Goal:

Students calculate means, medians and modes for a series of observations and report their conclusions

Grade Level:

4-9

Objectives:

• Construct data table appropriate for organizing selected data
• Collect data in systematic manner
• Use data table to calculate means, medians and modes for the collected data
• Compare and report
  
  
  
  

Subject Area or Standard:

Science and Measurement
Scientific method

Materials Needed:

• Samples of data tables
• Assorted measurement tools
• Hand-held calculators
• Paper and pencil
  
  
  
  

Websites:

http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/censusatschool/resources/2001/worksheets/mmm.pdf

Resources:

Male Female

------ 2 ----- 1
------ 2 ----- 2
------ 2 ----- 4
------ 2 ----- 5
------ 3 ----- 5
------ 3 ----- 6
------ 4 ----- 6
------ 4 ----- 7
------ 4 ----- 7
------ 6 ----- 8

Total 32 ----- 51
Mean 5.818 -- 9.2727
Median 3 ----- 5
Mode 2 ------ 5

Procedures:

1. Students construct data table similar to that in Lesson Plan 7.
2. Go over definitions and formulae for calculating means, medians and modes.
3. Students calculate means, medians and modes for their individual data sets.
4. Students present the three calculations in form of plots, charts or graphs and compare
5. Ask students if the mean will always be larger than the median?

Alternatives:

Have students change their data sets so that the median is larger than the mean.