Aim: How to find the Percent of a Number?

Instructional Objectives:
In this activity, students will be able to

1. create a model  for  certain percents
2. visualize percents through the model
3. find the percent of a number using the model

Vocabulary or Key Concepts:

Percent is the ratio describing a part of a hundred.

Materials:

Colored illustration papers
Visual materials of Model 20, Model 25 and Model 10 (as shown in the procedures)

Procedures:               
Session 1       
“Follow Me” (Paper folding)
Students will be given strip/s of paper to be folded according to a desired model namely:

1. Model 25

2. Model 20

3. Model 10

The teacher will demonstrate on how to fold the paper on each model one at a time. The students will follow the way the teacher folds the paper.

Model  25

1. Mark the left end of the paper 0% and the right end as 100%.
2. Fold the paper in 4 parts.
3. Mark each part as 25%, 50%, and 75% respectively.

Model  20

1. Mark the left end of the paper 0% and the right end as 100%.
2. Fold the paper in 5 parts.
3. Mark each part as 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% respectively.

Model  10

1. Mark the left end of the paper 0% and the right end as 100%.
2. Fold the paper in 10 parts.
3. Mark each part as 10%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% respectively.

Session 2
Show how to use the model by solving some problems.

Examples

1. What is 25% of 60?

Guided questions
"Which model has 25%?”
"How many parts do you see on this model?"
"If 60 is to be divided by 4 parts, then what is each part?"

Model 25

“So, what is 25% of 60?” …50%? …75%?

1. What is 30% of 80?

Guided questions
“Which model has 30%?”
"How many parts do you see on this model?"
"If 80 is to be divided by 10 parts, then what is each part?”

Model 10

“So, what is 30% of 80?”

Activities:
Session 1         
Class/Group Work
Paper folding “Follow Me”

Session 2
Individual Work
Solving the Percent of a Number by using the model

Extension or Follow-up:

Students can keep their model and pull it out anytime they need.
Give more exercises found in their textbook.

Homework:  

Carlos bought a video game for $50 with a 10% tax. What is the amount the tax? How much will he pay in all?

Evaluation: 

What have you learned today? How did you learn it?

Standards:                 

Use of a model strategy to find the percent of a number.

Students:                   

This activity is suited for middle school students. Giving them an alternative way to solve percents is worth a try. A concrete visual of how the percent works would be a great help for them to understand percent better.

Tips for the teacher: 
Make a visual aid of the 3 models of percent. (as shown in the procedures)

You may cut an 8 in x 11 illustration paper into 8 crosswise parts as shown in the figure to be given to the students during the paper folding activity.