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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. Water temperature (°C) → Time to dissolve (s) 2 → 64 20 → 58 6 → 52 20 → 46 25 → 40 What happens to “Time to dissolve (s)” as “Water temperature (°C)” increases? (it decreases / it stays the same / it increases / it goes up then down) → it decreasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
  2. Parachute area (cm²) → Time to fall (s) 10 → 24 10 → 28 15 → 32 40 → 36 10 → 40 What happens to “Time to fall (s)” as “Parachute area (cm²)” increases? (it increases / it decreases / it stays the same / it goes up then down) → it increasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
  3. Water temperature (°C) → Time to dissolve (s) 10 → 49 20 → 43 15 → 37 20 → 31 25 → 25 What happens to “Time to dissolve (s)” as “Water temperature (°C)” increases? (it goes up then down / it increases / it decreases / it stays the same) → 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 ÷ 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 time for a ball to roll down a ramp three times: 32, 32 and 34 s. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 32.7 sPrompt: Add the three readings.
  2. Four repeat readings of a pulse rate after exercise (bpm): 131, 185, 133, 133. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (185 / 131 / 133) → 185Prompt: 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 a pulse rate after exercise (bpm): 74, 118, 121, 121. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (74 / 121 / 118) → 74Prompt: Most of the readings are close together.
  2. A group measured how far a toy car travelled three times: 51, 48 and 52 cm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 50.3 cmPrompt: 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

    Four repeat readings of the time for a ball to roll down a ramp (s): 34, 18, 32, 35. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 18
    • B. 34
    • C. 32
    • D. 35
  2. Question 2

    Four repeat readings of the temperature rise in a reaction (°C): 12, 12, 10, 3. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place.

    Answer°C

  3. Question 3

    A group measured the temperature rise in a reaction three times: 14, 11 and 12 °C. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

    Answer°C

  4. Question 4

    Four repeat readings of the temperature rise in a reaction (°C): 8, 18, 20, 19. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 8
    • B. 18
    • C. 19
    • D. 20
  5. Question 5

    Four repeat readings of the time for a ball to roll down a ramp (s): 32, 23, 19, 21. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place.

    Answers

  6. Question 6

    A group measured how far a toy car travelled three times: 58, 56 and 60 cm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

    Answercm

  7. Question 7

    Four repeat readings of the time for a ball to roll down a ramp (s): 29, 18, 30, 27. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)?

    • A. 18
    • B. 29
    • C. 30
    • D. 27
  8. Question 8

    Four repeat readings of a pulse rate after exercise (bpm): 126, 178, 124, 125. Leave out the anomalous reading and work out the mean of the rest, to 1 decimal place.

    Answerbpm

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Answer key: Repeat readings, means and anomalies

  1. 1. A. 18

  2. 2. 11.3 °C

  3. 3. 12.3 °C

  4. 4. A. 8

  5. 5. 21 s

  6. 6. 58 cm

  7. 7. A. 18

  8. 8. 125 bpm