Description

Data, Detectives and Decisions involves students in mathematical problem-solving processes. Faced with the dilemma, “How much time should the average fifth-grade student spend on homework to make good grades?” students begin generating, collecting, organizing, and displaying data to show representative samples of male/female students, and teachers on the subject. Students determine the range and measures of central tendency (mean, median, and mode) from sets of data, and use these measures to identify patterns and relationships in the data. During the process, students face and answer questions such as, “Which types of graphs are appropriate for the different kinds of data?” and “How are the different statistical measures (range and measures of central tendency) used to interpret the data?” Students use the skills and processes learned during class in a simulated statistical journey called Collecting Clues and Analyzing Answers. Students' reflections are recorded in a Detective Diary. (An optional oral presentation is included with this unit with coordinating Language Arts extensions.)

Duration

The planned duration of this activity is 12 days.

Lesson Plans

Opening the Case
This is an introduction to the unit Data, Detectives and Decisions. Students are taught how to design an experiment and use graphs and statistics to help solve a problem.

Observing the Evidence
Students discuss ways to choose a representative sample of a large group in order to answer a class question and learn how to collect the data.

Looking for More Clues
Students review how to display collected data on bar and circle graphs.

Using Statistics to Uncover More Evidence
Students use statistics to interpret data collected from a representative sample.

Closing the Case
Students review the steps for data collection and how to prepare data displays using statistical information from a survey.