Virginia SOL 8.PS.3.a

Math8th GradeProbability and Statistics

The Standard

Formulate questions that require the collection or acquisition of data with a focus on scatterplots.

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 scatterplots.

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do

Students pose a question about the relationship between two numerical variables. They identify who or what will be measured and where the matching data pairs will come from.

What Mastery Looks Like

A student writes a clear question naming two numerical variables and a group to study. The student explains where matching data pairs will come from and expects answers to vary.

Common Misconceptions

Students may ask about only one variable, such as average height, or pair a number with a category. They may also use measurements from different groups, creating data pairs that do not match.

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Write one question about students that could be answered with a scatterplot. Name the two measurements and explain how you would collect matching pairs.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

  1. Measure hand span and height for ten classmates, then write a question the paired measurements could answer.

  2. Compare “How tall are eighth graders?” with “How is height related to hand span?” and explain which one fits a scatterplot.

  3. Sort question cards into scatterplot or not, then rewrite three rejected cards so each uses two numerical variables.

  4. Use a local weather table to pose a question linking daily temperature with another numerical measure, such as electricity use.

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