Beacon Lesson Plan Library
Central Tendency
Carson Ealy, Jr.
Gadsden County Schools
Description
This lesson provides students with activities to assist them in determining the mean, mode, and median of given data.
Standards
Florida Sunshine State Standards
MA.E.1.3.2.8.1
The student finds the mean, median, and mode of a set of data using raw data, tables, charts, or graphs.
Florida Process Standards
Information Managers
01 Florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment.
Numeric Problem Solvers
03 Florida students use numeric operations and concepts to describe, analyze, communicate, synthesize numeric data, and to identify and solve problems.
Critical and Creative Thinkers
04 Florida students use creative thinking skills to generate new ideas, make the best decision, recognize and solve problems through reasoning, interpret symbolic data, and develop efficient techniques for lifelong learning.
Materials
-Activity sheets (See Attached File)
-Pencils
Preparations
1. Write the definition of the terms on the board or overhead projector.
2. Copy the activity sheet for each student. (See attached file)
3. Run copies of the assessment
4. Sharpen pencils (1 per student)
Procedures
Teacher-directed study:
1. Introduce the key vocabulary and meanings of mean, mode, median on the board/overhead. Ask students to simplify the meanings of mean, mode, and median. (Desired response: Mean-average, Mode-most frequent number, median- middle number)
2. Have students respond to: How would one go about determining the mean of these numbers? 8, 19, 3, 10, 45 , 22? The desired response is: Add each of the numbers (a sum of 102). Then count the numbers added (6). Finally, divide 102 by 6 which equals 17. The mean or average is 17.
3. Continue with this practice. Write on the board/transparency these numbers: 6, 7, 2, 61, 11, 23, 30. Ask students to determine the MEAN. The teacher circulates, checking and assisting students. Repeat this procedure for mode and median. Suggested practice problem for mode: 37, 35, 34, 24, 27, 35 (the most frequent number is 35) Students find the median (number in middle) of: 100 ,90 ,85, 80, 75, 65 (the median is 80).
4. Distribute student assessment sheets (see attached file) and pencils.
5. Allow time for students to complete the assessment.
6. Collect assessment sheets.
Assessments
In this formative assessment students solve 10 problems involving mean, mode, and median. Students should work their problems on the paper so that critical/creative thinking processes may also be assessed.
Extensions
1.Have students make a display scrapbook or poster demonstrating their knowledge of mean, mode, and median.
2.Challenge students to draw a term from a bag and demonstrate the meaning of the selected word.
3. Play the Mean, Mode, Median Bingo Game
|