CCSS 6.SP.A & B

Data Lab · Build the Plot, Read the Measures

What to do: Build dot plots with the + and − buttons. Then read the data and type each answer. Press Check My Work at the bottom to see your score.

Learning Targets

Standards: 6.SP.A.1, 6.SP.A.2, 6.SP.A.3, 6.SP.B.4, 6.SP.B.5 Time: ~40–50 min Materials: This activity, pencil, optional calculator
Teacher Notes (collapse for students)

Pacing

Allow 5 minutes for the "What to do" orientation and vocabulary review. Tasks 1–2 take about 10 minutes together; Tasks 3–5 (mean/median/mode/range) take 15–20 minutes; Task 6 (build to a target median) is the challenge closer and may need 10 minutes. Reserve 5 minutes for the reflection.

Grouping

Tasks 1 and 6 (dot-plot building) work well in pairs so students discuss their dot-placement decisions aloud. Tasks 3–5 (calculations) are best done individually first, then compared with a partner.

Differentiation — Support

  • For mean: provide the addition step already computed (e.g., "The sum is 24.") so students focus on the division step.
  • For median: print or display the data set on number cards so students can physically sort and find the middle.
  • For Task 6: suggest starting with one dot on 3 (the target median) and then adding two dots on each side.

Differentiation — Challenge

  • Ask students to find a second arrangement in Task 6 with a different spread but the same median of 3.
  • Ask: "Can a data set have more than one mode? Give an example."
  • Extension: compare the mean and median of the Task 3 data set — why are they the same here?

ESOL / Language Supports

  • Preview the terms mean, median, mode, range with visual anchor charts (e.g., "mode = most often").
  • Use sentence frames: "The mean is __ because I added __ and divided by __."
  • The dot-plot builder is visual and language-light — use it as an entry point for emerging English speakers.

0 of 6 answered

1. Build the Dot Plot

BUILD Pet survey. Make this many dots: 2 at 1, 3 at 2, 1 at 4. Use + and −.

You built: —

Goal: 2 dots over 1, 3 dots over 2, 1 dot over 4.

2. Read the Data Set

COUNT A statistical question gives many answers. Here is the data:

3 5 5 7 10

3. Find the Mean (Average)

MEAN Add all the values, then divide by how many there are.

4 6 6 8

4. Find the Median (Middle)

MEDIAN The numbers are in order. The median is the middle value.

2 5 8 9 11

5. Mode and Range

SPREAD The mode is the value that shows up most. The range is biggest − smallest.

3 3 3 6 9

6. Build to Match the Median

BUILD Build a dot plot of 5 dots so the median is 3. (Place dots over 1–5. Tip: put one dot on 3.)

Total dots: 0 · Median: —

You need exactly 5 dots and a median of 3.

Scoring Rubric

Score (out of 8) Level Description
7–8 Exceeding Accurately builds dot plots, identifies statistical questions, and calculates mean, median, mode, and range with no errors. Can construct a data set to match a given median.
5–6 Meeting Correctly completes most tasks; may have one arithmetic error in mean or one error distinguishing median from mode. Understands statistical vs. non-statistical questions.
3–4 Approaching Demonstrates partial understanding; confuses mean and median, or mode and range. Can build a dot plot but struggles to match a target median. Needs guided practice with the algorithm.
0–2 Beginning Has difficulty reading or building a dot plot and identifying measures of center/spread. Requires direct instruction with small, concrete data sets before attempting this activity.
Answer Key (Teacher Use Only)
  1. Task 1 — Build the dot plot: Exactly 2 dots over 1, 3 dots over 2, 0 dots over 3, 1 dot over 4, 0 dots over 5. Total: 6 data points.
  2. Task 2a — Number of data values: 5. Count: 3, 5, 5, 7, 10 = five values.
  3. Task 2b — Statistical question: B ("How tall is each student in my class?"). It anticipates variability; option A has one fixed answer.
  4. Task 3 — Mean of 4, 6, 6, 8: (4 + 6 + 6 + 8) ÷ 4 = 24 ÷ 4 = 6.
  5. Task 4 — Median of 2, 5, 8, 9, 11: 5 values, middle is the 3rd = 8.
  6. Task 5a — Mode of 3, 3, 3, 6, 9: 3 (appears 3 times, more than any other).
  7. Task 5b — Range of 3, 3, 3, 6, 9: 9 − 3 = 6.
  8. Task 6 — Build 5 dots, median = 3: Any arrangement with exactly 5 dots where the 3rd value in sorted order equals 3. Example valid sets: {1,2,3,4,5}, {2,3,3,4,5}, {1,3,3,3,4}, etc. The dot plot must have the 3rd dot (from smallest) over 3.

Reflection

Deliverable: Complete all 6 tasks and the reflection below. Press Check My Work to save your score. Your teacher will collect your score and this reflection.