LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Comparing categorical and numerical data

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L370

A lesson plan for Grades 3–5 Mathematics

Provider: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

About this resource

Appropriate grades
3–5
Subjects
mathematics (probability, statistics)
Provider
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Special requirements
4.01 MAT Grade 4, 4.01, 4.04 MAT Grade 5, 4.01, 4.02

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Students will compare and contrast categorical and numerical data, based upon their work in previous lessons. Illuminations provides detailed instructions necessary for completing this lesson. After the teacher has assessed students’ prior knowledge, students classify items as either categorical or numerical. Then, through teacher designed activities, students learn to create graphs that display data.

Students will:

  • Recognize differences in representing and analyzing categorical and numerical data.

NCTM Standards and Expectations:

  • Compare different representations of the same data and evaluate how well each representation shows important aspects of the data.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use data and simple probability concepts.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including circle graphs and tables) to solve problems.

Grade 4

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs, probability, and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including line graphs and bar graphs) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.04: Design experiments and list all possible outcomes and probabilities for an event.

Grade 5

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including stem-and-leaf plots) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.02: Compare and contrast different representations of the same data; discuss the effectiveness of each representation.