Measures of Central Tendency – Lesson Plan Ideas (Gr.5wk1)

Subject: Mathematics

Strand: Statistics and Probability

Grade 5 – Term 3 – Unit 4 – Week 1

Duration: 4 x 60 minutes

Sub-title: Measures of central tendency

Focu Question: How do I find different avarege?

Attainment Target: Distinguish among and apply the appropriate measures of central tendency (mean, median and mode) dispersion (range).

Benchmark: Estimate, calculate and interpret the mean, mode, median and range of a set of discrete data. 

Standard Statistics and Probability:  Collect, organise, interpret and represent data and make inferences by applying knowledge of statistics and probability. 

Please the Content Outline for lesson plans below.

Day One:

Mean, Mode, and Median

Specific Objectives:

1. Students will be able to define mean, mode, and median.
2. Students will be able to investigate what it means to find the mean, mode, and median.
3. Students will be able to create their own data set and find the mean, mode, and median.

Materials: Whiteboard and markers, Chart paper and markers, Calculators, Printed worksheets with practice problems, Small whiteboards and markers for individual work

Teaching and Learning Procedure:

Engage: Introduction:

1. Begin by asking the students if they have ever heard of mean, mode, or median.
2. Define each term and give examples of when each would be useful in real life situations.
3. Ask the students if they have ever used any of these measures of central tendency before.

Explain:

1. Discuss with the students what it means to investigate something, and how we can do this.
2. Demonstrate how to find the mean, mode, and median using a small data set, and write each calculation on the board.

Explore:

1. Have the students work in pairs or small groups to investigate what it means to find the mean, mode, and median. Each group should use a different data set.
2. After 10-15 minutes, come together as a class and discuss what the groups found. Ask each group to present their data set and explain how they found the mean, mode, and median.

Elaborate:

1. Review the concepts by having the students complete a worksheet with practice problems. Encourage them to use calculators to help with the calculations.
2. Finally, have the students create their own data set and find the mean, mode, and median. They can present their findings to the class.

Evaluate:

1. Review the definitions of mean, mode, and median with the class.
2. Ask the students to reflect on what they learned during the lesson and how they might use these measures of central tendency in the future.
3. Summarize the lesson and give any final instructions for homework or further practice.

Assessment:

Assessment can be done through observation during class discussions, as well as by reviewing the completed worksheets and presentations from the students’ own data sets.

Day Two – Four:

Estimating and Calculating the Mean of a Given Set of Data

Specific Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Define what the mean is and why it is important in data analysis
2. Estimate the mean of a set of data using mental math
3. Calculate the mean of a set of data using addition and division
4. Interpret and analyze the meaning of the mean in real-world contexts

Materials: Whiteboard and markers, Sample data sets (e.g. number of pets owned by students in the class, time spent on homework each week), Calculator (optional)

Teaching and Learning Procedure:

Engage:

1. Ask students if they have ever heard the word “mean” before, and what they think it means.
2. Explain that in math and statistics, “mean” is another word for “average”. It is a way of summarizing a set of data by finding the middle or typical value.
3. Write the definition of “mean” on the board: “The mean is the sum of all the values in a set of data, divided by the total number of values.”
4. Ask students why they think it is important to find the mean in data analysis (e.g. to understand patterns, to compare groups, to make predictions).

Explain:

1. Give each student a sample data set, such as the number of pets owned by students in the class.
2. Ask students to estimate the mean of the data set using mental math (e.g. add up the numbers and divide by the number of students).
3. Have students share their estimates and discuss any differences or similarities.
4. Write the actual mean on the board and ask students to reflect on their estimates. Did they overestimate or underestimate? Why?

Explore:

1. Give each student a different sample data set, such as the time spent on homework each week.
2. Have students work independently or in pairs to calculate the mean of their data set using addition and division.
3. After students have finished, ask them to share their answers and how they calculated them.
4. Check students’ answers as a class and discuss any differences or errors.
5. Optionally, use a calculator to check the mean of each data set and compare it to students’ answers.

Elaborate:

1. Provide students with real-world examples of how the mean can be used to interpret and analyze data, such as:
   • Finding the average grade in a class to see how well students are doing
   • Calculating the average temperature over a month to track climate change
   • Estimating the average income of a population to make economic decisions
2. Ask students to reflect on how the mean can be useful in these contexts, and what limitations it might have (e.g. outliers, skewed data).
3. Have students share their thoughts and engage in a class discussion.

Evaluate:

1. Review the definition and importance of the mean in data analysis.
2. Ask students to reflect on what they learned and how they can apply it in their own lives.
3. Encourage students to practice estimating and calculating the mean of different data sets on their own or with friends/family.

Please the Content Outline for lesson plans below.

Lesson Plans for Other Subject Areas:

Mathematics – Gr.4, Mathematics – Gr.5, Mathematics – Gr.6

Science – Gr.4, Social Studies – Gr.4