LEARN NC

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

Categorical data

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L368

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

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In the first lesson of this unit, students formulate and refine questions that can be addressed with categorical data. They consider aspects of data collection such as how to word questions and how to record the data they collect. Finally they represent and analyze the data in order to answer the question posed. Illuminations provides a link to the bar graphing tool, a survey form, and detailed instructions for completing the lesson.

Students will:

  • Formulate and refine questions that can be addressed with categorical data.
  • Consider aspects of data collection such as how to word questions and how to record the data they collect.
  • Represent and analyze the data in order to answer the question posed.

NCTM Standards and Expectations:

  • Design investigations to address a question and consider how data-collection methods affect the nature of the data set.
  • Collect data using observations, surveys, and experiments.
  • Represent data using tables and graphs such as line plots, bar graphs, and line graphs.

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.
    • Objective 4.02: Determine the number of permutations and combinations of up to three items.
    • Objective 4.03: Solve probability problems using permutations and combinations.

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.