Census Unit Summary

ON YOUR MARK, GET READY, DO STATISTICS

UNIT GOALS: This is an intertwined statistics unit that will provide:

Instruction and assessment for pre-algebra and Algebra I secondary students
Math and technology content instruction and assessment and pedagogical design and analysis for pre-service elementary teachers

GRADE LEVEL: 7-College

GENERAL SUBJECT AREA(S):

MINIMUM TIME REQUIRED FOR THE UNIT:

CONCEPTS LEARNED ACROSS ALL UNIT MODULES:

Secondary: data collection, organization, display and analysis
College: collecting, displaying, analyzing and interpreting quantitative data, development of a performance based assessment

STANDARDS ADDRESSED BY UNIT MODULES:

Mathematics Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (K-5)(0016)
Teaching strategies and activities that will aid in the development, delivery and evaluation of the following:

Curriculum components - for example, scope and sequence of skills and materials; appropriate materials and technology;
Problem solving - for example, investigate and understand content; formulate problems from everyday situations; develop strategies applicable to a wide range of problems; verify and interpret results; build student confidence; identify and solve problems that are developmentally appropriate
Probability and statistics - for example, counting, organizing, representing and interpreting data; intuitive concepts of chance
Hand-held calculators and computers - for example, justification of use; programs of instruction; appropriate use; use in problem solving and concept development
Classroom management and motivation - for example, efficient instruction; small group instruction; whole group instruction; atmosphere that encourages questions, conjectures, problem solving, and experimentation
Analysis of students' work - for example, what students do correctly; what concepts students are developing; misconceptions and errors; scoring; remediation, and acceleration; use of rubrics
Use of manipulatives and developmentally appropriate materials; variety and reliability
Content-specific pedagogy - for example, theories necessary for implementing sound representations of numeric and algebraic concepts

Use the calculator as a tool to explore patterns, make conjectures, make predictions, make generalizations; know when to use a calculator
Demonstrate an understanding of basic computer terminology and the roles of hardware and software; use "friendly" software (for example, spreadsheets, instruction packages)

Drafting - for example, knowledge of audience
Revising - for example, Praise-Question-Polish; restructuring; deleting and adding information and details; conferencing
Editing - for example, spell-check; peer or teacher conferencing

3.1.1 - The student will design and/or conduct an investigation that uses statistical methods to analyze data and communicate results.
3.1.2 - The student will use the measures of central tendency and variability to make informed decisions.
3.2.1 - The student will make informed decisions and predictions based upon the results of simulations and data from research.

Maryland State Department of Education
Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (grade 8):
Student will be able to:

Collect, organize, display data for given situations using appropriate displays such as circle graphs, box-and-whisper plots, scatter plots, and glyphs
Use data analysis to write an evaluative argument in a real life situation

TECHNOLOGY NEEDED IN UNIT MODULES:

Computers with Internet access and WORD, Excel, CD-ROM, Blackboard/Jenzbar threaded discussion boards, Statistical Abstract of the U.S.
Graphing calculators, LCD Overhead Display and Graph-Link
Options for probeware and web wacker program

TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES EMPLOYED:

Finding real data, using Internet access and CD-ROM
Using graphing calculators and Excel to display and aid in analysis
Possibilities for telecollaboration between preservice teachers and middle school students

TITLE OF EACH MODULE

UNIT CULMINATING ACTIVITY:

Pre-Service: Using U.S. Census data from CD-ROM to construct student materials (worksheets and spreadsheet(s)) for a Performance Based Assessment for pre-algebra and Algebra I students and the administration of the PBA's to middle school students.
Secondary: The completion of a performance based assessment which requires students to analyze, interpret, and predict trends in United States populations during the 20th and 21st centuries.

UNIT AUTHORS: