What Is an Average?

This full lesson plan, plus dataset and worksheet, from CensusAtSchool is designed to help students understand the different types of average, how to calculate and compare them and which average it is appropriate to use for a particular data set.

URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx5jk

HEALTH and SAFETY
Any use of a resource that includes a practical activity must include a risk assessment. Please note that collections may contain ARCHIVE resources, which were developed at a much earlier date. Since that time there have been significant changes in the rules and guidance affecting laboratory practical work. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.

Files

Review

Excellent Lesson

Posted by paul_brassington on 22nd April 2012

Activity time: Full Lesson

Level / prior knowledge:…

Activity time: Full Lesson

Level / prior knowledge: KS4 Higher/Data/Averages

Subject / curriculum links / skills: Data Analysis

Preparation time: Print out the worksheets

Extra resources: None

Commentary: This was an excellent lesson with my year 9s. All the class took their shoes off and the arrangement into height order required splitting them into 4 teams. The measurements were done by the pupils and I recognised just how important their height is to them.

After consolidating the data into the spreadsheet I displayed this on the whiteboard so pupils could complete the worksheet.

This involved finding the median pupil. There was small prize for this student and some debate occurred and I realised that every pupil now knew what the median was.

The mode was achieved by me splitting heights into bands so each pupil fitted into a band. The pupils decided the width of each class interval and hence also understood the importance of equal intervals.

The range was fun as the tallest and shortest were put together so all had a memory of the range, I’m sure they will never forget this.

The mean was achieved by splitting the pupils into two groups one of which was shorter than the class mean and the other comprised all who were taller than the median. No pupil could be the exact mean and this was explained to them.

The lesson was a great success and worthy of an observed lesson with all pupils gaining a good understanding and memory of the mean, median, mode and range. I’m confident the groupings of pupils will stay in their minds after this lesson.