We have begun our unit on Data, Graphs, and Probability. On Friday, we worked in small groups to look at one way to collect and display data by making line plots. By collecting data on our favorite season and the season when we were born, we focused on the difference between fact and opinion.
While we are years away from learning how to determine adequate sample size and margins of error, 5th grade students can understand the concepts in a general sense. Students brought up the difference in results found by different groups and the danger of generalizing small group results to the greater population. We also learned that we need to be careful when we interpret results.
Over the next few weeks we will be collecting, displaying, and interpreting data through observations and surveys. We will explore mean, median, mode and range with an eye to which provides us the best information about a data set.
Finally, we will spend some time on probability, looking at experiments, favorable outcomes, and how to calculate mathematical expectations. Look for your student to move from expressing probability as impossible, less likely, equally, more likely, and certain to using fractions.
As always, students should continue to practice their multiplication and division facts to keep up their fluency. A good exercise at home is to see if your student can name all of the factors of a number.
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