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the lesson
Overview:
In this classroom activity, students are introduced to
the concepts of central tendency and variation. Students
line up by birthday in twelve lines, one for each month, and
form a human histogram. The histogram provides a visual
illustration of
central tendency, and allows for the introduction of the
concept of probability, i.e., the probability that two
people will share the same birthday.
Learning Objectives or Student
Outcomes:
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Introduce ideas of central tendency and
variation
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Calculate median and identify mode
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Illustrate mean visually
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Introduce probability
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Introduce the graphing technique of a histogram
Length of Lesson:
20
minutes
Team Size/Composition:
This is a
full class exercise. Though, if the class is too large, you
might divide the class in half and make two histograms. I
have divided a class into a quarter before and created the
histogram in one section of the class only while the other
students watched. I have done the exercise with up to 60 or
65 students. Fewer than 24 and the birthday probability
becomes too low.
How is positive interdependence
ensured?
One single
individual cannot be a histogram alone. In fact, the larger
the number, the better the histogram.
How is individual accountability
built in to the project?
We
actually leave the classroom and go outside. Everyone
participates since everyone has a birthday. I have been in
a situation with younger children where a teacher thought
that a child did not know his birthday, but that child
placed himself as if he did know his birthday..
Basis or
Components of Assessment:
Students should have a general idea of mean, median, mode,
and variance. This is an introductory lesson only.
Homework, projects, quizzes, or exams on the basic
descriptive statistics can follow.
Team Skills
Needed for Success:
Communication
Materials Needed
by Students:
NONE
Content Lesson
Links:
Step by Step Instructions
Handout
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Step by Step Instructions
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