MPDF
MPDF
Pairs of students will survey other students in the school and then graph the results, as well
as come to conclusions based on the information.
Materials Needed
colored pencils, graph paper, ruler, poster board or similar, access to magazines or other
materials for images, access to Excel (optional)
Prepare ahead of time: Find a graph showing results of a survey for the opening to the
lesson.
Body of Lesson
DAY ONE
Modeling
Tell students they will be creating similar surveys and reporting the results and
conclusions.
They will answer the same types of questions based on results of their created surveys.
Review the different types of graphs with students: bar, line, etc. (You may use a
worksheet for student practice before beginning the activity.)
Guided Practice
Pair students. Tell each pair they must create 3 to 5 related questions to ask other
students in the school. Give an example of two questions that may be related: What
time do you go to bed at night? What time do you wake up?
Once the questions are created, the students will use the survey with 25 students.
They will record the results.
The student pairs must create a data-collection page to record the results as well. The
surveys will be conducted and results used the next day.
The teacher should review the survey questions before students are permitted to
approach other students. In addition, if possible try to prevent similar or repeated
patterns of questions.
DAY TWO
Pairs of students meet to organize and discuss the results of the surveys.
They must decide on which type of graph or graphs to use to display the results using
the poster board.
They begin compiling the data, find the mean, range, and other information which will
be helpful for interpreting the information.
The two students will then use the information to write out a short report which will be
orally presented to the class.
Next, create a display board to creatively present the findings, using images, a title,
etc.
Allow the students at least one full class period to complete the project once they
gathered all of their data.
DAY THREE
Each pair of students receives between 3 to 5 minutes to report their findings and
interpretations to the class, drawing conclusions, etc.
The presentations should answer the questions, and more, posed in the opening to the
lesson.
Remind students NOT to simply report the results.
Assess the students based on a rubric prepared ahead of time.
Independent Practice
Teacher-created or commercial handouts for practice with graphing, including
interpreting graphs, the mean, range, etc.
Closing
Ask: What difficulties were there in surveying other students? What were the
variables? What would they have done differently? (Or other questions based on the
experience.)
Using a current list of prices for food and clothing, the students will practice math skills
related to percentages.
Angles in Nature
Students will take a walk outside with their protractor and measure the angles in nature.
They will record the angles that they find in branches, trees, bushes, flowers, etc… and then
determine the supplementary angle.
Students will learn about simple interest and how to calculate the real cost of a loan, credit
card, and other types of borrowing.
Unknown Volumes