Teaching scaling can be difficult because students are required to think abstractly in math. There are a few important things your students need to understand in order to be successful with scaling. By clarifying these concepts, you can help your students better understand scaling.
An object can be scaled up or down
When teaching scaling, draw three images on the board. First, draw your medium sized image. Then draw a smaller image. Below it, write scaled down. Next, draw the largest image, and beneath it write scaled up. Explain to your students that scaling can go up and down.
Is the fraction greater or less than one whole?
Practice this concept many times before you even introduce scaling. If your students do not understand if a fraction is greater or less than one whole, they will have trouble with comprehending scaling.
The rules for scaling
The most important concept for students to learn, are the rules for scaling. When you multiply by a fraction that is LESS THAN ONE WHOLE, the size will be scaled down. When you multiply by a fraction that is GREATER THAN ONE WHOLE, the size will be scaled up. By knowing this concept, students can determine if their answers are reasonable.
