Objective
By the end of this lesson, Amy will be able to confidently use a calculator to calculate percentages and fractions. She will understand how to convert between the two and apply these skills to real-life situations.
Materials and Prep
- A calculator
- Notebook and pen for notes
- Basic understanding of fractions and percentages
Activities
-
Calculator Scavenger Hunt:
Set up a scavenger hunt where Amy has to find different percentages of given numbers using her calculator. For example, "What is 25% of 80?" This will help her practice her calculation skills in a fun way.
-
Fraction to Percentage Conversion Game:
Create a game where Amy has to convert fractions to percentages using her calculator. For instance, if she sees the fraction 1/4, she will calculate what percentage that is. This can be timed for extra fun!
-
Real-Life Application Project:
Ask Amy to create a small project where she uses her calculator to find percentages in real life, like discounts during shopping or calculating tips at a restaurant. She can present her findings at the end of the lesson.
Talking Points
- "Let's start by understanding what a percentage is. A percentage is simply a way to express a number as a part of 100. For example, 50% means 50 out of 100."
- "When you use a calculator to find a percentage, you can multiply the number by the percentage (written as a decimal). So, to find 20% of 50, you would calculate 50 x 0.20."
- "Fractions are also a way to show parts of a whole. For example, 1/2 means one part out of two equal parts. To convert a fraction to a percentage, you can divide the top number by the bottom number and then multiply by 100."
- "It's important to practice these skills because you can use them in everyday life, like figuring out how much money you save when something is on sale!"
- "Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you use your calculator for these types of problems, the easier they will become."