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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 → 55 10 → 48 30 → 41 8 → 34 50 → 27 What happens to “Time to dissolve (s)” as “Water temperature (°C)” increases? (it stays the same / it increases / it decreases / it goes up then down) → it decreasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
  2. Distance from lamp (cm) → Bubbles from pondweed per minute 2 → 49 10 → 43 15 → 37 20 → 31 25 → 25 What happens to “Bubbles from pondweed per minute” as “Distance from lamp (cm)” increases? (it increases / it decreases / it stays the same / it goes up then down) → it decreasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
  3. Water temperature (°C) → Time to dissolve (s) 5 → 59 20 → 54 15 → 49 8 → 44 50 → 39 What happens to “Time to dissolve (s)” as “Water temperature (°C)” increases? (it goes up then down / it increases / it stays the same / it decreases) → it decreasesPrompt: 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 the temperature rise in a reaction three times: 19, 16 and 17 °C. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 17.3 °CPrompt: Add the three readings.
  2. Four repeat readings of how far a toy car travelled (cm): 50, 26, 48, 49. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (26 / 50 / 48 / 49) → 26Prompt: 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: 139, 137 and 142 bpm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 139.3 bpmPrompt: Add the three readings.
  2. Four repeat readings of a pulse rate after exercise (bpm): 103, 103, 63, 104. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (63 / 103 / 104) → 63Prompt: 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

    A group measured how far a toy car travelled three times: 88, 85 and 85 cm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

    Answercm

  2. Question 2

    Four repeat readings of the time for a ball to roll down a ramp (s): 28, 30, 29, 39. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 39
    • B. 30
    • C. 28
    • D. 29
  3. Question 3

    Four repeat readings of the temperature rise in a reaction (°C): 20, 12, 22, 21. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place.

    Answer°C

  4. Question 4

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

    Answerbpm

  5. Question 5

    Four repeat readings of the time for a ball to roll down a ramp (s): 39, 54, 37, 38. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 54
    • B. 38
    • C. 39
    • D. 37
  6. Question 6

    Four repeat readings of the time for a ball to roll down a ramp (s): 35, 34, 50, 37. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place.

    Answers

  7. Question 7

    A group measured a pulse rate after exercise three times: 119, 118 and 117 bpm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

    Answerbpm

  8. Question 8

    Four repeat readings of the time for a ball to roll down a ramp (s): 33, 31, 35, 47. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 47
    • B. 33
    • C. 35
    • D. 31

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Answer key: Repeat readings, means and anomalies

  1. 1. 86 cm

  2. 2. A. 39

  3. 3. 21 °C

  4. 4. 110.7 bpm

  5. 5. A. 54

  6. 6. 35.3 s

  7. 7. 118 bpm

  8. 8. A. 47