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Data Analysis and Probability

Sorting Polygons

6-8
Students identify and classify polygons according to various attributes. They then sort the polygons in Venn Diagrams, according to these attributes. Extensions to fundamental ideas about probability and statistics are also included. This lesson was adapted from an article written by Carol G. Williams, which appeared in the March‑April 1998 edition of Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School.
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Data Analysis and Probability

Weather Watchers

3-5

Students collect and analyze data about the weather and learn to make a stem-and-leaf plot. Students use newspapers, the Internet, or other sources to collect weather data.

This lesson was adapted from "Finding Our Top Speed", as found in Mission Mathematics II: Grades 6–8, a joint NASA/NCTM project, NCTM 2005.

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Measurement

Water, Water

3-5
Students compare the amount of water they use in daily life with the amount allotted for each person each day on a Space Shuttle. Within this context, students estimate and measure the weight of, and amount of space occupied by, a gallon of water. They collect, organize, graph, analyze, and interpret data from their investigations. The activities in this lesson are designed to span 2‑3 class periods.
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Data Analysis and Probability

Pigging Out

3-5
This lesson uses the story of The Three Little Pigs to motivate students to think and reason mathematically in a number of ways. Students develop reasoning skills and identify similarities and differences through the use of Venn Diagram. Spatial reasoning is also emphasized in this lesson.
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Data Analysis and Probability

If the Shoe Fits...

3-5
Students use classification skills to compare and contrast versions of the Cinderella story. Students identify similarities and differences between two versions. In addition, they use attributes to classify and sort information.
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Data Analysis and Probability

Rescue Mission Game

3-5

Students play a game to learn about the four forces of flight: lift, drag, thrust, and weight. Before playing the game, students conduct a probability experiment with spinners and record their results in tally tables and bar graphs. They then use their findings to select spinners with the greatest probability of helping them win the game. In a portion of the game, students use ordered pairs to plot points on the coordinate plane to show their flight path.

This lesson was adapted from Travel in the Solar System in Mission Mathematics II: Grades 3‑5, a NASA/NCTM project, NCTM 1997.

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Data Analysis and Probability

Exploring Linear Data

6-8, 9-12
Students model linear data in a variety of settings that range from car repair costs to sports to medicine. Students work to construct scatterplots, interpret data points and trends, and investigate the notion of line of best fit.
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Data Analysis and Probability

Birthday Paradox

6-8, 9-12
This activity demonstrates the Birthday Paradox, using it as a springboard into a unit on probability. Students use a graphing calculator to run a Monte Carlo simulation with the birthday paradox and perform a graphical analysis of the birthday-problem function. This lesson was adapted from an article, written by Matthew Whitney, which appeared in the April 2001 edition of Mathematics Teacher.
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Data Analysis and Probability

Picture This

3-5
In this lesson, students participate in an activity in which they conduct a survey, analyze and summarize the data they collect, and draw conclusions from their findings. This lesson plan was adapted from the article "Picture This" by Marty Hopkins, which appeared in Teaching Children Mathematics, February 1998, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 354-59.
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Data Analysis and Probability

Long Distance Airplanes

3-5

Students make paper airplanes and explore attributes related to increasing flight distances. Each student collects data from three flights of the airplane and finds the median distance. Students then collect, organize, display, and interpret the median distances for the class in a stem-and-leaf plot.

This lesson was adapted from Travel in the Solar System in Mission Mathematics II: Grades 3‑5, a NASA/NCTM project, NCTM 1997.