Comparing averages
http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L537
A lesson plan for grades 3–5 Mathematics
Students create a box and whisker plot and compare the mean, median, and mode of a set of data. This lesson uses the Representation Process Standard. The activities in this lesson use student names to teach data collection and probability skills.
Students will:
- Create a box and whiskers (or box) plot.
- Find and compare the measures of center for a set of data.
NCTM Standards and Expectations covered in this lesson include:
- Representing data using tables and graphs such as line plots, bar graphs, and line graphs.
- Comparing different representations of the same data and evaluate how well each representation shows important aspects of the data.
- Using measures of center, focusing on the median, and understanding what each does and does not indicate about the data set.
- Describing the shape and important features of a set of data and comparing related data sets, with an emphasis on how the data are distributed.
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 4.02: Describe the distribution of data using median, range and mode.
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.
