CCSS.Math.Content.6.SP.B.5b
The standard
Describing the nature of the attribute under investigation, including how it was measured and its units of measurement.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
What this standard means
Students need to name what data was collected, explain what it measures, and include the unit. They should be clear about the attribute, such as height, time, number of siblings, or mass, instead of just saying “the data.”
Mastery looks like a student saying, “We measured the time, in seconds, it took each person to run 20 meters.” Common problems include leaving out units, mixing up the object and the measurement, or describing the graph shape without first explaining what the data represents.
Ways to teach it
- Hands-on activity: Have students measure pencil lengths in centimeters, then write one clear sentence describing the attribute and unit collected.
- Discussion prompt: Ask, “What exactly was measured, and what unit proves it?” after showing a dot plot or table.
- Quick assessment: Show three survey questions and have students underline the attribute and circle the unit for each one.
- Real-world connection: Use a weather app screenshot and have students identify the attribute, temperature, and the unit, degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius.
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Related standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.2.MD.A.2
Measure the length of an object twice, using length units of different lengths for the two measurements; describe how the two measurements relate to the size of...
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- CCSS.Math.Content.K.MD.A
Describe and compare measurable attributes.
- CCSS.Math.Content.K.MD.A.2
Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common, to see which object has "more of"/"less of" the attribute, and describe the difference.