, money earned per hour, and more. These problems aren’t just surface-level math. They help your students see the value of ratios in their daily lives. It also gives you multiple opportunities to reinforce how multiplicative relationships work.
There’s also an exit ticket included. The exit slip makes it easy to check for understanding at the end of the lesson or as a quick warm-up. Everything in the resource is scaffolded. It’s just enough to support your learners while still challenging them to think critically about the ratios they’re working with.
Bonus Tip: Emphasize the “Why”
As you work through this lesson, take time to highlight why we multiply or divide both parts of a ratio by the same number. It might seem like a small thing, but this step is where a lot of our students get tripped up. When our students understand the why, they can better transfer their knowledge to more complex problems later.
I’ve found that modeling a few non-consecutive examples helps drive this point home. It discourages our students from simply adding down the column, and instead nudges them to focus on multiplicative reasoning. I also loved having my students create their own tables based on something they care about. Some might analyze the time playing video games compared to chores, or how long it takes to run a certain number of laps. These personal connections make the math feel more real.
Equivalent Ratios Made Simple
These videos and the equivalent ratios resource go hand in hand to help you teach with more clarity and confidence. You’ll have a toolkit of strategies that help your students reason through problems, represent their thinking visually, and apply their understanding in a meaningful way. If you’re ready to strengthen your ratios unit, this is the perfect place to start or refresh.
Save for Later
Ready to teach equivalent ratios with confidence but not quite there yet? Be sure to save this post to your favorite teaching Pinterest board so it’s easy to find when you’re planning your ratios unit. That way, when you’re ready to dive in, you’ll have everything—videos, explanations, and a complete, ready-to-go resource right at your fingertips.
