One purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the Information Gap routine. In addition to the routine, students work to deepen their understanding of standard deviation by interpreting it in various contexts. If time allows, the optional activity provides additional practice with interpreting dot plots.

Interpreting standard deviation in context is evidence that students are reasoning abstractly and quantitatively (MP2). The Information Gap activity may take students several rounds before students understand how to ask questions to gain the information they need to solve the problem (MP1). The information gap structure also allows them to refine the language that they use and to ask increasingly more precise questions until they get the information they need (MP6).

Math Community

In today’s activities, students are introduced to the idea of math norms as expectations that help everyone in the room feel safe, comfortable, and productive doing math together. Students then consider what norms would connect and support the math actions the class recorded so far in the Math Community Chart.