Beacon Lesson Plan Library
Let's Graph It!
Dirk Naegele
Bay District Schools
Description
Students calculate the conversion factor between cm and inches by graphing the height of each student in cm and inches and finding the slope of the line.
Standards
Florida Sunshine State Standards
MA.E.1.4.1
Interprets data that has been collected, organized, and displayed in charts, tables, plots.
MA.E.1.4.2
Calculates measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode)and dispersion (range, standard deviation, and varience) for complex sets of data and determines the most meaningful measure to describe the data.
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.
Materials
-Height Comparison worksheet (see attatched file)
-1 Meter stick and 1 yard stick for each group
-Overhead projector and transparency
-Thin lined graph paper
-Graphing calculator (optional)
Preparations
1. Prepare lab sheet for each student. (see attached file)
2. Prepare overhead transparency ready for the students to record results. (see attached file)
3. Attach meter stick and yard stick to wall.
3. Obtain a graphing calculator for each student (optional)
Procedures
This Lab activity is beneficial after a discussion of standard units and conversion factors.
1. Have each student measure their height in centimeters and inches and record the results on an overhead transparency. (See attached file.)
2. Using the class data, each student constructs a graph comparing the height of each student in inches to cm.
3. Discuss what type of relationship this represents. (linear relationship)
4. Have students plot a best fit line on the graph and calculate the slope.
5. Discuss the meaning of the slope with the class using the formula y = mx + b. The slope becomes the conversion factor between inches and cm. The slope of their line can be compared to the conversion factor between cm and inches found in the textbook. ( 1 cm = 0.3937 inches , or 1 inches = 2.540 cm)
6. If graphing calculators are available, the data can be plotted on the calculator and a regression line can be calculated.
Assessments
Use the rubric located in the Attached Files to assess student performance. (see attached file)
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