Modeling Prompt 2
Display Your Data
Algebra 1
Standards Addressed
HSS-ID.A.1
Represent data with plots on the real number line (dot plots, histograms, and box plots).
HSS-ID.A.2
Use statistics appropriate to the shape of the data distribution to compare center (median, mean) and spread (interquartile range, standard deviation) of two or more different data sets.
HSS-ID.A.3
Interpret differences in shape, center, and spread in the context of the data sets, accounting for possible effects of extreme data points (outliers).
Student Handouts
Coming soon!
In-Class Launch
Use after Unit 1, Lesson 15
Ask students to think about a question that interests them and for which they would need to gather data in order to answer. They will choose a question, find data relevant to it, and present their results with a data display or an infographic. Either show students examples of infographics, or ask them to look up a few examples.
Arrange students in groups in advance, or allow them to choose groups, based on the question that most interests them.
Task Statement 1
Teacher Instructions
Students may not find the information they need to answer the question that originally interests them. They can refine and change their question to align with available data.
If students are not sure where to begin, it might help them to think about questions that compare two groups. They have been comparing data sets, using measures of center and variability, and this kind of data analysis will be expected of them.
Choose a question that you think is interesting, the answer to which you do not know. You will gather data relevant to this question, either by doing an experiment or by researching available data, so choose a reasonable question.
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Write your question.
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What do you predict you will learn from the data?
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Next, gather your data. Display the data and answer the questions, using one of the given options.
Option 1: Create a display that shows the distribution of the data. Include both measures of center and measures of variability.
- Why is the data display you selected the best way to summarize your data?
- Is any of the data surprising?
- Are there any outliers? If so, tell their story. If not, why do you think not?
- Describe the shape of the distribution.
Option 2: Use an infographic to summarize what you found.
- Why is an infographic the best way to summarize your data?
- Is any of the data surprising?
- What story does your infographic tell?
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Now that you have seen some data, is there another, related question you would like to study or some additional data you would like to collect?
Task Statement 2
Teacher Instructions
Give students a source of data and let them explore it for a few minutes and share observations with a partner or their group before they begin working on the task statement. Give students data that is easier to work with to further scaffold this task.
If students are not sure where to begin, it might help them to think about questions that compare two groups. They have been comparing data sets, using measures of center and variability, and this kind of data analysis will be expected of them.
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What are some questions that you can answer with the given data?
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Choose one question to answer. What do you predict the data will tell you?
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Look for data that’s relevant to your question. You might have to adjust or change your question if you can’t find the data you need to answer the original question. When you have an answer, use one of the given options to display the data so that other people can understand what you learned.
Option 1: Create a display that shows the distribution of the data. Include both measures of center and measures of variability.
- Why is the data display you selected the best way to summarize your data?
- Is any of the data surprising?
- Are there any outliers? If so, tell their story. If not, why do you think not?
- Describe the shape of the distribution.
Option 2: Use an infographic to summarize what you found.
- Why is an infographic the best way to summarize your data?
- Is any of the data surprising?
- What story does your infographic tell?
-
Now that you have seen some data, is there another, related question you would like to study or some additional data you would like to collect?