Grade 6 Mathematics · Unit 2: Understanding the World Around Us Through StatisticsStandard 6.DS.1

Lesson 2.12.1 Small Group · Group 2

Start hereWords, worked example, and sentence starters

Name Date Period

Learning target I can tell the difference between a statistical question and a non-statistical question, explain how I can tell, and judge a case I have not seen before.

Why This Matters This is your challenge small group for Lesson 2.1. You can already get the answer — so in here the answer is the starting point. We ask when the method holds, when it breaks, and how you would convince someone who disagrees.

Start hereWords for this lesson

Read each word before you begin. Say it out loud.

WordWhat it meansExample
Statistical QuestionSpanish: Pregunta estadística A question where the answers will be different for different people. How tall is each student?
Non-statistical QuestionSpanish: Pregunta no estadística A question that does not anticipate variability in the data used to answer it. It may ask for one fact or measurement. How tall is the flagpole?
DataSpanish: Datos Facts and numbers you collect, like answers to a survey. 0, 2, 5, 1 pets
VariabilitySpanish: Variabilidad How spread out the numbers are. 0, 2, 5 pets — answers vary
SurveySpanish: Encuesta Collecting facts by asking people questions. Asking classmates one question
Data distributionSpanish: Distribución de datos How the data looks: where it sits and how spread out it is. A distribution is symmetric when its left and right sides have approximately matching shapes around the center.

How it worksWorked example

These numbers are not on your problems. The steps are. Follow them with your own numbers.

Which is statistical: “How many siblings does each student have?” or “How many sides does a triangle have?”

  1. Sibling counts differ: 0, 1, 3.
  2. A triangle always has 3 sides.

Answer: The sibling question is statistical; the triangle question is not.

Now you trySame steps, your turn

The steps are the same as the worked example. The numbers are yours. Do the work.

Decide if each question is statistical. A: "How many pets does each student in our class have?" B: "How many days are in one week?"

Answer:

Say it and write itSentence starters

Finish each sentence out loud with a partner. Then use them in your writing.

  • This question statistical because .
  • I expect the answers to from person to person.
  • A non-statistical question has answer.
  • The data I would collect might look like .

Word bank statisticalnon-statisticalvariabilitydatasurveyvaryanswerscollectfixeddifferentquestiontypical

Watch out!A common mistake

A common mistake in Statistical Questions and Data is judging a question by its topic or its numbers instead of its variability. Students see a question about ONE player, ONE game, or ONE fixed fact

Grade 6 Mathematics · Unit 2: Understanding the World Around Us Through StatisticsStandard 6.DS.1

Lesson 2.12.1 Small Group · Group 2

Group 2Challenge practice

Mastery check☐ Exceeds☐ Meets target☐ Needs practice
Name Date Period

Learning target I can tell the difference between a statistical question and a non-statistical question, explain how I can tell, and judge a case I have not seen before.

Why This Matters This is your challenge small group for Lesson 2.1. You can already get the answer — so in here the answer is the starting point. We ask when the method holds, when it breaks, and how you would convince someone who disagrees.

  1. 1Complete each step, then write the final answer.
    67891011Hours of sleep
    One student, seven nights, answers that vary.

    Is this a statistical question? "How many hours do I sleep each night this week?" On 7 nights, the hours were 8, 9, 7, 8, 10, 9 and 8.

    1. 1Who is the question about?
    2. 2How many answers do you collect?
    3. 3The answers vary. Is it a statistical question? Type yes or no.
    Final answer:
  2. 2Complete each step, then write the final answer.

    "How many goals did Sam score in today's game?" is not statistical. Change it into a statistical question.

    1. 1Which words make one fixed answer?
    2. 2Change them to ask about many games.
    3. 3Do the answers to the new question vary? Type yes or no.
    4. 4Why do you need data for the new question, but not for the old one?
    Final answer:
  3. 3Complete each step, then write the final answer.

    Is this a statistical question? "How many minutes does Lena take to get dressed each morning?" Type yes or no.

    Show your work
    Final answer:
  4. 4Complete each step, then write the final answer.

    Which question is NOT statistical? A: "How many pages does each book on this shelf have?" B: "How many pages does this book have?" Type A or B.

    Show your work
    Final answer:
  5. 5Complete each step, then write the final answer.
    33.13.23.33.43.53.63.73.8Jump distance (meters)

    A coach asks, "How far does Jada jump on each try?" Her 6 tries are 3.2, 3.5, 3.1, 3.6, 3.4 and 3.5 meters. Is this a statistical question? Type yes or no.

    Show your work
    Final answer:
  6. 6Complete each step, then write the final answer.

    Raj says "How many students are in our class?" is statistical because it is about many students. Is Raj right? Type yes or no.

    Show your work
    Final answer:

Explain your thinkingCan a question about only one person be statistical? Use Lena's or Jada's question to defend your answer.

ChallengeWrite your own problem

Write a new word problem that uses this lesson's idea. Then solve it and show every step.

3-Point Exit Checklist: ☐ 1. Units & Labels Verified ☐ 2. Mathematical Reasoning Stated ☐ 3. Calculations Double-Checked
How did it go? ☐ 4 · I can teach it☐ 3 · I've got it☐ 2 · I need a hint☐ 1 · I need help