Ron Zink
Grade: 6
Subject: Math
Topic: Mean, Median, Mode, & Range
ISTE Standards: II
& III
Materials: one pair of dice per student group, excel spreadsheet on a computer, and handout.
Description: Students will explore the ideas of mean, median, range, and mode. They will work with a data set to find these statistical values. They will follow up by exploring probability.
Lesson:
- Give each student group a pair of dice.
- Discuss number sets.
· Explain that a set is a collection of objects, such as any given group of numbers.
· Give examples to the class.
- Each group should label cell A1 “Set 1”
- Have each student group roll one die nine times, recording the number rolled each time. Enter the numbers in column A, beginning in cell A2.
- Find the sum of set 1 and fill it into cell A11.
- Divide the sum by 9 to fid the mean, or average. Fill the mean into cell B11.
- Find the median and fill it into cell C11.
- Find the range of set 1 by subtracting the smallest number from the largest number. Fill the range into cell D11.
- Find the mode and fill it into cell E11.
- Repeat the process two more times creating “Set 2” and “Set 3.”
- Repeat the process to create “Set 4” using two dice. Roll a set of ten numbers.
- Find the mean, median, range, and mode for Set 4.
- What patterns do you see? What relationship do you notice between the mean and median?
Follow Up:
Exploring probability
- Using two dice, find the probability of rolling doubles.
- Using two dice, find the probability of rolling a 2 followed by a 4.
- Using two dice, find the probability of rolling a 6 followed by a 1.
- Predict the probability of rolling a 3 followed by a 5.
“Mean” Statistical Machine Rubric
Name ____________________________
Was the statistical activity completed?
1 2 3 4 5
Were the sets labeled clearly?
1 2 3 4 5
Were the calculations figured correctly?
1 2 3 4 5
Was there an answer included for step 13?
1 2 3 4 5
Was the Follow-Up activity completed?
1 2 3 4 5
Were the probabilities correctly calculated?
1 2 3 4 5
Was a reasonable prediction made for question 4 of the follow-up activity?
1 2 3 4 5
