This is the fourth in a series of statistical articles for mathematics teachers. In this article, the authors discuss topics in General Mathematics in Unit 2 Topic 1 (Univariate data analysis and the statistical investigation process) and topics in Essential Mathematics, Unit 2 Topic 1 (Representing and comparing data).

Since data collection technologies has become a part of daily life, measurement and data requirements now permeate many state mathematics standards, beginning as early as kindergarten and extending through high school. For example, the Standards for Mathematical Content, recommend that kindergarteners "describe and compare measurable…

Eliciting, responding to, and advancing students' mathematical thinking all lie at the heart of great teaching. In this article, the authors describe a formative assessment approach that teachers can use to learn more about their students' mathematical thinking and inform their instructional decisions. This assessment approach draws on a widely…

Every day, students collect, organize, and analyze data to make decisions. In this data-driven world, people need to assess how much trust they can place in summary statistics. The results of every survey and the safety of every drug that undergoes a clinical trial depend on the correct application of appropriate statistics. Recognizing the…

What better way to interest students in mathematics than using a Super Bowl® commercial? A Prudential® insurance commercial aired during the Super Bowl in 2013 was the impetus for this lesson (see it here on You-Tube™: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IsNiKGMSHUQ). In the commercial, four hundred people were polled on "How Old Is the Oldest…

Describes an activity that engages pupils in the whole statistical process from collecting data to interpreting the results. Discusses the importance of these activities in developing knowledge, skills, understanding, and ability in problem solving. (Author/ASK)

Statistical literacy is defined as "the ability to read and interpret data: the ability to use statistics as evidence in arguments. Statistical literacy is a competency: the ability to think critically about statistics" (Schield, p. 2). When a definition of statistical literacy is considered it can be seen that all students can manage a…

Presents activities having to do with data generation, organization, interpretation, representation, drawing conclusions, and making predictions on the basis of data which students have collected. (ASK)

Presents activities using the theme of collecting and interpreting data from the students' own classroom. Stresses communication among students and between students and the teacher. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Presents a lesson plan detailing an interdisciplinary mathematics/science activity in which students take a home survey of light bulbs and then design an energy-saving lighting system for a home. Contains reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

In a collaborative project, two mathematics education professors, a third-grade teacher, and her students collected information from the students as they thought through how to ask, collect, and then answer their own data-driven questions. Findings indicated the students exhibited a growing understanding, sophistication, and comfort with the use…

Evaluators usually assume that the data they receive are valid, or at least, that the data reflect that which is being evaluated. In a recent evaluation in a large southern school district, evaluators compared their raw interview notes with interview notes edited by the teachers interviewed or project staff. The program evaluated was Project SEED,…

Presents four sets of activities to develop the concepts of data analysis and graphing. Students estimate sample populations using beans, examine graphs from newspapers and magazines, predict the most popular color of cars, and simulate quality control in a manufacturing process. (MDH)

This report summarizes results from research aimed at improving the quality of information collected about school curriculum. The research sought to design and pilot a model for collecting benchmark data on school coursework. These more indepth data, such as course textbooks, assignments, exams, and teacher logs, can serve as anchors against which…

Presents a series of activities using data collection and interpretation techniques designed for levels 1-8, 1-5, 3-6, and 4-8 that integrate mathematics and social studies through the common theme of television viewing. Includes an activity sheet for parents to use with their children, three class-activity sheets, and a data sheet. (MDH)