Tiny Problems

So...we went the other way with math problems, after the excitement of the giant pencil problem, we looked at problems in proportional reasoning involving tiny items like play mobile hats, lunchboxes, doll shoes, etc.  Students were able to compare these items and come up with ratios in relation to life-size versions. Using these ratios they then calculated the relative size or height of the people who would use these items. In some cases we were able to compare with the dolls like the play Mobile dolls and we found that proportions did not match up.