Measures of Central Tendency Lesson Plan
Subject: Math – Measures of Central Tendency
Grade: 6th
GLE Standard: Mathematics - Data and Probability. 2. Select and use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data. A. Describe and analyze data - find the range and measures of center, including median, mode, and mean.
Materials:
- Bag of mixed candy, or something comparable the students can sort and count
- Whiteboard/blackboard
- Computer and display ability
- Legal sized paper or construction paper
Objectives/Learning Targets: By analyzing a set of data, students will be able to calculate mean, median, mode, and range.
Introduction:
- After greeting the class show a short video, on mean, median, mode, and range, called “Measures of Central Tendency Rap” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jVZi0cNHls
- Give the students a Handout highlighting the key concepts of mean, median, mode, and range, as well as some example problems and the steps to work them
- Next, show the class a large bag of assorted candy, for example a 105 count bag of assorted Easter candy, and ask the class to guess the amount of each candy type
- Finally, group students and distribute the candy (so the students can be ready to sort and count the candy)
Lesson Procedure:
Modeling/Teaching: With the help of the students, separate the various candy types and count how many of each type are in the bag.
Write on the board the results of the data, note which candy type has the least, the most, and if any have the same amount. Example: The data results were:
Starburst M&M’s Twix 3 Musketeers Snickers 24 22 19 24 16
Proceed to find the measures of central tendency:
For finding the mean, explain that the total amount of each candy type make up the sum. Not every bag of mini candies will have the same amount. To find the mean or average amount of each candy type,
Grade: 6th
GLE Standard: Mathematics - Data and Probability. 2. Select and use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data. A. Describe and analyze data - find the range and measures of center, including median, mode, and mean.
Materials:
- Bag of mixed candy, or something comparable the students can sort and count
- Whiteboard/blackboard
- Computer and display ability
- Legal sized paper or construction paper
Objectives/Learning Targets: By analyzing a set of data, students will be able to calculate mean, median, mode, and range.
Introduction:
- After greeting the class show a short video, on mean, median, mode, and range, called “Measures of Central Tendency Rap” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jVZi0cNHls
- Give the students a Handout highlighting the key concepts of mean, median, mode, and range, as well as some example problems and the steps to work them
- Next, show the class a large bag of assorted candy, for example a 105 count bag of assorted Easter candy, and ask the class to guess the amount of each candy type
- Finally, group students and distribute the candy (so the students can be ready to sort and count the candy)
Lesson Procedure:
Modeling/Teaching: With the help of the students, separate the various candy types and count how many of each type are in the bag.
Write on the board the results of the data, note which candy type has the least, the most, and if any have the same amount. Example: The data results were:
Starburst M&M’s Twix 3 Musketeers Snickers 24 22 19 24 16
Proceed to find the measures of central tendency:
For finding the mean, explain that the total amount of each candy type make up the sum. Not every bag of mini candies will have the same amount. To find the mean or average amount of each candy type,