Lesson plan

Lesson Plan: Mathematical Modelling - Percentages and Rational Numbers

Topic

Mathematical Modelling - Number and Algebra
Use mathematical modelling to solve financial and other practical problems involving percentages and rational numbers, formulating and solving the problem, and justifying choices.

Objectives

Students will understand the concept of mathematical modelling in the context of financial and practical problems.
Students will learn to calculate percentages and work with rational numbers.
Students will formulate and solve real-world problems using mathematical models.
Students will justify their choices in problem-solving.

Grade/Age Group

Year 6

Subject

Mathematics

Class Size

20 students

Materials

Whiteboard and markers
Worksheets with practical problems
Graphing calculators (if available)
Pens and pencils
Access to online resources or apps for financial modelling (optional)

National Curriculum Alignment

This lesson aligns with the Australian Curriculum requirements for Year 6 Mathematics, particularly in the areas of Number and Algebra, specifically in the application of mathematical concepts in real-world scenarios.

Lesson Structure

Step Number	Step Title	Length (minutes)	Details
1	Introduction to Topic	5	Introduce the importance of mathematical modelling in real life; discuss examples of percentages and rational numbers.
2	Concept Explanation	10	Explain the concepts of percentages and rational numbers. Provide definitions and examples. Use visual aids as necessary.
3	Guided Practice	5	Work through a couple of sample problems as a class, demonstrating how to formulate and solve problems using these concepts.
4	Individual Practice	5	Distribute worksheets with practical financial problems. Students solve them independently, applying the concepts learned.
5	Review and Justification	3	Go through the answers as a class, asking students to share their solutions and the reasoning behind their choices without presenting.
6	Conclusion	2	Summarise key takeaways and the importance of mathematical modelling. Outline the homework.

Homework

Provide students with a set of problems involving practical applications of percentages and rational numbers to be completed at home.
Assign a reflection piece where students describe how they used mathematical modelling in their answers.

Assessment

Homework will be collected and reviewed to assess understanding of concepts without requiring students to present their work in class.
Informal assessment through observation during guided practice and class discussions.

Additional Notes

Ensure to accommodate students with diverse learning needs by providing support and differentiated tasks if needed.
Encourage student participation through questions and collaborative problem-solving, promoting a participatory environment.

This lesson plan is designed to engage Year 6 students in the practical applications of mathematics, developing their problem-solving skills while adhering to the Australian national curriculum standards.