LEARN NC

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

Every breath you take

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L243

A lesson plan for Grades 3–5 Mathematics

Provider: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

About this resource

Appropriate grades
3–5
Subjects
mathematics (applied mathematics, number sense, number theory, probability, statistics)
Provider
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

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Using the number of breaths taken during a specified time period as the context for this exploration, students estimate, experiment, and display real-life data. Illuminations provides detailed instructions and an activity sheet necessary for completing the lesson.

Students will:

  • Make estimates about real-life data.
  • Collect and analyze data.
  • Represent data through physical and graphical means.
  • Develop number sense.

NCTM Standards and Expectations:

  • Collect data using observations, surveys, and experiments.
  • Design investigations to address a question and consider how data-collection methods affect the nature of the data set.
  • Represent data using tables and graphs such as line plots, bar graphs, and line graphs.
  • Recognize equivalent representations for the same number and generate them by decomposing and composing numbers.
  • Understand the place-value structure of the base-ten number system and be able to represent and compare whole numbers and decimals.
  • Develop and use strategies to estimate computations involving fractions and decimals in situations relevant to students' experience.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 1: Number and Operations - The learner will model, identify, and compute with whole numbers through 9,999.
    • Objective 1.01: Develop number sense for whole numbers through 9,999.
      • Connect model, number word, and number using a variety of representations.
      • Build understanding of place value (ones through thousands).
      • Compare and order.
    • Objective 1.06: Develop flexibility in solving problems by selecting strategies and using mental computation, estimation, calculators or computers, and paper and pencil.
  • 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 1: Number and Operations - The learner will read, write, model, and compute with non-negative rational numbers.
    • Objective 1.01: Develop number sense for rational numbers 0.01 through 99,999.
      • Connect model, number word, and number using a variety of representations.
      • Build understanding of place value (hundredths through ten thousands).
      • Compare and order rational numbers.
      • Make estimates of rational numbers in appropriate situations.
    • Objective 1.05: Develop flexibility in solving problems by selecting strategies and using mental computation, estimation, calculators or computers, and paper and pencil.
  • 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 1: Number and Operations - The learner will understand and compute with non-negative rational numbers.
    • Objective 1.01: Develop number sense for rational numbers 0.001 through 999,999.
      • Connect model, number word, and number using a variety of representations.
      • Build understanding of place value (thousandths through hundred thousands).
      • Compare and order rational numbers.
      • Make estimates of rational numbers in appropriate situations.
    • Objective 1.03: Develop flexibility in solving problems by selecting strategies and using mental computation, estimation, calculators or computers, and paper and pencil.
  • 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.