Virginia SOL 8.PS.3.a
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
Measure hand span and height for ten classmates, then write a question the paired measurements could answer.
Compare “How tall are eighth graders?” with “How is height related to hand span?” and explain which one fits a scatterplot.
Sort question cards into scatterplot or not, then rewrite three rejected cards so each uses two numerical variables.
Use a local weather table to pose a question linking daily temperature with another numerical measure, such as electricity use.
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Printable 8.PS.3.a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 8.PS.3.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 7.PS.2.a
Formulate questions that require the collection or acquisition of data with a focus on histograms.
- 8.PS.2.a
Formulate questions that require the collection or acquisition of data with a focus on boxplots.
- 3.PS.1.a
Formulate questions that require the collection or acquisition of data.
- 4.PS.1.a
Formulate questions that require the collection or acquisition of data.
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