Use the mean and standard deviation of a data set to fit it to a normal distribution and to estimate population percentages. Recognize that there are data sets for which such a procedure is not appropriate.
: Instruction includes the connection to the binomial distribution and surveys.
| Name |
Description |
| Show Me the Money! Selecting Student Athletes for Scholarships | In this Model Eliciting Activity, MEA, students will use data to decide the ideal candidate for a college scholarship by computing the mean and the standard deviation. The student will present the data using the normal distribution and make recommendations based on the findings. Students will recognize that not all data can be presented in this format.
Model-Eliciting-Activities, MEAs, allow students to critically analyze data sets, compare information, and require students to explain their thinking and reasoning. While there is no one correct answer in an MEA, students should work to explain their thinking clearly and rationally. Therefore, teachers should ask probing questions and provide feedback to help students develop a coherent, data-as-evidence-based approach within this learning experience. |
| Texting and Standard Deviation | This lesson uses texting to teach statistics. In the lesson, students will calculate the mean, median, and standard deviation. They will create a normal distribution using the mean and standard deviation and estimate population percentages. They will construct and interpret dot plots based on the data they collected. Students will also use similarities and differences in shape, center, and spread to determine who is better at texting, boys, or girls. |
| Close to the Crossbar with Standard Deviation | The lesson will connect student's prior knowledge of measures of central tendency to standard deviation and variance. Students will learn how to calculate and analyze variance and standard deviation. With a partner, students will collect data from kicking a ball into a goal mark. Students will collect data and find the mean, then calculate standard deviation and variance, and compare the data between boys and girls. They will analyze the data distribution in terms of how many students are within certain numbers of standard deviations from the mean. |
| College Freshman Entrance Data | An introduction to classifying data as normally distributed, skewed left, or skewed right, Technology is used to calculate the mean, median, and standard deviation. Data listing ranking, acceptance rates, average GPA, SAT and ACT scores, and tuition rates from 36 Universities are used. |
| Plane Statistics | This lesson starts with an activity to gather data using paper airplanes then progresses to using appropriate statistics to compare the center and spread of the data. Box plots are used in this application lesson of concepts and skills previously acquired. |
| Standard Deviation and the Normal Curve in Kahoot! | In this three-day lesson, students learn about standard deviation, the normal curve, and how they are applied. Your students will be engaged and learning when they collect and analyze data using a free Kahoot! quiz. |
| Picturing the Normal World | This is an introductory lesson on normally distributed data. Students will calculate the standard deviation and use the Empirical Rule. |
| In terms of soccer: Nike or Adidas? | In this lesson, students calculate and interpret the standard deviation for two data sets. They will measure the air pressure for two types of soccer balls. This lesson can be used as a hands-on activity or completed without measuring using sample data. |
| How do we measure success? | Students will use the normal distribution to estimate population percentages and calculate the values that fall within one, two, and three standard deviations of the mean. Students use statistics and a normal distribution to determine how well a participant performed in a math competition. |
| If The Shoe Fits – A "Normal" Cinderella Story | Using a normal distribution manipulative and a calculator, students will explore the normal distribution curve to determine the area between each standard deviation from the mean using the empirical rule. Students will use the mean and standard deviation to predict outcomes in real-world situations and finally answer the age old question: What size was Cinderella's glass slipper? |
| The Cereal Prize Estimation | How many boxes of cereal would you have to purchase to win all six prizes?
This lesson uses class data collected through simulations to allow students to answer this question. Students simulate purchasing cereal boxes and create a t-confidence interval with their data to determine how many boxes they can expect to buy. |
| Sweet Statistics - A Candy Journey | Students will sort pieces of candy by color and then calculate statistical information such as mean, median, mode, interquartile range, and standard deviation. They will also create an Excel spreadsheet with the candy data to generate pie charts and column charts. Finally, they will compare experimental data to theoretical data and explain the differences between the two. This is intended to be an exercise for an Algebra 1 class. Students will need at least 2 class periods to sort their candy, make the statistical calculations, and create the charts in Excel. |
| The Debate: Who is a Better Baller? | In this activity the students will use NBA statistics on Lebron James and Tim Duncan who were key players in the 2014 NBA Finals, to calculate, compare, and discuss mean, median, interquartile range, variance, and standard deviation. They will also construct and discuss box plots. |
| Analyzing Data with Bell Curves and Measures of Center | In this lesson, students learn about data sets and will be able to tell if a bell curve represents a normal distribution and explain why a distribution might be skewed. Students will form their own bell curve calculate measures of center and variability based on their data and discuss their findings with the class. |
