Sunshine State Standard

MA.A.4.2.1

Materials

For each group of two: scratch paper; one 12" x18" piece of construction paper; glue; scissors. For the class: meter tapes; sticks or string; construction paper strips; 2-3 meters of roving yarn; 20 small paper squares.

What to do

1. Give student pairs of scratch paper and glue with which to experiment. Allow sufficient time for students to test strategies using the scratch paper and develop a plan of action. 2. Distribute the activity sheet and have students record their plan. 3. Give each pair the piece of construction paper and have them construct a chain. 4. Instruct students to measure the length of their chain. They can round to the nearest meter or centimeter and record the results. 5. Bring the class together and ask them how the range for the class could be found. Finding the range will determine the numbering for the line plot. 6. Give each group a paper strip and have them form a loop around the yarn and under the number showing the length of their chain rounded to the nearest meter. If more than one group has the same length, their loops should be attached to the preceding loops in a chain-like fashion. 7. Direct students to record the class line plot on their activity sheet by numbering the line and drawing the loop. 8. Have students identify the range and mode. Hold a concluding discussion.

Additional Information

1. what things did you think about when you were making your plans? 2. Share your plan. 3. What plan was the most successful? What was good about the plan? 4. If you were to try again, what would you do differently? 5. If you had a 15-sheet package of the same-sized paper you used today, would your chain go around the perimeter of your classroom? How many time?

Submitted by

Dascha Finley

Lee County
Ft. Myers, FL
daschak@lee.k12.fl.us