Maryland Math 5.DS.A.1.b
The Standard
- 5.DS.A.1
- Ask and answer questions by collecting, organizing and summarizing data, recognizing the importance of context when analyzing data.
Summarize data presented in scaled visualizations (e.g. bar graphs, circle graphs, line plots, line graphs) by identifying the mode, the range, and any gaps in data and draw conclusions.
Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics (2025) · REPRESENT AND INTERPRET DATA.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students read the labels, scale, and marks on a graph. They find the most common value or category, calculate the range, and spot gaps between data values. They use those facts to draw a conclusion.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students read a scale accurately and name the mode. They subtract the smallest data value from the largest to find the range, rather than using the ends of the axis. They identify gaps and support a conclusion with numbers from the graph.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may name the height of the tallest bar as the mode instead of its category. They may use the ends of the axis to calculate the range or count tick marks without reading the scale. They may call empty space outside the data values a gap.
How to Assess It
- Show a line plot of 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 7, 7, 8, 9 on a 0 to 10 scale. Ask: “What are the mode, range, and gaps between data values? What do you notice about most of the values?”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Use sticky dots to plot 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 7, 7, 8, 9 above a numbered ruler.
Ask: “Does the gap at 5 and 6 mean those values are impossible? Explain using the line plot.”
Hand pairs three numbered line plots; time them finding each mode, range, gap, and one claim supported by the counts.
Graph cafeteria orders, 20 pizzas, 15 tacos, and 5 salads, on a scale counting by fives; ask which meal sold most.
Free download
Printable 5.DS.A.1.b Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 5.DS.A.1.b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- 4.DS.A.1.b
Summarize data presented in scaled data visualizations (e.g. bar graphs, line plots) and draw conclusions about the data.
- 3.DS.A.1.b
Summarize data presented in scaled data visualizations (e.g., picture graph, bar graph for categorial data; line plot for numerical data) by describing the stor...
- 5.DS.A.1.a
Create scaled data visualization (e.g. bar graphs for categorical data; line plots with fraction units of halves, fourths, and eighths for numerical data) to di...
- 4.DS.A.1.a
Create scaled data visualization (e.g. bar graphs for categorical data; line plots with fraction units of halves, fourths, and eighths for numerical data) to di...
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson