Day 142 Dot Plots

6th Grade Math Standards: 6.SP.4 Display numerical data in plots on a number line, including dot plots, histograms, and box plots.
MA.4.a.Read and interpret circle graphs.

6.SP.5 Summarize numerical data sets in relation to their context, such as by:
a. Reporting the number of observations.
b. Describing the nature of the attribute under investigation, including how it was measured and its units of measurement.
c. Giving quantitative measures of center (median and/or mean) and variability (interquartile range and/or mean absolute deviation), as well as describing any overall pattern and any striking deviations from the overall pattern with reference to the context in which the data were gathered.
d. Relating the choice of measures of center and variability to the shape of the data distribution and the context in which the data were gathered.

The Learning Objectives: Make three observations from a dot plot

Quote of the Day: “More people die Monday morning at 9 A.M. than any other time. Monday at 9 A.M. is when people start their work week. Think about that - people would rather die than go to work. It sounds funny but actually it’s quite sad. People feel like they don’t have a choice. So they give up. But I am here to tell you today that you have a choice. You don’t have to sit passively by like so many other unhappy souls who let life create them. You can take the wheel and choose to create your life, one thought, one belief, one action, one choice at a time. It’s your bus and you’re the driver and you choose where you are going and the kind of ride it’s going to be.” - Jon Gordon

Agenda:

1. Self-Assessment 
2. Review the test on statistics (central tendency and variation)
3. Review fractions to decimals since that is the topic on this week's weekly quiz
4. Start the weekly quiz
5. Create a frequency table
6. Create a line plot based on the frequency table
7. Make various observations (mean, range, etc.) about a line plot
8. Guided practice from the text book about dot plots
9. Exit ticket
10. Independent homework practice

The Assessment: The guided practice was utilized as a ticket to leave as well as the actual exit ticket. I had students do the guided practice knowing that I had to come around and check.

Glass Half-Full Take: I felt very fresh coming off of vacation. I had read a couple books that helped with my attitude and gave me a more positive outlook in how I relate and deal with the students. Every little issue that typically rattles me I dealt with one at a time and had no issues. I even made a point of complimenting the student that I just criticized.

One Regret: Students were given the opportunity to start the weekly quiz in all classes and I had originally ignored this in the agenda. This week's weekly quiz deals with decimals, fractions, and percents. I liked reviewing the topic in one class because it's apparent this is still a gap in student learning.

Speaking of gaps, that word was given as part of the dot plot vocabulary. Gaps, peaks, and clusters were all mentioned today. I don't regret that part, but it will not be for the best if this is not covered again tomorrow and the next day to reiterate the meaning and value of these terms.

Link of the Day: This is a list of books to read for math teachers. I got my two cents in there.