Mean Median and Mode Lesson Plan
Mean Median and Mode Lesson Plan
Mean Median and Mode Lesson Plan
Expectations Addressed:
- collect data by conducting a surveyor an experiment to do with themselves, their environment, issues in
their school or community, or content from another subject, and record observations or measurements
- determine, through investigation, how well the set of data represents a population on the basis of the
method that was used to collect the data)
- demonstrate an understanding of mean (e.g. mean differs from median and mode because it is a value
that “balances” a set of data—like the center point of a lever), and use the mean to compare two sets of
data, with and without the use of technology)
Introduce a life concept: Has anyone heard of Statistics Canada? They call or
send a lot of surveys that have general questions based on a hypothesis that
they would like to determine if it is right or wrong. For example, I’m going to
hypothesize that most of this class has brown eyes. Look around the room. Ask
students to say if they have brown, blue, or green eyes. Score that on the
board.
Planning for Student Learning © 2016 ETFO/FEEO CHAPTER SIX | LESSON PLANNING – TEMPLATE 3
Now I’m going to calculate the mean (calculate the mean by displaying all the
numbers on the board, and dividing by all the numbers that are displayed)
Now let’s calculate the median (calculate by putting the numbers in order from
least to greatest, and find the middle number of the sample size. If there are
two, add the two numbers together, and divide by 2)
Now let’s calculate the mode (calculate by finding the most reoccurring
number)
That’s how Statistics Canada does most of their findings, alongside other
algorithms to help them create an accurate representation of a huge
population.
Let’s try an activity that might help you with understanding mean, median and
mode
Middle: You will be working with your elbow partner. In groups of 2, I want you to
complete the worksheet.
Instructions: The game is called Mean Wars. You and your partner will each
have 9 cards in front of you. You each will have to solve the mean, median
and mode for your own 9 cards. Before you start, I want you all to write down
your number sequence on the provided space on your worksheet. Once you
have solved your averages, I want you to switch partners with your
neighbouring table. You have to solve theirs as well. We will do this about 4-5
times. You may only use calculators to solve the mean if you find it difficult.
Wrap-up: Bring the worksheets up to me at the end and see what you got! I will be
checking the answers and doing the math myself to see what you’ve done.
Reflections:
Planning for Student Learning © 2016 ETFO/FEEO CHAPTER SIX | LESSON PLANNING – TEMPLATE 3