Cogito
Grade 6 Math · Chapter 9 · Lesson 1
What Makes a Question Statistical
A question that expects different answers.
10 problems · about 16 minutes · 6.SP.A.1
What this lesson teaches
The child recognises a statistical question as one that anticipates variability in the data.
- A statistical question expects different answers.
- A question with one answer needs no statistics.
- Summaries exist because the answers vary.
Warm-Up Review
From earlier lessons. Loosen up before the new work.
2 problemsReview — Finding a Missing Edge: Volume 72, length 6, width 3. Height?
Answer 4
Why 4.
Review — Packing with Fraction Cubes: 32 half-unit cubes. Volume in cubic units?
Answer 4
Why 4 cubic units.
Warm Up
Straightforward practice. Get the method working first.
4 problemsIs "How many siblings does each child in the club have?" statistical?
Answer Yes.
Why It anticipates variability.
What makes a question statistical?
Answer You expect the answers to vary.
Why A statistical question anticipates variability.
Is "How tall is the tallest tree in the park?" statistical?
Answer No.
Why One tree, one answer.
Is "How tall are the trees in the park?" statistical?
Answer Yes.
Why Many trees, many answers.
Build It Up
The same ideas with more to keep track of.
2 problemsIs "What time does school start?" statistical?
Answer No.
Why One fixed time.
Is "How long does each student take to get to school?" statistical?
Answer Yes.
Why Answers will vary.
Stretch Yourself
Mixed problems. Work out what kind of question it is before you start.
2 problemsWhich One: Is "How many pets does each student in my class have?" statistical?
Answer Yes. Answers will differ.
Why It anticipates variability.
The Other One: Is "How many days are in July?" statistical?
Answer No. There is one answer.
Why No variability, so no statistics.