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Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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. Ramp height (cm) → Distance travelled (cm) 5 → 27 4 → 33 30 → 39 40 → 45 10 → 51 What happens to “Distance travelled (cm)” as “Ramp height (cm)” 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?
  2. Ramp height (cm) → Distance travelled (cm) 10 → 37 20 → 41 30 → 45 40 → 49 10 → 53 What happens to “Distance travelled (cm)” as “Ramp height (cm)” increases? (it increases / it decreases / it goes up then down / it stays the same) → it increasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
  3. Water temperature (°C) → Time to dissolve (s) 10 → 40 20 → 35 6 → 30 8 → 25 10 → 20 What happens to “Time to dissolve (s)” as “Water temperature (°C)” increases? (it increases / it stays the same / it goes up then down / it decreases) → it decreasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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, 13 and 8 °C. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 10.3 °CPrompt: Add the three readings.
  2. Four repeat readings of the time for a ball to roll down a ramp (s): 32, 20, 21, 20. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (32 / 20 / 21) → 32Prompt: Most of the readings are close together.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Four repeat readings of the temperature rise in a reaction (°C): 12, 14, 10, 3. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place. → 12 °CPrompt: First find the reading that does not fit.
  2. A group measured the temperature rise in a reaction three times: 17, 14 and 18 °C. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 16.3 °CPrompt: 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/ 8

  1. Question 1

    A group measured the temperature rise in a reaction three times: 15, 17 and 15 °C. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

    Answer°C

  2. Question 2

    Four repeat readings of the temperature rise in a reaction (°C): 9, 10, 20, 7. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place.

    Answer°C

  3. Question 3

    Four repeat readings of a pulse rate after exercise (bpm): 103, 105, 105, 143. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 143
    • B. 105
    • C. 103
  4. Question 4

    A group measured how far a toy car travelled three times: 52, 54 and 52 cm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

    Answercm

  5. Question 5

    Four repeat readings of the time for a ball to roll down a ramp (s): 49, 38, 35, 35. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place.

    Answers

  6. Question 6

    Four repeat readings of the time for a ball to roll down a ramp (s): 39, 21, 38, 38. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 21
    • B. 38
    • C. 39
  7. Question 7

    A group measured how far a toy car travelled three times: 90, 91 and 92 cm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

    Answercm

  8. Question 8

    Four repeat readings of the time for a ball to roll down a ramp (s): 35, 37, 17, 36. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place.

    Answers

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Answer key: Repeat readings, means and anomalies

  1. 1. 15.7 °C

  2. 2. 8.7 °C

  3. 3. A. 143

  4. 4. 52.7 cm

  5. 5. 36 s

  6. 6. A. 21

  7. 7. 91 cm

  8. 8. 36 s