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| Video 2: Line Plots, Bar Graphs, Histograms and
Circle Graphs |
| Line Plots |
Overview
A line plot is a way to organize data on a horizontal number
line to show frequency. In this activity, students collect data
to create a line plot representing the number of keys carried
on keychains.
Objective
Students will be able to gather and organize data and then construct
a line plot.
Standards Addressed
Mathematics — Data Analysis
Grade 5
Data Collection, Benchmark E
02. Select and use a graph that is appropriate for the type
of data to be displayed.
04. Determine appropriate data to be collected to answer
questions posed by students or teacher, collect and display
data, and clearly communicate findings.
Statistical Methods, Benchmark F
06. Determine and use range, mean, median and mode, and explain
what each does and does not indicate about the set of data.
Grade 6
Statistical Methods, Benchmark B
05. Describe the frequency distribution of a set of data,
as shown in a histogram or frequency table, by general appearance
of shape: e.g. number of modes, middle of data, level of symmetry,
outliers.
Data Collection, Benchmark E
02. Select, create and use graphical representations that
are appropriate for the type of data collected.
Statistical Methods, Benchmark F
04. Understand the different information provided by measures
of center (mean, mode and media) and measures of spread (range).
Statistical Methods, Benchmark G
06. Make logical inferences from statistical data.
Procedure
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Have the students complete the How
Many Keys? handout as homework.
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Instruct them to construct a line plot showing key survey data
on the horizontal axis. Display a segment of line, starting
with the lowest or minimum value and ending with the highest
or maximum value. They may want to go one below the minimum
and one above the maximum on their number line.
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For each person surveyed, students should place an “x”
above the corresponding key value on the horizontal axis.
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Have them continue until there is an x for each value in the
data collected.
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When the line plot is complete, the number of x’s above
each value indicates the frequency that this key count appears
in the data.
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Students should then add a title to the graph.
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Encourage the class to find and discuss patterns in the data.
Students can find variability, clusters,
gaps and outliers on their
line plots, and can compare their plots with those around them.
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Ask the students to find the mean, median, mode and range of
the data.
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Class discussion should include students’ summaries of
their findings. They can refer to the mean, median, mode and
range of the data to support their findings. Questions might
include the following:
Who had the highest mean? Median? The lowest?
Did anyone not have a mode? More than one mode?
What was the largest range? The smallest?
Did anyone have big gaps in their data? Large clusters of
data?
(This could also be done with students working in groups instead
of as a whole class.)
Evaluation
Evaluate line plots using criteria checklist
______ |
Title |
______ |
Correct spelling |
______ |
Neatness (used a ruler) |
______ |
Accurate data placement |
______ |
Correct calculation of mean, median, mode and range |
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