Virginia SOL 3.PS.1.a
The Standard
Formulate questions that require the collection or acquisition of data.
Virginia Standards of Learning for Mathematics · The student will apply the data cycle (formulate questions; collect or acquire data; organize and represent data; and analyze data and communicate results) with a focus on pictographs and bar graphs.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students ask clear questions that require collecting data to answer. They decide who or what will provide the data and what information they need.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students write a clear question that cannot be answered without gathering information. They name the group to study and the responses or measurements needed.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may write questions that ask for a known fact, such as how many desks are in the room. They may also ask vague questions without naming the group or information to collect.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Write one question about recess that requires data from classmates, then name the data you would collect.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs a mixed bag of buttons and ask them to write a question that requires sorting and counting the buttons.
Ask students to revise “What is the best lunch?” so the group surveyed and possible responses are clear.
Play Question Sort by placing cards under “needs data” or “does not need data,” then have teams explain each choice.
Have students write a survey question the principal could use to plan new playground equipment.
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Printable 3.PS.1.a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.PS.1.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
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Related Standards
- 8.PS.3.a
Formulate questions that require the collection or acquisition of data with a focus on scatterplots.
- 7.PS.2.a
Formulate questions that require the collection or acquisition of data with a focus on histograms.
- 5.PS.1.a
The 5th Grade version of this standard.
- 4.PS.1.a
The 4th Grade version of this standard.
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