Examples of what pupils should know and be able to do
Given a data set with a stated mean and median, say what the effect will be of changing one or more values of the data set.
Pupils need to explain the individual elements of a bar graph. They should be able to compare values of one element with another, e.g. there are more boys with size 6 feet than there are with size 10 feet.
Probing questions
List a small set of data that has a mean of 5.
List a small set of data that has a mean of 5 and a range of 10.
List a small set of data that has a range of 12 and a mean of 6.
How did you work this out?
Make up a statement or question for this chart or graph using one or more of the following key words: total, range, mode, fraction, percentage, proportion.
What if pupils find this a barrier?
Place cards on a number line.
Repeat, gradually increasing the largest value shown on the cards. Each time, ask the pupil to put a finger on the line where he or she thinks the median will be.
Do the same again, but decrease the smallest value shown on the card. Ask the pupil what is happening to the totals of the cards and therefore what will happen to the mean.
Revisit the approaches in Steps 2, 3 and 4.
- Securing the progression in handling data (DfES 0658-2003G) - Acrobat pdf document (48Kb)
- T5 Stinger 15 - Microsoft word document (36Kb)
- T5 Snapper 16 - Microsoft word document (40Kb)
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