NY Next Generation Math AII-S.ID.4.a

MathGrades 9–12Summarize, represent, and interpret data on a single count or measurement variable.

The Standard

Recognize whether or not a normal curve is appropriate for a given data set.

New York State Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students decide whether a normal curve is a reasonable model for a data set. They inspect shape, symmetry, outliers, and the relationship among center and spread measures.
What Mastery Looks Like: The student identifies an approximately unimodal, symmetric distribution as a reasonable candidate and rejects a strongly skewed or multimodal set. The decision cites visible or numerical evidence.
Common Misconceptions: Students may assume any bell-like sketch is normal or require perfect symmetry. They may ignore outliers, gaps, or multiple peaks.
How to Assess It: Show two histograms with summary statistics. Ask which can reasonably use a normal curve and require two pieces of evidence.

Lesson moves

Overlay transparent normal curves on histogram cards and note where the fit succeeds or fails.
Ask how skew, outliers, or two peaks weaken a normal model.
Play normal-model sort with histograms, dot plots, and brief written justifications.
Judge whether manufacturing measurements or commute times are suitable for normal modeling.

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