Unit 8, Lesson 2
Statistical Questions
Grade 6
Preparation
Lesson Narrative
In this lesson, students continue to analyze questions and the kinds of responses they can expect from those questions. They begin to recognize variability in data and learn about statistical questions and how they differ from non-statistical questions. In order to define variability, students categorize data sets and name the categories to make use of structure by seeking mathematically important similarities between the objects (MP7).
- Justify (orally) whether a question is “statistical” based on whether variability is expected in the data that could be collected.
- Match survey questions to data sets representing possible responses and justify (in writing) why they match.
Let's look more closely at data and the questions they can help to answer.
Required Materials
Activity 1
Required Preparation
Prior to the Warm-up, prepare a large class dot plot for the class to use with a horizontal axis labeled "pencil length (inches)" and intervals of from 0 to 8.
One dot sticker for each student to include in the class dot plot.
Prior to the "What Makes a Statistical Question" activity, prepare a two-column table to record students' observations, and display it for all to see.
Print and cut up cards from the "Sifting for Statistical Questions" blackline master. Prepare one set of cards for every two students.
A statistical question can be answered by collecting data that has different values. Here are some examples of statistical questions:
- Who is the most popular musical artist at your school?
- When do students in your class typically eat dinner?
- Which classroom in your school has the most books?
The variability of a data set describes how different the values are.
Data set B has many different values, while data set A has more of the same values. So, data set B has more variability.