Math lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 minutes
Line plots and tables
Statistics and probability
CCSS 4.MD.B.4CCSS 5.MD.B.2England: Y4 Statistics
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Line plots and tables.
- 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: Scaled bar graphs and pictograms; Add and subtract fractions with like denominators
Leads to: Line graphs; Line plots with fractions of a unit; Recognise statistical questions
Materials: Squared paper for charts, Class survey data, Sticky notes for a live chart, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Scaled bar graphs and pictograms; Add and subtract fractions with like denominators). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- In Ava's pictogram, each ★ stands for 2 books. The row for "Mystery" shows 5 stars. How many mystery books is that? → 10Prompt: Multiply the number of whole stars by 2.
- In Ines's pictogram, each ★ stands for 10 books. The row for "Mystery" shows 4 and a half stars. How many mystery books is that? → 45Prompt: Multiply the number of whole stars by 10.
- In Lucia's pictogram, each ★ stands for 10 books. The row for "Mystery" shows 6 stars. How many mystery books is that? → 60Prompt: Multiply the number of whole stars by 10.
Hook · 5 min
- Take a quick class survey (favorite fruit, travel to school) and ask what the results tell us.
- Share the objective: Line plots and tables. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Leo measured some leaves (in inches) and made a line plot: 1/4: ×, 2/4: ××, 3/4: ×××, 4/4: ×××××. How many leaves were measured in total?
- Step 1: 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 = 11
- Answer: 11
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Mateo measured some leaves (in inches) and made a line plot: 1/4: ×××, 2/4: –, 3/4: –, 4/4: –. How many leaves were measured in total? → 3Prompt: Each × is one leaf.
- Omar measured some leaves (in inches) and made a line plot: 1/4: ××××, 2/4: ××, 3/4: ××××××, 4/4: ×××××. How many leaves were measured in total? → 17Prompt: Each × is one leaf.
You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Kwame measured some leaves (in inches) and made a line plot: 1/4: ×, 2/4: ×××, 3/4: ×××××, 4/4: ××. How many leaves were measured in total? → 11Prompt: Each × is one leaf.
- Zoe measured some leaves (in inches) and made a line plot: 1/4: –, 2/4: ××, 3/4: ×××, 4/4: ××. How many leaves were measured in total? → 7Prompt: Each × is one leaf.
Watch out for
- Forgetting to put data in order before finding the median.
- Reading a bar's height wrongly when the scale goes up in 2s or 5s.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Scaled bar graphs and pictograms.
- Use concrete materials: squared paper for charts.
- 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: Line graphs; Line plots with fractions of a unit; Recognise statistical questions.
- 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/math/grade-4.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder