Ice Hands: Modeling a human histogram and box & whisker plot

Standard: High School: Statistics & Probability » Interpreting Categorical & Quantitative Data »                          Summarize, represent, and interpret data on a single count or measurement variable»                          Represent data with plots on the real number line (dot plots, histograms, and box plots).

In this post, teachers will learn how to incorporate the Venier Easy Temp Sensor into a statistics lesson. The lesson will be about histograms and box & whisker plots. Data for the histograms will be provided by the temperature sensor which uses Easy data on a TI 84/83 graphing calculator. The data will be collected on the calculator. The data will be shown through a projector in class, so that students are able to copy the data on to their worksheets.

Teacher will set note cards across the room with different temperatures in the class. Students will form a line from coldest to warmest hand temperature. Students will then make a human histogram. Teacher and students will discuss how a histogram’s data can be manipulated. This will give students a chance to figure out how histograms and bar graphs can be distributed. This will potentially will reduce the questions that students make when making a histogram (distribution): “Can I go up by two’s? Three’s? Five’s…etc.”

Teacher will then introduce the idea of a box & whisker plot. Then students with the assistance of the teacher will make a human Box & Whisker Plot and symbolizing with a rope. The Rope will be segmented according to the minimum value, lower quartile, median, upper quartile and maximum value. Teacher and students will explore the characteristics of a box whisker plot and histograms to ensure understanding of the upcoming lessons.

 

Teacher Notes on Worksheet

Student Worksheet

Vernier Easy Temp Sensor

Temperature Facts

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