Practice comparing groups: Maine lake fish data

Use this mini lesson to practice using dot plots to comparing group within a fish species dataset.

Details

Activity Type:

Mini-Lesson

Types of Instruction:

Data Practice

Grades:

6, 7, 8

Subjects:

Life Science

Topics:

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

Statistical Concepts:

Group comparison, Variability

Skills:

Comparing groups

Graph Types:

Dot plot

Standards:

Practice 1

Asking questions and defining problems

Practice 4

Analyzing and interpreting data

Practice 5

Using mathematics and computational thinking

Practice 7

Engaging in argument from evidence

Practice 8

Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Crosscutting 3

Scale, proportion, and quantity

HS-LS2-1

Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.

MS-LS2-4

Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

HS-LS2-2

Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.

6.SP-4

Display numerical data in plots on a number line, including dot plots, histograms, and box plots.

7.SP.3

Informally assess the degree of visual overlap of two numerical data distributions with similar variabilities, measuring the difference between the centers by expressing it as a multiple of a measure of variability.

8.SP-1

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 nonlinear association.

Literacy.RI.7.4

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.

Literacy.RI.8.4

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

Literacy.RI.11-12.7

Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem.

Literacy.W.7.1

Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

Literacy.W.7.2

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

Literacy.W.8.1

Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

Literacy.W.8.2

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

Literacy.W.9-10.1

Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

Literacy.W.9-10.2

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

Literacy.RST.9-10.4

Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9-10 texts and topics.

Literacy.RST.9-10.7

Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.

Activity Files