Grade 8 Sample Lesson
Statistics & Probability - 8.SP.A.1
Start by downloading the
Construct and interpret scatter plots for bivariate measurement data to investigate patterns of association between two quantities. Describe patterns such as clustering, outliers, positive or negative association, linear association, and non-linear association.
LESSON: CHOLERA OUTBREAK
What are the data showing?
Scatter plots are useful for displaying exact data, showing patterns in that data and for determining the correlation between two variables. In Cholera Outbreak!, Dr. John Snow and his sister, Annabelle, are distraught over the outbreak of cholera in London and feel the people are not getting adequate help from public offices. Dr. Snow believes the current theory of cholera being spread through the air is incorrect and has begun his own research to try to identify the true source. The data provided are the doctor’s six scatter plots, each showing the number of cholera deaths in a home in relation to the distance of the home from the local water well.
Day 1
Test Trainer Pro
7 to 10 minutes
The Math Simulator
40 to 50 minutes
1.Immersion
Play Immersion video, whole-class.
Restate the question: What are the data showing?
Facilitate classroom discussion; ask students: "What do we need to know?"
2.Data & Computation
Print and copy the Data Artifact and distribute to students.
Allow students work time. Answer their questions with other questions to push their thinking. Ask students: "Does your answer make sense?" Withhold confirmation of the answer.
Consider using a sharing protocol leading to mathematical insights and/or highlighting misconceptions.
Allow students to revise their work.
3.Resolution
Play Resolution video, whole-class.
Answer: The data ultimately show that the Broad Street water well is a likely source of the cholera because the scatter plot shows that as the distance a home is from the well increases, the number of cholera deaths increases.
Have students compare their strategy to that shown in the video.
Teacher Instruction
8 to 10 minutes
Deliver a brief, clear lecture using your preferred method (Interactive white-board/Slide Deck/Whiteboard).
The Teacher Instruction part of the Detailed Lesson Plan includes statements you might make, images you might show and examples you might want to use. Please customize it to your needs and to the needs of your students.
The lecture should:
Connect to The Math Simulator story as often as possible
Bridge student strategies to the actual math of the standard
Formalize the math of the standard
Introduce other parts of the standard not included in The Math Simulator components
Day 2
Test Trainer Pro
7 to 10 minutes
Simulation Trainer
20 to 40 minutes
Students should be prepared with pencil, paper and headphones.
Tell them their goal is to correctly answer a series of questions all in a row to earn green dots. They are also tasked with teaching their classmates so that EVERYONE earns their green dots.
Instruct students to navigate to bit.ly/8SPA1-SimTrainer and click BEGIN. Work to completion or until time runs out.
Data for this component will not be saved for you or your students in this Sample Mode. For a 30-day trial of the complete toolset, contact us at info@midschoolmath.com.
Practice Printable
8 to 10 minutes
If time permits:
Print and copy the Practice Printable and distribute to students.
Have students begin to work on the front page.
Options for use:
Exit/Entry ticket
Differentiation & grouping for Day 3
Day 3
Test Trainer Pro
7 to 10 minutes
Practice Printable & Tutorial
10 to 20 minutes
Play Tutorial Video, whole-class, to show a worked example from the Practice Printable.
Group students if desired, based on Exit Ticket or previous day's work.
Have students continue their work on the Practice Printable.
Options for use:
Exit/Entry ticket
Differentiation & grouping
Stations
Homework
Consider using protocols that promote student collaboration and discourse.
Example: I Wonder, I Notice (8-10 min): Following a completed whole-class assignment, set ground rules for peer critique, including being thoughtful, specific, and helpful (≈1 min). Choose a student to be "the originator" who is tasked to explain his or her approach and solution to a problem (≈2 min), while other students listen only. Then ask other students to ask "the originator" clarifying questions or comments that start with 'I wonder' and 'I notice' (≈5-6 min).
Student Reflection
30 to 40 minutes
Students should be prepared with colored pencils and white paper.
Print and copy the Student Reflection Rubric and distribute to students.
Instruct students to use the rubric to begin creating a personal reflection based this sample lesson. If time is limited, this task may need to be completed outside of class.
Hang completed reflections in your classroom or in the hallway.
Day 4
Test Trainer Pro
7 to 10 minutes
Clicker Quiz
Approx. 40 minutes
Teacher should:
Launch the Clicker Quiz and project, whole-class.
Students should:
Be prepared with pencil and paper
Access the Virtual Clicker at http://bit.ly/MyClicker
Enter the Quiz Code on the Virtual Clicker
Students will vote on each question and should be given opportunities to discuss strategies and answers together on most questions.
Based on the class distribution for each question, consider:
Giving a mini-lesson
Highlighting misconceptions
Allowing students to explain to other students
Celebrate successes!