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Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 30 minutes

Repeat readings, means and anomalies

Working scientifically

CCSS NGSS.SEP 5England: KS3 Working scientifically

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Repeat readings, means and anomalies.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Reading tables and line graphs

Leads to: Accuracy, precision, errors and significant figures; Interpreting data from tables and graphs

Materials: Simple equipment for a fair test, Results table template, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Reading tables and line graphs). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Number of cells → Bulb brightness (lux) 10 → 25 10 → 28 6 → 31 8 → 34 50 → 37 What happens to “Bulb brightness (lux)” as “Number of cells” increases? (it stays the same / it decreases / it increases / it goes up then down) → it increasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
  2. Parachute area (cm²) → Time to fall (s) 5 → 28 20 → 32 30 → 36 8 → 40 50 → 44 What happens to “Time to fall (s)” as “Parachute area (cm²)” increases? (it goes up then down / it stays the same / it increases / it decreases) → it increasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
  3. Distance from lamp (cm) → Bubbles from pondweed per minute 5 → 66 20 → 59 6 → 52 8 → 45 25 → 38 What happens to “Bubbles from pondweed per minute” as “Distance from lamp (cm)” increases? (it goes up then down / it stays the same / it increases / it decreases) → it decreasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a simple experiment with one thing changed and ask what makes it a fair test.
  • Share the objective: Repeat readings, means and anomalies. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: A group measured a pulse rate after exercise three times: 103, 101 and 100 bpm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.
  • Step 1: 103 + 101 + 100 = 304
  • Step 2: 304 Ă· 3 = 101.33
  • Step 3: So the answer is: 101.3 bpm
  • Answer: 101.3 bpm
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. A group measured the temperature rise in a reaction three times: 10, 9 and 9 °C. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 9.3 °CPrompt: Add the three readings.
  2. Four repeat readings of how far a toy car travelled (cm): 104, 69, 72, 68. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (104 / 69 / 68 / 72) → 104Prompt: Most of the readings are close together.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Four repeat readings of a pulse rate after exercise (bpm): 191, 132, 133, 134. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (191 / 133 / 134 / 132) → 191Prompt: Most of the readings are close together.
  2. A group measured how far a toy car travelled three times: 73, 76 and 76 cm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 75 cmPrompt: Add the three readings.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Reading tables and line graphs.
  • Use concrete materials: simple equipment for a fair test.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Accuracy, precision, errors and significant figures; Interpreting data from tables and graphs.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-6.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Repeat readings, means and anomalies

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Four repeat readings of a pulse rate after exercise (bpm): 112, 113, 111, 70. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place.

    Answerbpm

  2. Question 2

    A group measured a pulse rate after exercise three times: 110, 112 and 109 bpm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

    Answerbpm

  3. Question 3

    Four repeat readings of the temperature rise in a reaction (°C): 25, 19, 15, 19. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 25
    • B. 15
    • C. 19
  4. Question 4

    Four repeat readings of how far a toy car travelled (cm): 131, 89, 87, 88. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place.

    Answercm

  5. Question 5

    A group measured the time for a ball to roll down a ramp three times: 26, 26 and 29 s. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

    Answers

  6. Question 6

    Four repeat readings of how far a toy car travelled (cm): 108, 70, 74, 72. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 108
    • B. 72
    • C. 70
    • D. 74

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Answer key: Repeat readings, means and anomalies

  1. 1. 112 bpm

  2. 2. 110.3 bpm

  3. 3. A. 25

  4. 4. 88 cm

  5. 5. 27 s

  6. 6. A. 108