Unlocking Statistics: What Makes a Question Statistical?

Mathematics Grades 7th Grade 9:33 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson introduces the fundamental concept of statistical questions, focusing on identifying questions that require collecting data with variability to answer. Students will learn to differentiate between statistical and non-statistical questions through real-world examples.

Video Resource

Statistical questions | Data and statistics | 6th grade | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 9:33
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Statistics involves collecting, presenting, and analyzing data.
  • Variability refers to the degree to which data points differ from each other.
  • A statistical question requires collecting data with variability to answer.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define statistics and its key components.
  • Students will be able to explain the concept of variability in data.
  • Students will be able to differentiate between statistical and non-statistical questions.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they think statistics is. Briefly discuss their initial ideas. Introduce the video and explain that it will help define statistics and, most importantly, statistical questions.
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video 'Statistical questions | Data and statistics | 6th grade | Khan Academy'. Encourage students to take notes on the key definitions and examples provided.
  • Discussion (10 mins)
    After the video, facilitate a class discussion using the provided discussion questions. Clarify any misunderstandings and reinforce the key concepts.
  • Interactive Exercise (15 mins)
    Divide students into small groups and have them complete the interactive exercise. Each group should brainstorm additional examples of statistical and non-statistical questions, then share their examples with the class.
  • Wrap-up and Assessment (10 mins)
    Summarize the main points of the lesson. Administer the multiple-choice quiz to assess student understanding.

Interactive Exercises

  • Question Sort
    Provide students with a list of questions (e.g., 'What is the height of the tallest student in the class?', 'What are the heights of all the students in the class?'). Students should sort the questions into two categories: Statistical Questions and Non-Statistical Questions. Have groups compare their answers and explain their reasoning.

Discussion Questions

  • What does the word 'statistics' mean to you?
  • How is variability important when considering data?
  • Can you think of a real-world question that would require collecting data with variability to answer?
  • What are some examples of questions that would NOT be statistical questions?

Skills Developed

  • Critical thinking
  • Data interpretation
  • Question formulation
  • Analytical skills

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of the following is the BEST definition of statistics?

Correct Answer: The practice of collecting, presenting, and analyzing data.

Question 2:

What does 'variability' mean in the context of statistics?

Correct Answer: The degree to which data points are different from each other.

Question 3:

Which of the following is a statistical question?

Correct Answer: What is the average height of students in my class?

Question 4:

Why is it important to collect data with variability when answering a statistical question?

Correct Answer: Because variability allows us to analyze patterns and draw meaningful conclusions.

Question 5:

Which of the following is NOT a statistical question?

Correct Answer: How many siblings does my neighbor have?

Question 6:

What is the first step you should take to see if you need to use your statistical toolkit?

Correct Answer: Think about what data is needed to answer the question.

Question 7:

Why isn't 'How much does my pet rock weigh?' a statistical question?

Correct Answer: It is too difficult to measure the weight of a rock.

Question 8:

What can you do once you've collected a pool of data that has variability?

Correct Answer: Represent the pool with measuring numbers.

Question 9:

When collecting data, what must be possible in order to have variability?

Correct Answer: Points should vary.

Question 10:

Is 'Am I tired?' a statistical question?

Correct Answer: No, because you need to collect data with variability.

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

________ is a broad category of things that you might do with data.

Correct Answer: Statistics

Question 2:

Statistics generally deals with ________ data.

Correct Answer: collecting

Question 3:

________ is the degree to which data points are different from each other.

Correct Answer: Variability

Question 4:

A statistical question needs to collect data with ________.

Correct Answer: variability

Question 5:

Questions like 'How much does my pet grapefruit weigh?' only collect one ________.

Correct Answer: data point

Question 6:

Questions like, 'Am I hungry?' does not collect data with ________.

Correct Answer: variability

Question 7:

If I said, 'How many teeth do all the mothers that I know have on average?' that would be ________.

Correct Answer: statistical

Question 8:

If I said, 'How much time do the members of my family spend eating per year?' that is a ________ question.

Correct Answer: statistical

Question 9:

If I said, 'On average how many times have my co-workers watched Star Wars?' then I'm gonna have to collect data with ________.

Correct Answer: variability

Question 10:

________ is the first thing we should think about when we go into the world of statistics.

Correct Answer: variability

Educational Standards

7.D.1:Interpret and analyze data, creating the most appropriate display, using a variety of tools. 7.D.1.1:Design simple experiments, collect data, and calculate measures of center (mean, median, and mode) and spread (range and interquartile range). Use these quantities to draw conclusions about the data collected and make predictions.

Teaching Materials

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