Unit Plan 5 (Grade 6 Math): Percent Sense—Part, Whole, Percent
6th graders develop strong percent sense using models like bars, grids, and tables. They find parts, wholes, and percents in real contexts, apply benchmarks for estimation, and explain reasoning clearly with accurate units and “per 100” understanding.
Focus: Find a percent of a quantity; find whole or part given the other two; connect to 100% benchmarks.
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: Mathematics (Ratios & Proportional Reasoning)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week builds deep percent sense using multiple models (percent bars, 10×10 grids, double number lines, ratio tables) and benchmark reasoning (1%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%). Students solve all three percent forms: find the part, find the whole, and find the percent. Emphasis: units, base identification (what is “the whole”?), and reasonableness via benchmarks and estimation.
Essential Questions
- How do models help me see percent as “per 100”?
- How can I find a part, a percent, or the whole when given the other two?
- Which benchmarks (10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) make mental percent reasoning efficient?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Explain percent as “for every 100” and connect fractions ↔ decimals ↔ percents using models.
- Use percent bars, 100-grids, double number lines, and ratio tables to solve percent problems.
- Compute a percent of a quantity and justify with benchmark or scaling strategies.
- Find the whole when given a part and a percent; find the percent when given a part and a whole.
- Judge reasonableness with benchmark estimates and write clear unit statements.
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 6
- 6.RP.3c: Find a percent of a quantity as a rate per 100; solve problems involving finding the whole, given a part and the percent.
- Mathematical Practices emphasized: MP.1 (make sense), MP.3 (justify), MP.4 (model), MP.5 (tools), MP.6 (precision), MP.7 (structure), MP.8 (regularity).
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can explain a percent as “out of 100.”
- I can use a model (percent bar, 100-grid, table, double number line) to solve and check.
- I can find the part (for example, 35% of 60), the percent (what percent is 12 of 48?), or the whole (15 is 20% of what?).
- I can use benchmarks (10%, 25%, 50%, 75%) to estimate and check if my answer makes sense.
- I can write a sentence with units that answers the question.