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Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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. Water temperature (°C) → Time to dissolve (s) 2 → 56 20 → 50 15 → 44 40 → 38 10 → 32 What happens to “Time to dissolve (s)” as “Water temperature (°C)” increases? (it goes up then down / it decreases / it stays the same / it increases) → it decreasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
  2. Number of cells → Bulb brightness (lux) 5 → 33 20 → 37 30 → 41 40 → 45 50 → 49 What happens to “Bulb brightness (lux)” as “Number of cells” increases? (it stays the same / it goes up then down / it increases / it decreases) → it increasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
  3. Number of cells → Bulb brightness (lux) 2 → 37 10 → 43 6 → 49 20 → 55 50 → 61 What happens to “Bulb brightness (lux)” as “Number of cells” increases? (it stays the same / it increases / it decreases / it goes up then down) → it increasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?

Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 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.
  1. A group measured a pulse rate after exercise three times: 138, 135 and 136 bpm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 136.3 bpmPrompt: Add the three readings.
  2. Four repeat readings of how far a toy car travelled (cm): 88, 125, 90, 87. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (125 / 88 / 90 / 87) → 125Prompt: Most of the readings are close together.

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.
  1. A group measured a pulse rate after exercise three times: 115, 115 and 114 bpm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 114.7 bpmPrompt: Add the three readings.
  2. Four repeat readings of how far a toy car travelled (cm): 36, 69, 67, 67. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (36 / 67 / 69) → 36Prompt: Most of the readings are close together.

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/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Four repeat readings of the temperature rise in a reaction (°C): 8, 8, 8, 20. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 20
    • B. 8
  2. Question 2

    A group measured how far a toy car travelled three times: 66, 69 and 66 cm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

    Answercm

  3. Question 3

    Four repeat readings of how far a toy car travelled (cm): 78, 115, 80, 77. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place.

    Answercm

  4. Question 4

    Four repeat readings of a pulse rate after exercise (bpm): 128, 130, 180, 129. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 180
    • B. 129
    • C. 128
    • D. 130
  5. Question 5

    A group measured the temperature rise in a reaction three times: 17, 20 and 19 °C. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

    Answer°C

  6. Question 6

    Four repeat readings of a pulse rate after exercise (bpm): 112, 167, 114, 113. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place.

    Answerbpm

  7. Question 7

    Four repeat readings of how far a toy car travelled (cm): 52, 52, 77, 54. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 77
    • B. 54
    • C. 52
  8. Question 8

    A group measured how far a toy car travelled three times: 79, 81 and 78 cm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

    Answercm

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Answer key: Repeat readings, means and anomalies

  1. 1. A. 20

  2. 2. 67 cm

  3. 3. 78.3 cm

  4. 4. A. 180

  5. 5. 18.7 °C

  6. 6. 113 bpm

  7. 7. A. 77

  8. 8. 79.3 cm