• 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. Distance from lamp (cm) → Bubbles from pondweed per minute 5 → 59 10 → 53 30 → 47 40 → 41 25 → 35 What happens to “Bubbles from pondweed per minute” as “Distance from lamp (cm)” increases? (it increases / it goes up then down / it decreases / it stays the same) → it decreasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
2. Number of cells → Bulb brightness (lux) 5 → 25 10 → 29 30 → 33 40 → 37 10 → 41 What happens to “Bulb brightness (lux)” as “Number of cells” increases? (it stays the same / it goes up then down / it decreases / it increases) → 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 → 71 4 → 63 6 → 55 40 → 47 25 → 39 What happens to “Bubbles from pondweed per minute” as “Distance from lamp (cm)” increases? (it stays the same / it decreases / it increases / it goes up then down) → it decreasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?

• 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.

• 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 ÷ 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.

• 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: 20, 23 and 17 °C. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 20 °CPrompt: Add the three readings.
2. Four repeat readings of a pulse rate after exercise (bpm): 122, 170, 121, 124. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (170 / 124 / 121 / 122) → 170Prompt: Most of the readings are close together.

• 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.

• 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): 100, 98, 99, 137. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (137 / 100 / 98 / 99) → 137Prompt: Most of the readings are close together.
2. Four repeat readings of the temperature rise in a reaction (°C): 18, 17, 16, 26. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place. → 17 °CPrompt: First find the reading that does not fit.

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