Students will use a line plot graph to display a categorical data set with measurements in fractions of a unit.

In this task, students will use a line plot to display a data set that includes measurements in fractions of a unit. The data set today will describe the wingspan of several red spotted purple butterflies. Students will use their line plot graph to display the wingspans, and determine the range of the data set. Some of the big ideas that may emerge in today’s task include: 

• There are different types of data;
• Categorical data refers to a data type that can be identified based on the names or labels given to them;
• Categorical data is either nominal or ordinal; 
• Bar graphs are used to compare and contrast numbers, frequencies or other measures of distinct categories of data;
• The numerical values of a data set need to be considered when a scale is chosen;
• A fraction can represent a part of a whole;
• The range is the difference between the lowest and highest values within a data set; 
• The range is calculated by subtracting the lowest value from the highest value. 

Show students this video:

Then, ask students:

What do you notice?
What do you wonder?

Give students 60 seconds (or more) to do a rapid write on a piece of paper.

Then, ask students to share with their neighbours for another 60 seconds.

Finally, allow students to share with the entire group.

Some of the noticing and wondering that came up in a class recently included:

• I notice a butterfly. 
• I notice a measuring tape.
• I wonder if that is the same butterfly, or three different butterflies.
• I wonder why they are measuring them. 
• I wonder how big their wings are.

At this point, you can answer any notices and wonders that you can cross off the list right away. 

What is the wingspan width of each butterfly? Make an estimate

Login/Join to access the entire Teacher Guide, downloadable slide decks and printable handouts for this lesson and all problem based units.

Login/Join to access the entire Teacher Guide, downloadable slide decks and printable handouts for this lesson and all problem based units.

Login/Join to access the entire Teacher Guide, downloadable slide decks and printable handouts for this lesson and all problem based units.

Login/Join to access the entire Teacher Guide, downloadable slide decks and printable handouts for this lesson and all problem based units.

Login/Join to access the entire Teacher Guide, downloadable slide decks and printable handouts for this lesson and all problem based units.

Login/Join to access the entire Teacher Guide, downloadable slide decks and printable handouts for this lesson and all problem based units.

Login/Join to access the entire Teacher Guide, downloadable slide decks and printable handouts for this lesson and all problem based units.

Provide students an opportunity to reflect on their learning by offering these consolidation prompts to be completed independently.

Consolidation Prompt #1:

Login/Join to access the entire Teacher Guide, downloadable slide decks and printable handouts for this lesson and all problem based units.

Consolidation Prompt #2:

Login/Join to access the entire Teacher Guide, downloadable slide decks and printable handouts for this lesson and all problem based units.

Consolidation Prompt #3:

Login/Join to access the entire Teacher Guide, downloadable slide decks and printable handouts for this lesson and all problem based units.

We suggest collecting this reflection as an additional opportunity to engage in the formative assessment process to inform next steps for individual students as well as how the whole class will proceed.

Download Editable/Printable Handout

Become a member to access purposeful practice to display via your projector/TV, download the PDF to upload to your LMS and/or print for students to have a physical copy

JOIN TO DOWNLOAD