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

Stem and leaf hop

The students will measure and record the length of their jumps. The lengths will be used to create a class stem and leaf plot.

A lesson plan for grade 5 Mathematics

By Kathy Sellers

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Learning outcomes

The students will work cooperatively to accurately measure length in centimeters, and they will use the collected data to create a stem and leaf plot.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

1 hour

Materials/resources

  • masking tape
  • meter sticks
  • markers
  • blank paper
  • chalk

Pre-activities

Students will need to be familiar with measuring using centimeters.

Activities

  1. Each group of four students receives an assigned area that has a “starting point” marked with masking tape, at least two meter sticks, paper, and a marker.
  2. In the small groups, each student places heels on masking tape and jumps as far as he/she can with feet together. Each student tries three jumps. The best of his/her jumps is recorded for each student on a paper.
  3. When all students have had sufficient time to complete and record their jumps, the class assembles to create a stem and leaf plot on the chalkboard.
  4. First, the teacher draws a straight line down the chalkboard. A range must be determined to identify the “stem” and the stem digits are written on left side of the line. Each student writes his/her “leaf” in the appropriate space on the chalkboard.
  5. Results can be interpreted as a class.
  6. Students use the blank sheet to create their own stem and leaf plot and identify the range, median, and mode.

Assessment

Orally, the students can read and explain the placement of the digits in the plot. The individual stem and leaf plots with identification of graphing terms exhibit each student’s interpretation.

Supplemental information

Comments

This plot can be recorded and repeated later in the year to compare results.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

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 4.03: Solve problems with data from a single set or multiple sets of data using median, range, and mode.